Posted by Jack Boyd on May 19, 1998 at 08:05:51:
In Reply to: Verapamil & Prednisone posted by Ken on May 18, 1998 at 19:33:47:
My clusters are episodic with a current 3 year cycle ( cycles use to be one year but are now up to 3 ). They always last for one month. I am 48 and had my first at 21. I did not know these things had a name until I was about 32. I have had great success with Verapamil for the last ten years. Because of my 3 year cycle and verapmil I have had very few full fledged headaches for a long time now. I take verapmil only during a cycle. My doctor once mentioned keeping me on it year round and I was not the least bit interested. He is a terrific doctor but I saw no reason to stay on the medication. I don't have high blood pressure or any other cardiovascular condition that I am aware of. Verapmil has been in the news lately regarding some studies that demonstrated increased mortality rates. These studies have been rebutted and it definitely seems that the slow release versions of the calcium channel blockers are safer. In an otherwise healthy individual there is little or no long term risk with verapamil. Those who need to be concerned are those with congestive heart failure, unstable angina, clogged arteries, etc. ( in other words folks who are pretty sick ). I consider verapamil to be the safest of the cluster medications that actually work. Prednisone is an entirely different animal and the long term side effects can be devastating and even life threatening. No one should be on a steroid except for very brief periods when nothing else will work. Personally I would rather suffer through my 4 week bout than use a steroid. Long term side effects from steroids include bone loss, kidney failure, heart disease, etc., etc. Bad stuff. As I have read these cluster stories on the web I realize I have been luckier than most and I have the greatest compassion for those who are chronic sufferers. My advice to everyone is DON'T SMOKE, DON'T DRINK and find the most benign medication you can that actually works.