Quote:

According to Goadsby, the take-home message of this study is simple: Be sure to get regular EKGs if you are taking verapamil for cluster headaches. Goadsby recommended EKGs within two weeks of changing doses, and because problems can arise over time -- even if the dose doesn't change -- to get an EKG every six months while on a constant dose.

I knew about the first part, getting checked before upping a dose, but this is the first I've seen that indicates a regular six month screening. Bob J posted this on another thread but I thought it might be good to repost it here as well. Again, thanks Bob. Blessings. lance

Yes I recently doubled my dose of verapamil and so far it seems to be working quite well. I was on 120mg and now on 240. the dr asked me to have a heart trace so I agreed. It was fine. I personally would not worry about regular checks. No point in making the quacks rich! You knowin yourself if you are feeling ok. I get sick of them pushing various screenings each time I go. Diabetes, prostate etc etc. I dont go for any of them.

I'm more than happy to do a 6 monthly ECG as it's my heart I'm looking after. Any issues are more than likely resolved with stopping verapamil and changing to a different preventive. I'd much rather do this sooner than later if I need to do it.

Graemel wrote on Aug 11^th, 2011 at 7:48am:

Yes I recently doubled my dose of verapamil and so far it seems to be working quite well. I was on 120mg and now on 240. the dr asked me to have a heart trace so I agreed. It was fine. I personally would not worry about regular checks. No point in making the quacks rich! You knowin yourself if you are feeling ok. I get sick of them pushing various screenings each time I go. Diabetes, prostate etc etc. I dont go for any of them.

Sounds like a good quote for your headstone. 

I know sometimes it seems they order tests just to practice defensive medicine, but when you are put on something as powerful as Verap at 6-8 times the dosages given for high blood pressure it only makes sense to monitor it.  What you feel like is not sufficient for this. 

JMHO
Jerry

That's a bit surprising to me, I had printed out a Dr.'s recommendation, I thought from this site, several years ago and if you had a healthy heart, he said 120mgs 4x a day was most without EKG, after that EKG was needed.

Yes I keep forgetting at 120mg twice a day I am on a low dose compared to others here. If people want the ekg and such they should have it. For me it is not a concern. I have been CH free for 5 days now. My cafergot is always close to hand!