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http://www.clusterheadaches.com/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Cluster Headache Specific >> Dependant on Verapamil? http://www.clusterheadaches.com/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1214573615 Message started by Jean on Jun 27^th, 2008 at 9:33am

Title: Dependant on Verapamil?
Post by Jean on Jun 27^th, 2008 at 9:33am

Is it possible? I was off of it for a couple of weeks and thought that I was finished with my cycle. Had to start it again though. I have just never had to take it this far into June and am wondering what's up? Will I ever be able to get off of it? I guess that it is not really that big a deal to have to take it. I just hate the beast lurking around all the time! I'm ready for him to get lost! I don't know how you chronics do it! :-/

PF wishes,

Jeannie

Title: Re: Dependant on Verapamil?
Post by Bob_Johnson on Jun 27^th, 2008 at 11:20am

Two possibilities: your cycle had not stopped entirely and you were surprised; or, some (few?) folks find that they cycle so rapidly that staying on Verap. full time is an effective/needed response.

There have been some docs who keep their CH people on 100%. But there is no indication, in the medical literature which I've seen, that the med itself somehow acts to sustain the CH cycle. Given its benefits to us, it's a rather benign med.

Title: Re: Dependant on Verapamil?
Post by kevmd on Jun 27^th, 2008 at 11:30am

I've taken verap almost every day for 8 years. The first few times i tried to get off of it, I could feel him creeping back. So I just decided to keep on taking it. Constipation has been the only problem I have had I guess my advice would be to give it another month and maybe try it again

Title: Re: Dependant on Verapamil?
Post by Kirk on Jun 28^th, 2008 at 4:44am

I took Verapamil 480/day before my heart surgeries. Haven't used it since because my BP tends to run low. So I just use Dopymax for a prevent these days.
When I was episodic. I used to go off of it every July without any problem. That stopped when I turned 50. When like 15% of the middle aged men I turned chronic. Then I had heart problems at 54, and couldn't take Verap. anymore. I liked it, cheap drug, easy to tolerate, did a good job. At least for me.
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