Just a little background info..I've been episodic since 1999 with an average of one cycle a year, usually around April/May or October. I've been in remission for over a year now, with mild shadows appearing off and on over time.

Today, I have been experiencing shadows all day, and they seem much more intense than normal. Normally, my shadows are brief and few. Obviously, I won't know if I'm truly entering a cycle until I have that first CH. My question is, would it be a good idea for me to begin my preventive med - Verapamil, or should I wait until I know for sure? If I were to start the Verapamil and I'm not yet actually entering a cycle, could the meds trigger a cycle?

I don't have any insurance, nor can I afford to make an uneccessary trip to the doctor; so when I last went to the doctor and received a prescription, I filled all three refills for the Verapamil. The Verapamil has worked so far, though I'd only used it through one cycle (it was given to me after I'd reached my limit on Prednisone).

Anyway, any advice would be appreciated. I'm getting a little apprehensive, and I hate not knowing if the next cycle is lurking around the corner. 

If I were you I wouldn't start the verapamil until I'd had my first CH.  Instead, I'd head to the Doctor NOW and have him give me a script for a pred taper. 

That way once your cycle does start you'll have the pred to hold the beast off while the verapamil builds to its theraputic level.

I'd also suggest you ask for some Oxygen while you're in there.

In general I think spending money on a Doctor's visit when you are out of cycle to prepare for when the cycle starts is the best way to go.  Especially where you already have a good idea of what is going to work.

Good luck...

-Dennis-

Sorry about the late reply, I'd gotten caught up in getting things ready for a big  fire department fundraiser tonight.

I had taken one dose of Verapamil, then curiosity got the best of me, so I decided to hold off and see what the next day or so would bring. I've had little to no shadows since the other day. I don't know if an October cycle is looming, but time will tell.

I guess one thing that worries me about beginning meds before they are actually needed, is I don't know if the body will build up a resistance to the drugs over time. Does anyone know? Predisone was the first drug I was given, and it would always permanently kill my cycle. After a few years (and this is one or two Pred tapers a year), the Prednisone stopped working so well. It would dull the CHs down, but the CHs would come back with a vengeance as soon as the taper was completed. That's why I was given the Verapamil.

Last episode I did exactly this. I started early with the Verapamil treatment. Consequently the (very weak) attacks were gone nearly immediately. So I wasn't really sure if I was in an episode or not since not even alcohol triggered attacks. So I stopped to take Verapamil and soon I had a serious problem. The attacks were more severe than usual in the beginning of an episode and it took a long time until the Verapamil worked again. I wouldn't do that anymore...

Quote:


Never read about that either and did not experience it myself.

Tobias

just the contrary about building a resistance with verp in terms of it taking it early..it takes about a week for the levels of verapamil to actual get to point to start working. if you start and stop before episode finishes it can be hard to start back up. if you feel shadows more than before and its close to "that time" than go for it. start building up the med so a ch doesnt break through. I rather be safe than sorry. IMO..
now if you always have minor shadows when your not in cycle and youve been pain free longer than usual(compared to other years) than hold off and get some o2 in case...well get the o2 no matter what. its a life saver. good luck..