Posted by Ken on January 21, 1999 at 01:30:10:
In Reply to: Bummed and Depressed posted by Jackie on January 20, 1999 at 11:09:51:
Hi Jackie;
I had cluster HAs for years not knowing much about them. They would generally occur once a year, and last for the requisite 8 weeks or so. About 3 years ago, I was prescribed Verapamil, among a few other drugs, for High BP. I did not have a cluster cycle for those 3 years that I took Verapamil - - But didn't connect the drug with the headaches at the time.
This fall, for whatever stupid reason, my doctor took me off of Verapamil, and shortly before Christmas I started having these super head bangers every night. I now suffer from midnight or 1AM until 6-7AM and then end up sleeping in the morning. Not good for my business, family, or social life in general.
I am back on Verapamil, 240mg/day, and as it "builds up" in my system, the clusters are more easily controlled. I have been on it for about a week now, and it's after 1AM & no HA yet. It will come, this is almost a given, but Benadryl, nasal spray and pacing will cut it to less than 1 hour (I sure do hope . . . :-)
I included some personal detail, but the important aspect seems to be that I was free of these things all the while I was taking Verapamil for the long haul. I've also read somewhere that it can take weeks until "The Big V" works as a true & proper preventative. Keep with it, I really don't believe you will build a tolerance to it. I did not in 3 years.
Hope this helps,
Best Regards,
Ken