Author |
Topic: Verapamil and Constipation! Grr! (Read 9736 times) |
|
Rumeke
New Board Newbie
I love YaBB 1G - SP1!
Gender: 
Posts: 9
|
 |
Verapamil and Constipation! Grr!
« on: Mar 27th, 2008, 10:19am » |
 Quote  Modify
|
It's been awhile since I posted here. My family Dr. put me on Verapamil for my nightime clusters plus my blood pressure. It has worked beautifully and I have been cluster free since January. Started with just 240 mg HCL and recently increased to 480 for my BP.
I am just wondering if anyone has found a solution for the constipation that can come with the Verapamil? I guess I should get back with my Dr on this but thought I would check here with the 'experts'!
Thanks in advance!
|
|
 IP Logged |
|
|
|
Qazpur
New Board Newbie
Gender: 
Posts: 19
|
 |
Re: Verapamil and Constipation! Grr!
« Reply #1 on: Mar 27th, 2008, 12:16pm » |
Quote Modify
|
Vitamin C and loads of fibre do the trick for me, together with magnesium citrate tabs when needed.
as far as i know magnesium in large doses can interfere with absorption of certain meds in which case it may be adviseable to clear with the doc just to be sure.
qaz
|
|
IP Logged |
|
|
|
DennisM1045
New Board Hall of Famer
One wave at a time!
  
Gender:
Posts: 1639
|
|
Re: Verapamil and Constipation! Grr!
« Reply #2 on: Mar 27th, 2008, 1:08pm » |
Quote Modify
|
Your instincts are right on. You should talke it over with your Dr.
Over the counter fiber supplements are a good idea. There are plenty of them and they shouldn't do you any harm.
There is some good reference material here: http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/otc-center/otc-medicines/86 1.html
Hope everything comes out ok ( Sorry, I couldn't resist  )
-Dennis-
|
|
IP Logged |
Dancing the dance since 1995 ... Family member since 2007 ... No longer alone
|
|
|
Bob_Johnson
New Board Hall of Famer
Gender:
Posts: 1796
|
|
Re: Verapamil and Constipation! Grr!
« Reply #3 on: Mar 27th, 2008, 2:25pm » |
Quote Modify
|
My goodness!, with laxatives being second to pizza in the American food palate......
My weakness is dried fruit--use it as a nibble food. But with some experience you can find a daily quantity which is both good to the taste and effective for your problem.
|
|
IP Logged |
Bob Johnson
|
|
|
Brew
CH.com Alumnus
New Board Hall of Famer
Low Four!
Gender:
Posts: 6515
|
|
Re: Verapamil and Constipation! Grr!
« Reply #4 on: Mar 27th, 2008, 3:47pm » |
Quote Modify
|
The way it was explained to me, if you have a good amount of fiber in your diet before you start taking verapamil, the constipation that comes afterward is not due to a lack of fiber. It is a chemically induced constipation, so extra fiber isn't a great solution. I was told to take a natural vegetable laxative like Senecot.
I also found that the whole constipation thing kind of evened itself out after a few weeks, like my body figured out how to deal with it. But you're right, it can be a literal pain in the ass.
|
|
IP Logged |
Always remember that you're unique, just like everyone else.
|
|
|
Rumeke
New Board Newbie
I love YaBB 1G - SP1!
Gender:
Posts: 9
|
|
Re: Verapamil and Constipation! Grr!
« Reply #5 on: Mar 27th, 2008, 8:28pm » |
Quote Modify
|
Thanks oh wise ones! I'll check in with the Doc and see what he says. I'm trying to keep my fluids up and fruit does seem to help...also yogurt with live cultures for some reason.
I'm trying not to look a gift horse in the mouth since the CH are absent but you are right...a pain in the arse! 
|
|
IP Logged |
|
|
|
jon019
CH.com Alumnus
New Board Junior
"Ya gotta believe!"
Gender:
Posts: 75
|
|
Re: Verapamil and Constipation! Grr!
« Reply #6 on: Mar 27th, 2008, 9:04pm » |
Quote Modify
|
I'm taking 480-720 mg/day of Verapamil. Once every couple of months I find that "things" come to a complete stop. Usually the result of neglecting one or more of the following:
Drinking LOTS of water, eating LOTS of fruit, and taking 1000 mg/day of magnesium. Keeps me going, and going and going...
As others have said, consult with your doc first!
Regards,
Jon
|
|
IP Logged |
"The beginning of wisdom is to call things by their right names." (that's cluster headache doc)
Chinese proverb
|
|
|
thomas
CH.com Alumnus
New Board Hall of Famer
"Hit like a phillips head into my brain."
Gender:
Posts: 3281
|
|
Re: Verapamil and Constipation! Grr!
« Reply #7 on: Mar 28th, 2008, 8:55am » |
Quote Modify
|
Magnesium can help with that.
|
|
IP Logged |
Religion and sex are powerplays. Manipulate the people for the money they pay. Selling skin, selling God, the numbers look the same on their credit cards. Triptans cause rebounds. Learn it, believe it, live it. I use triptans as the absolute LAST RESORT when treating my CH.
|
|
|
EDHASFORDS
New Board Newbie
God loves you and so do I......
Gender:
Posts: 28
|
|
Re: Verapamil and Constipation! Grr!
« Reply #8 on: Mar 28th, 2008, 1:34pm » |
Quote Modify
|
I was put on Miralax (powder form). It works like a charm. You can get it over the counter.
I have been on 720mg. Verapamil the past week!
First relief in several months. I started with a Pred taper and then the Verapamil.
Good luck! 
|
|
IP Logged |
CALLIE BRO.
|
|
|
E-Double
CH.com Alumnus
New Board Hall of Famer
Are we ourselves?
Gender:
Posts: 6458
|
|
Re: Verapamil and Constipation! Grr!
« Reply #9 on: Mar 28th, 2008, 1:50pm » |
Quote Modify
|
on Mar 28th, 2008, 8:55am, John Michael Smith wrote:| Magnesium can help with that. |
|
sure did 
|
|
IP Logged |
I can't believe that I have to bang my
Head against this wall again
But the blows they have just a little more
Space in-between them
Gonna take a breath and try again.
|
|
|
MinxKittten
New Board Newbie
Supporter
Posts: 50
|
|
Re: Verapamil and Constipation! Grr!
« Reply #10 on: Apr 9th, 2008, 11:57pm » |
Quote Modify
|
my hubby's on verpimil too, and it major constipates him and he eats tons of fruits and fiber, so that doesn't help.
we were just at the neuro doc this week and asked about it and said
MIRALAX like someone else here said.
i've used that before and it works good. thy that at nite so you can go in the morning. 
|
|
IP Logged |
|
|
|
Karla
CH.com Alumnus
New Board Hall of Famer
One of Many and Never Alone - Join OUCH
Gender:
Posts: 3090
|
|
Re: Verapamil and Constipation! Grr!
« Reply #11 on: Apr 10th, 2008, 9:55am » |
Quote Modify
|
I had to use mirlax because the over the counter products such as laxatives and fiber and other things just didn't cut it. I started using mirlax when a script was needed for it. I no longer use verapamil. Nice to hear you don't need a script for mirlax any more. It sure worked miricles for me.
|
|
IP Logged |
Karla
suffer chronic ch
ch.com groupie since 1999
Proud Mom of Chris USMC Semper Fi
|
|
|
Backstage_Pro
New Board Newbie
I hate the friggin' demons !!!
Gender:
Posts: 4
|
|
Re: Verapamil and Constipation! Grr!
« Reply #12 on: Apr 28th, 2008, 5:18pm » |
Quote Modify
|
Definitely use a stool softener. CVS Generic.....
|
|
IP Logged |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Home
Help
Search
Members
Member Map
Login
Register
Reply
Notify of replies
Send Topic
Print
test rss