Posted by Mark Y. on January 20, 1999 at 13:16:59:
In Reply to: Bummed and Depressed posted by Jackie on January 20, 1999 at 11:09:51:
Sorry about the pain. I've been there. I just started taking Verapamil for the first time in Dec. I wanted to tell you what my Neuro said and how he is dosing me.
I generally cycle in OCT-NOV and again late Jan-Mar. I saw my new Neuro after my Dec. cycle and he put me on the Verapapmil. He started me on 240mg SR tablet dosing as follows:
1/2 tab for 7 days
1 tab for 14 days
1 tab AM and 1/2 tab @ bedtime
I'm currently taking 360mg a day and no side effects other than constipation. Since I'm pretty consistent with my cycles the doc wanted to see if the drug would help as a preventative treatment. After I finish my cycle times of the year he wants me to come off the Verapamil and see what happens. Hopefully I will only be taking it from October-April. As a side note I only average 45 min. episodes so most abortives don't make sense for me.
I THINK I have had some HAs over the last week but it's hard to tell, I have had a very light dull thud CH side, inflamed nasal passage, droopy eye and general CH grumpiness, but no real pain.
You might talk to your doc. and see if you should dose up for a while and see if you can break your cycle. Then maybe come off slowly later. PLEASE this is only advice talk to your doc.
As far as the sleepliness goes, during a cycle I take Tylenol PM every night before I go to bed. I always get a HA within the hour of waking up and I'm kinda groggy but I sleep through the night. I get off the PM as soon as my cycle is over. I usually have trouble getting to sleep for a week or two afterwards but hey pick your poison.
I hope you feel better. If you have any questions email me, and hang in there.