Hi,

My neuro started me on Verapamil. This is the third time. The first two times I had immediate relief from clusters, but with serious side effects of lower abdominal pain, somewhere around my intenstines.

This time is the same.

My question is, has anyone else had similar simptoms or most importantly, are there other calcium channel blockers I can try out to see if they give me the same side effect I've been experiencing on Verapamil.

Here are the calcium channel blockers I found:
    Amlodipine
    Diltiazem
    Felodipine
    Isradipine
    Nicardipine
    Nifedipine
    Nimodipine
    Nisoldipine
    Verapamil

Thanks,
Jure

When looking for reliable indications of a drug being used to treat CH I normally use Google Scholar to look for research papers, e.g.:

START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGE"

I'd repeat this swapping "Felodipine" for each of the potential calcium channel antagonists to see what results are given for each.

One reference found is from a patent application - START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGE

Methods and kits for treating cluster headache disorders
US 8415371 B2

Quote:

In a particular embodiment of any of the above methods, the subject has a cluster headache disorder that is refractory to one or more prophylactic therapies. For example, the cluster headache disorder can be refractory to treatment using corticosteroids (e.g., hydrocortisone, prednisone, methylprednisolone, triamcinolone, bethamethasone, and dexamethasone, among other corticosteroids); tricyclic antidepressants (e.g., amitriptyline, amoxapine, clomipramine, desipramine, dothiepin, doxepin, imipramine, lofepramine, maprotiline, mianserin, mirtazapine, nortriptyline, octriptyline, oxaprotiline, protriptyline, and trimipramine, among other tricyclic antidepressants); calcium channel blockers (nifedipine, amlodipine, felodipine, flunarizine, isradipine, nicardipine, diltiazem, verapamil, and bepridil, among other calcium channel blockers); beta blockers (e.g., propanolol, nadolol, timolol, pindolol, labetolol, metoprolol, atenolol, esmolol, acebutolol, carvedilol, bopindolol, carteolol, oxprenolol, penbutolol, medroxalol, bucindolol, levobutolol, metipranolol, bisoprolol, nebivolol, betaxolol, celiprolol, solralol, and propafenone, among other beta blockers); anticonvulsants (e.g., valproate and topiramate, among other anticonvulsants); methysergide; and/or lithium.

I prefer to use medications which have been used in daily practice that there are data about effectiveness and safety.

Suggest you read the PDF file, below, and find a new med to try from this list of suggestions.

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Or, try adding solid doses of a Magnesium supplement to help offset the response to Verapamil, on the smooth muscle tissue in your intestines.

Worth a try, since it helps your CH's.

I use Amlodopine (Norvasc). I'm allergic to Verap (turned me purple).