I've been on 10mg of prednisone per day for around 6 months. This week I've started amping verapamil back up to 960 per day...from 240 a day. Well the pain has switched sides ...very rare for me...and it's strictly behind the eye..with tearing and nasal.and years ringing. Are these normal side effects of high dosage verapamil?

Hi Raider,
Do you have a headache specialist that prescribed those dosages or are you self medicating?

10 mg of Pred daily for 6 months is not typical CH treatment plan. Usually it is used as a "Transitional Med" commonly a Pred taper over a period of 2 or 3 weeks while the "Preventive Med" such as Verapamil is in process of titrating blood levels to become effective. Then the Pred is stopped (at end of taper) as the CH'er decreases from high dosage at start to lower dosage such as 10 mg at end of short term "transitional" taper.

Prednisone is really harsh on your knees, so many nasty side effects, and Long-term use of steroids may lead to bone loss (osteoporosis), especially if you smoke, if you do not exercise, if you do not get enough vitamin D or calcium in your diet, or if you have a family history of osteoporosis. Talk with your doctor about your risk of osteoporosis.

As for your Verapamil, 960mg is a huge jump from 240 and typically increased a little bit at a time, not such a dramatic leap to a high 960mg.

Don't misunderstand me, many CH'ers do need as high as 960mg to reduce frequency and minimize intensity of attacks, but that is just a huge increase. I would be surprised if a doctor prescribed that high of a dosage from 240mg and said ok to do it within a week or even over a few weeks.

Usually it also recommended that once the CH'er needs more than 480mg Verapamil, that an EKG is tested to make sure the heart is healthy enough. Definitely monitor your blood pressure daily, maybe even twice a day.

It has been reported here on the message board and among 19% of those who participated in the cluster survey (yellow tab left side of your computer screen) that switching sides/both sides does occur. But personally am not familiar if that is normal as a side effect of high dosage Verapamil. Imagine someone here with Verapamil high dosage experience will offer you some advice.

Hope your meds help soon ;)

-Gregg in Las Vegas

normal regime for verapamil in the uk is baseline ecg before start then in at 240mg for two weeks ,ecg again then dosage upped by 80 mg for two weeks ecg again and up by 80 mg til max daily dosage is achieved of 960mg if needed, prednisone is normally tapered starting 60 mg for 3 days reduce by 10 to fifty for three days etc

Hi Raider

I'd second what Las Vegas wrote, especially around the danger of using prednisione long term for the damage it can do.

My reg dr let me do the prednisone because frankly i was/am at the end of my rope. Thats why he let me try. Everyone ive talked to says get off the prednisone. I was ramping back up on the verapamil on my own but didnt ramp....i just  launched. I wil slow that down. Per hor advice.wil se reg dr next wek and i need to see heart dr to since chest pains and bradycardia have reflamed, thanks for the advise.

Raider,

Read this, print it and bring for discussion with your Doctor. It's working for 80% of those of us using it, including Chronic Sufferers like me.

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It's healthy as well and gets you away from the need for drugs.

Best,

Peter.