Hi guys,

Started Verapamil a couple of months ago and have been virtually PF so far, although I had several KIP 3's at the weekend - possibly because I'd not taken the Verapamil for a few days as I'd stupidly allowed myself to run out.

Of course, I can't say for sure that the Verapamil has kept the CH at bay because I'm not certain I was "due" some headaches. I hope that it's helping.

But I want to ask about lesser-known Verapamil side-effects. The leaflet describes quite a few, none of which apply to me.

However, since I started using Verapamil I have felt different in other ways. Has anyone else encountered the following?

1. Permanently tired
2. Depressed
3. Shaky and nervous
4. Totally lacking in motivation
5. Could spend all day in bed

I've always been bright and outgoing in character and people even asked me "Ian, why do you never get depressed?" but lately I've become really uptight and defensive.

Is it possible that Verapamil has brought about these feelings/moods? I know for sure that I experience all of them when I'm on cycle - as anyone would - but I've always been quite upbeat when off cycle.

I'll be seeing my neuro in a couple of weeks time and I'd really love to hear from anyone who has had the same experience as me before I talk with him as he'll obviously be reviewing my medication.

I'm not blaming Verapamil as I haven't conducted a scientific study but I do wonder if it has contributed to the feelings listed above.

But for sure I don't remember ever feeling so shaky before.

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Ian

Thanks Jon,

You mentioned the leg cramps, something I hadn't mentioned in my post.

I get that too, but hadn't even thought it might be a by-product of Verapamil.

I'm only on a 240mg daily dose but I'm experiencing feelings I've never experienced before.

I'm not blaming Verapamil, but just want to explore what other Verapamilers have found.

And I will mention it to my neuro. He seems to have a very open-mind, unlike my GP, who rubbished my suggestion of O2.

I'm gonna make sure he writes my GP telling him that I must have 02 if the need arises.

Best PF wishes,

Ian

PS You're right about the trade-in. I'd rather be miserable and lying in bed than trying to stuff ice cubes up my nose while rocking back and forward with a packet of frozen peas clamped to my head.

Hi there,

The only real side-effects I had with the Verap, were fatigue and a sensation of weakened muscles. Nothing big, but it bugged me nonetheless. Did feel as if I had tired legs all day long.

Pascal.

Ungweliante, interesting you mentioned brachycardia.  I have always had a low heart rate and had White Parkinson Syndrone and had to have a heart ablation some 15 or so years ago, but to be diagnosed I had to have an attact of tachacardia and get to the hospital of an ekg.  They gave me meds to convert, but while in the hospital my heart rate dropped to in the teens.  The darn nurses kept waking me up all night wanting to know if I was okay, of course to me I was fine except for them disdurbing my sleep.  All of that I hope is corrected now (at least the irregular part), but I normal heart rate is probably around 64-68.  I am guessing when I sleep it drops to 40.  I too am on 480mg of Verapmil and cannot say that I have experienced any of the side affects mentioned in any of the posts, but I was curious if my (and maybe others with low heart rates) low heart rate could be a trigger for night time hits, because I would be getting so little O2 on my own.  I have noticed when in cycle that almost without fail if I fall asleep on the couch watching TV I will get hit, not usually a zinger, but a hit none the less.  Just a thought.  Wishbone.

Ian,

I too stay tired on Verap. I have a general feeling of being unwell, and people around me have said they can see a change in my demeanor. I am pretty much a clown, "the life of the party" if you will, but when I take the Verap I just get... bleh, I guess is the best way to put it. In short, I also have all of your side effects too, except the depression, and I get constipated too 

chewbaccamonkeylunch wrote on Aug 8^th, 2008 at 4:38pm:


Dang, I hate when that happens! For me Topomax did that, verapamil, no...

Best,

Jon

"Calcium channel blocker overdose is rapidly emerging as the most lethal prescription drug ingestion."

Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or .


Many have good results with Verapamil and the like. The link is something all should be aware of.

Hi! I am new and I am on my way on taking Verapamil! I have been taking vicoden, Maxalt & Meprozine. I am scared to take Verapamil
because I hear about it can Lower your blood Pressure and can do some damage if your BP gets to Low! Even though I don't want to live with CH anymore and they are so darn painfull I have to try it? I dont understand how the heck some people can live with CH I have had bad doctors after bad doctors today I went and he is giving me imitrex but I have a stress test this coming week If everthing is ok he will give me where I can give myself shots of imitrex! I am so tired of doctors thinking people are drug seeking! Myself I would rather be knocked out for the day the next day I am fine for a week and wham again another CH. I went to a local Hospital tearing from my eye same side all ways eyelid small u can look at me and see I am having a CH If u know what I mean the doctor says to me what can I do for u! What????? U are a doctor get me out of my pain I told her I felt like getting a gun and shooting my head off! Yes thats how bad the eye pain is its h@ll! I dont understand a lot I think I have Migraines and sometimes have CH at the same time! CRY yes I cry all the time!
Am I depressed heck no I am in pain!!! My family does'nt understand How can they they don't no how it feels! I'm aspose to be HAPPY well guess what I'm not I want answers and I need a lot of answers! I live in SC the neurologist in COLUMBIA suck! If there was someone that just did ch I would be gone tomorrow I need someone who understands who nos how I feel who wont look at me like a drug seeker! I have had migraines since I was 18 or so Ive tried alot of things nothing really helped but I could bare it! NOW CH put me out I would rather be out for the day yes the whole day! Things I think have to do with mine Weather I can tell u if its gonna rainCH! Hair color CH Mold CH Why? Why Me? I Had one doctor tell me there is no cure they dont no what causes CH what? Doctors dont like to prescribe narcotics because they are addicting well I would rather be knocked out then for something go wrong with my heart from taking Verapamil can someone please shed some light on this? I dont have Highblood pressure? Topamax made me feel weak like i had the flu no energy at all still had CH 2nd attempt with topamax now Verapamil 

I haven't started it yet! I'm scared to Heart Problems run in my family so Im confused If I should or shouldnt? I got it filled but I read the warnings on the leaflet it came with and My mom took that diet drug and it messed her up so I read things and im scared of side effects but when I have a CH I would rather be dead anyway so I'm just confused I dont want to have ch anymore but then I dont want to have heart problems either!

Summermood

If you have found a doctor you feel good about you sometimes have to lay your trust in him/her.
If Doc is aware of your questions and issues, listens and takes all these things into effect and says its safe, its worth a try. An awfull lot of clusterheads have found relief with verapamil. Those Docs that throw drugs at us without understanding cause and effect of those drugs are the ones to worry about.
Still the best care for CH is a shared knowledge between you and doc. Those that find the best relief spend the time understanding their condition often better than the docs, its a mutual aide thing.
When a doc says he doesnt know the cause of CH he's being honest with you as none know that answer yet.

Well, your list fits me pretty well too.

I try like hell to not do any verapamil if I can get away with it....

Quote:


With you on that one Summermood. Some of my family do understand but others seem to think it's just some sort of play-acting. And if that's the reaction you get from your family, you just know how it's gonna go down with others.

No wonder so many CHers suffer in silence. Though it's kinda hard to hide when you're on cycle.  

You just know they're thinking you can't possibly have that many headaches. Anyway, Summermood, hope you're on your way to getting good help and support from the site regulars.

Now, back to the thread I started. I think it's coming through loud and clear that more of us than I thought are encountering at least some of the effects I listed in the initial post. As BC_Battler says:

Quote:


Well-put!  

Tony and Angela seem to be in the same boat, among others.

At the moment, and me CH-free (touch wood!), the side-effects I mentioned are a big issue in themselves - yet I know that a cluster cycle will make them irrelevant for as long as it lasts.

I'm glad I started this thread, as it's giving us a new insight into the possibly unexplored side-effects of some standard CH treatments.

Ian

I have had an underlying mood disorder-- episodic low level depression and anxiety- usually controlled by meds-- since my late teens early twenties (probably earlier actually   )  Sometimes when I am in cycle it can be difficult to tell whether its that or my meds.

But boy, I know that last cycle  the Verapamil greatly effected my mood.  It was constant low- And one thing leads to another.  You're exhausted so you sleep alot, therefore miss out on human connections which tends to isolate you - You have no energy either - makes quality time more difficult.  All these elements affect my mood too.

Still - have a refill waiting for me on my shelf-  I will do all over again unless I CB which I am seriously thinking more and more about-  Now if my memory would ever return to full power , maybe I could actually remember to order the seeds to increase my options.   

Whatever gets ya painfree , I'm in -!

Kelly