Hey all. i just got back from my headache specialist and he seems to think i have been having low grade clusters . My headaches are confusing cause i have hemicrainia continua also. my doc wants me to start a pred taper in the a.m. along with 300 mg lithium to start and i am on 480 mg verap. I hear quite a few peeps have success with the combo and I am hoping for the best! Any input would be great.
Thanks all
Anthony

Check your PM's. Hoping it works for you as well as it has for me.

Joe

Hiya Anthony,

Sounds like a plan!

Listen to Joe...he knows whereof he speaks....

I'm thinking...and hope not...that I know more about ch than your doc. Know nothing about HC....but "low grade" and ch do not belong in the same sentence or even area code. ONE ch, of any significance....is one too many. If there were such a thing as "low grade" ch... I would sign up NOW....and run naked into the street...screaming in delight...and be locked up as a crazy man....

Best,

Jon

Anthony, I hope this combo works for you bro.  I've spoke to a CH'er who swears by this combo and read favorable posts on this subject in the past. 

I may require this in due time as well, so am curious....

Is 300mg the starting dosage of Lithium when combined with Verapamil?

How long does it take to titrate to therapeutic levels?

How often is Lithium typically tested/increased?

With Verapamil, we have to watch our blood pressure and heart via EKG's.  Also, to be lean on the energy drinks and stay away from grapefruit and grapefruit juice.

What are the cautions about Lithium when used with Verapamil?

What side effects are to be expected when mixing Lithium and Verapamil?....other than a hopeful end of cycle ;)

LasVegas wrote on Nov 18^th, 2011 at 4:26pm:

Anthony, I hope this combo works for you bro.  I've spoke to a CH'er who swears by this combo and read favorable posts on this subject in the past.  I may require this in due time as well, so am curious.... Is 300mg the starting dosage of Lithium when combined with Verapamil? How long does it take to titrate to therapeutic levels? How often is Lithium typically tested/increased? With Verapamil, we have to watch our blood pressure and heart via EKG's.  Also, to be lean on the energy drinks and stay away from grapefruit and grapefruit juice. What are the cautions about Lithium when used with Verapamil? What side effects are to be expected when mixing Lithium and Verapamil?....other than a hopeful end of cycle ;)

Yes
300 is starting dose. I am actually starting this evening.My specialist wants me to get my blood check in 2 weeks (cbc sma 7 lithium level) I havent heard of any bad side effects from the combo we will see i guess will def keep u posted.So i guess i will with each titrate up I will be doing a blood test.
I know guiseppe has great response to lithium. I actually dont think there is much of side effects when mixing the 2 meds. My specialist says it a good combo, I happen to be very very fortunate to  have a guru specialist here in nyc so Im blessed to have him and this board ! ;) Im really confused and scared with the whole process but I want to give it my best shot and should all of us. I think you should try it my friend no one really knows until we try. Im so tired of the whole process but again glad we have each other
bless u bro
Anthony

jon019 wrote on Nov 17^th, 2011 at 7:54pm:

Hiya Anthony, Sounds like a plan! Listen to Joe...he knows whereof he speaks.... I'm thinking...and hope not...that I know more about ch than your doc. Know nothing about HC....but "low grade" and ch do not belong in the same sentence or even area code. ONE ch, of any significance....is one too many. If there were such a thing as "low grade" ch... I would sign up NOW....and run naked into the street...screaming in delight...and be locked up as a crazy man.... Best, Jon

hey Jon
I guess i wrote this wrong my bad. what he was saying that i was starting a cycle. I am a difficult case since I have a mix bad of head stuff going on. I also have hemicrainia continua and have been treating the hemicrainia with indomethicin (# one line med) at 150 mg and was starting to get break through head pain and saw him yesterday and he said "cluster" Like i said sorry for not being clear but doctor Lawrence Newman here in ny is one of the top specialist out of 300 in the nation, so I didnt want to confuse that ;)
thanks for your input my friend
bestAnthony

Got it Anthony.....glad it was only semantics...

Best,

Jon

Anthony,
How's the Verapamil/Lithium combo working for ya?

Reducing frequency?
Reducing intensity of pain?
Side effects?

Hope you had a Happy Thanksgiving.

-Gregg in Las Vegas

LasVegas wrote on Nov 25^th, 2011 at 2:02am:

Anthony, How's the Verapamil/Lithium combo working for ya? Reducing frequency? Reducing intensity of pain? Side effects? Hey hard to tell just yet bro. I am still tapering off the pred. Im down to 30mg now been on verap at 560 mg a day and on lithium 300 mg at night. I pee like a race horse :D i will see what s up and take blood in about a week or so see my lithium levels and my doc will take it from there and possibly raise the lithium. I will def keep u posted bro. It all sucks but giving it my best shot!!!! Best to u bro keep in touch Anthony Hope you had a Happy Thanksgiving. -Gregg in Las Vegas