Has anybody experienced constipation while a CH cycle is going on? It might be the daily stress at home and the office causing this, but the more I think of it, the relative constipation (not to the point of agony ... apart from the CH attacks) has been going on about as long as my current CH cycle ...

... has anybody experience this? I'm on Isoptin (240mg a day) and O2, but the constipation has been going on longer than I've been taking them, so they can't be the cause.

Thanks for any and all feedback.

Roger

Your med can be adding to the problem but not a real issue. I love dried fruit as a snack food and it takes very little of it to keep everything comfortable and working.

I don't think it's related to CH although one may wonder if stress if a factor ????

During a cycle, I don't eat well or get much exercise. Not much sleep either.  That on top of stress can really do a number on a digestive tract!   Fiber One cereal helps.  The Honey Cluster kind tastes pretty good.

Jeannie

The meds may not be the original cause, but they may exacerbate it.

I agree with what everybody has said.  Meds could be contributing, lifestyle changes made during cycle, stress, etc.

Another remedy that seems to be pretty effective is trying Miralax - that is over the counter now, and it's a powder that completely dissolves in your drink - whatever you want to put it in.


Hope this helps!
Carrie

If it is severe, tell your Doc and get some chemical drain cleaner.

I voiced this same concern re verapamil to Dr Robinson at the Vancouver OUCH convention.  He just looked at me and said, we can take of that.

You might want to consider adding a magnesium supplement to your diet. I started a vitamin B-2 and magnesium supplement regimen,  year round, many years ago, at the suggestion of my neuro. I'm convinced it's reduced the number of hits for me. A side benefit to the magnesium is it....umm...loosens you up a bit! ;) Might be worth looking into

Constipation is a documented possible side effect of isoptin/verapamil. Calcium and Magnesium activity is needed for the smooth muscle in the gut to go through the normal contraction/relaxation cycles that move food.  Fiber alone might not fix this problem, though it is great for ordinary constipation and worth a try.  Magnesium might help, and you might need to use a stool softener or gentle laxative.  Also, drinking more water is generally good for constipation.


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The major side effects of verapamil include constipation (also slows down the muscles surrounding your intestines), decrease in blood pressure (the vessels in the rest of your body also relax), as well as a slight decrease in heart rate (the most important muscle of all). START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGE

When verapamil was a fairly new drug for me this side effect was more pronounced as it went through my system.  Being episodic back then, it was a strong adjustment for the system on an intermittant basis.  But through the years and good variety in diet on a steady dose, can stay good and regular up to 480mg now.  your milage may vary.

I found this forum by searching for cluster headache and constipation.  I've been episodic for 6 years.  Each cycle is now getting longer apart (thank goodness).  For me I get constipated prior to taking medication with CH.  When I'm on medication I use a colon cleanser called oxypowder to get myself going when I can't go for a day.  But every cycle is proceeded by constipation issues before medication.

I hate verapamil for that one reason once I start taking it.  I'd love to find a way to break the cycles without prednisone or verapamil.  I've even resorted to using cayenne pepper extract in a saline nasal spray.  It does seem to help some.  I just started that in the current cycle I'm in.  Right now it's not the mind blowing pain yet.  Just the beginning of a cycle.  I went two years being told it's a sinus headache. 

Magic man,

D3,D3,D3.

Read about it on the Treatments and Medications section, under the thread: 123 days pain free.....

It has helped a lot of us, episodic and chronic. The programme contains Magnesium, which will help with constipation.

Read all you can. Ask questions. If you decide to try it, you will need to take the daily D3 and ALL the cofactors year in year out, whether in episode or not.

We're here to answer questions and to help you find your way on this journey.

Mind yourself,

Peter.