Continuing Reaction to C-Blockers?

[BillK3]

I posted a week ago re: a negative reaction to Norvasc after 3 weeks of being on that med.  I had developed pretty bad hives covering my back and sides of the neck.  My Cardio and GP agreed to switch me to Diltiazem, with Zyrtec to lessen the itching.  I found Diltiazem to be easy to switch to, in fact it seems that Norvasc might have had me spun-up a bit, as I seemed to become more relaxed with Diltiazem.

It's almost one week later and the hives are reduced by at least 50%, but they are still there.  Should a patient just stay on a med like this to see if the hives go away with time?  Is there a good 3rd choice in the c-channel blocker class?  

I'd like to remain on this class of med, at least for a while, as I have not had another vasospasm (although it's totally possible that I would not have had another anyway!).

I look forward to your opinion.

[cmiller]

For those who may have actual alergic reactions to Ca channel blockers..... magnesium is a "natural" calcium channel blocker with no side effects (except at very high doses).   May be word discussing with your MD.

good luck

[BillK3]

Well, it's 3 days later and my rashes and hives are just about 100% gone.  So what was thought to be a possible drug interaction with calcium channel blockers was most probably an allergic reaction to dry cleaning chemicals and/or the starch in my shirts.

All is well so far on the vasospasm front as well.  Feeling great!

[BillK3]

Your advice is very similar to what my GP said yesterday.

Interestingly, I am currently suspecting my dry-cleaning, of all things!  The start of my rashes are very coincidently timed with my needing to wear pressed dress shirts/ties at work for presentations.  However, the rashes seem to hang on for days once they are established.

I am avoiding any dry-cleaned shirts for a couple of weeks and I am going to see if my skin clears up.  I'll report back either way, as it might be of some benefit to other readers/posters who believe that they are reacting to calcium-channel blockers.

If it is contact with dry cleaning chemicals, I'll consider it a blessing, as the Diltiazem I was switched over to seems to be easier to tolerate than the Norvasc I was originally prescribed!

[Cleveland Clinic]

Bill K,

If you have a reaction to a medication, it should not be continued. I would advise you to see an allergist as some of your reaction in your initial story does not seem perfectly consistent with it being from the norvasc.

good luck