Many, many thanks to this board and especially Giuseppi (Joe) for his posts on Lithium. Had my husband and I not read the multiple posts on the use and success of this normally fear-producing drug, we would have resisted and probably freaked out at the suggestion of the headache specialist to try it.

After the high doses of Verapamil started causing hubby's ankle to swell to elephant-like proportions, something had to change. It was disappointing because the Verapamil was succeeding in prevention, but couldn't continue at the high dose from the swelling. So, the suggestion was made to reduce the Verapamil (decreased to 80 mg three times a day) and to add Lithium 300 mg twice a day.

Since the addition of the Lithium, my husband reports his thinking is much more clear, he doesn't have any shadows at all, and the ankle swelling resolved. From my supporter  view, he hasn't been this upbeat and encouraged in over a YEAR.

Seems like after all the preventative trial and error, this one is working. And we have been stockpiling the monthly allowance from the insurance company for the Sumavel injectors for months (got about 25 now) and the oxygen tanks are full. Yay!

Thank God. And thank you, everyone, for being here.

Great news! The verapamil/lithium combo (often called the "chronic cocktail") worked for years for me. I was at 900mg lithium and 480mg verapamil, and it kept the beast away very nicely. Got real sick of the side effects after a time, though.

That's great news. The trial and error period absolutely sucks. It's sure worth it when you stumble accross the silver bullet. Thanks again for being the rock of a supporter you are, your husband is a lucky man! ;)

Joe

Thank gosh (and Joe!) - it sounds like you've found a relatively nice groove with that chronic cocktail.  :)

Quote:

And we have been stockpiling the monthly allowance from the insurance company for the Sumavel injectors for months (got about 25 now) and the oxygen tanks are full. Yay!

This rocks, too! May you never need another abortive! lance

glad for your success.it seems i am stuck on the same place you were as i am supposed to follow the same preventative route but still haven't made up my mind on this.pls update from time to time this thread on any changes good or bad,if you wish.

best wishes :)

black wrote on Jul 25^th, 2010 at 7:51pm:

glad for your success.it seems i am stuck on the same place you were as i am supposed to follow the same preventative route but still haven't made up my mind on this.pls update from time to time this thread on any changes good or bad,if you wish. best wishes :)

Thanks, will do!

Would also like to add the suggestion of chugging the Red Bull at the slightest hint of the beast knocking has been working wonderfully also.

just a question for the lithium users.
except the regular lithium blood test is there anything else on blood tests you do as necessary?

Great news!

So glad he seems to have found his cocktail. Lithium did not work for me, but Verap and o2 is my cocktail!  :)
PF wishes to your husband and a big thanks to you for being such a great supporter, he is very lucky having you in his corner.  [smiley=thumbsup.gif]

black wrote on Sep 18^th, 2010 at 3:24pm:

just a question for the lithium users. except the regular lithium blood test is there anything else on blood tests you do as necessary?

Hey Black!
When taking lithium - lithium levels, kidney function, electrolytes, and thyroid function should all be monitored periodically.


As for AdoreinVegas - great great great news!!!!!!!

Black, the only tests other then to check the level in my blood is an occasion check on my thyroid as long term use can supposedly cause issues there. I have not had any problems in that area.

Joe

thanks