Does anyone take verapamil (Calan, Covera HS)

Hi all,

I was wondering if anyone here takes the drug verapamil, also known as Calan or Covera HS, it is a calcium channel blocker and anti-arrythmia drug. My newest neuro (at the academic hospital) wants me to start taking this drug. His main thought was as migraine prophylaxis, in addition to it's blood pressure lowering effects, as other drugs have not seemed to bring the migraines and BP  under control. His other thought was Depakote, which is an anti-seizure med but I'm already foggy headed enough without adding to it. I already take Lyrica and Klonopin and I did not want to add to the situation with Depakote. My cardiologist today said I could take the verapamil but didn't seem too thrilled with the idea and would not prescribe it himself. Instead he wrote a "suggestion" to the neuro regarding dosage and then told me to set up several follow-up appt. if I was  going to take it. After reading the side effect profile of verapamil I saw that it slows neuromuscular transmission. Was wondering if anyone here was taking it and if it affected their muscular function. Sorry for the long post.

Thanks,
REndean

[PastorDan]

Took it for a while many, many years ago.  Sorry, but it's been too long, and I just don't remember any effects at all.  For some reason, I am thinking that they might have switched me to Norvasc at one time, but those might be for two different spells.

[rendean]

Did you take it for blood pressure or heart condition or other(migrane (migraine) prophylaxis)? Norvasc and verapamil are both calcium channel blockers but I believe they have different mechanisms of action.

Thanks for trying to answer my question. Have been reading your posts. I wish you well and pray for a timely answer to your problems.
Rendean

[PastorDan]

Thank you, Rendean.  Oddly enough, the doc put me back on Norvasc today, for blood pressure.  I've had no BP problems for many, many years, and I'm not certain, but the original purpose might have been to regulate atrial rhythm.  The present set of experiences didn't seem to affect it much either, but sometime around the end of last month, there was a sudden jump, that hasn't straightened out appreciably.

[PastorDan]

...and shame on me for not saying "Thank you" for your prayers and kind words.

[lmax0021]

Hi...
I have had migraines since I was about 4yo. I tried all the regular migraine meds and nothing ever really helped. 15 years ago, I started verapamil 40mg twice daily. My migraines became less and less frequent over about 3-4mos and then stopped. I took it twice  a day for quite a few years and now I just take it every few days. Every several - several months I start to feel one coming on and if I take a verapamil and excedrin migraine it goes away.  I consider it a miracle drug that gave me my life back and would highly recommend giving it a try.

I have never had any noticable side effects, but I have always been on a low dose.  

Good luck
Robin

[rendean]

Hi,
Thanks for the input! The "suggested" dose was 180 mg by the cardiologist but he wouldn't order it, he said let the neuro order it. I think the cardio is ordering extended release, I'll have to look it up since you were on much lower dose and it seemed to work. Rather start low, then add.

I'm glad it helped your migranes (migraines) so well. It's nice to hear of a success story every once in a while. I hope I can find the same success.

Thanks again,
Rendean

[steacher988]

I know this thread ended a long time ago, but I was just wondering how it turned out? I've had this headache since November 28, 2010 and I've been on 180 mg of Verapamil extended release once a day for 2 months now and it hasn't helped my migraines at all. I still resort to prescription migraine medications (like Midrin, though the name has changed, it's Butal now) at least once a week to make the migraines go away. I'm about to take an Excedrin Migraine right now because the Butal didn't work earlier. So I was just wondering if the Verapamil worked for you because that means there's hope for me, or if I should give up and get my doctor to give me something else. I've already done Topamax (an anti-epilepsy drug that worked, but the side effects weren't pretty) ...... And that's probably more information than is necessary, because all I really want to know is if the Verapamil worked for you.

[rendean]

HI Steacher,

Yes the verapamil did help with my migraines but unfortunately I had to stop taking it for  othr reasons. The headaches are creeping back in . I am trying NOT to take something for every twinge of a headache so that I do not develop rebound headaches when I stop taking the over the counter meds.

I still take prescription Fioricet for migraines and it does take the edge off but not like my verapamil. From one migrainuer to another, best wishes for a pain-free days and nights!
Ren

[steacher988]

Hi rendean,

I know what you mean about rebound headaches. I was getting them last semester. Now I only take anything if the headache is impairing my life, which these days, is at least once a week. I'm a student teacher, and my students are very good at getting me frustrated and stressed out, which is one of the main triggers of my migraines.

Looking at the bottle, my Butal is actually a generic of Fioricet, and yesterday was the first time it didn't work. I've only had this prescription for a couple weeks, though, so saying that this is the first time it didn't work isn't really saying much.

Maybe our migraines are different, though, because the Verapamil is doing nothing for me, while it worked for you. But if it worked for other people, I'll give it more time before I decide to try something else.

Thank you for the pain-free wishes! I hope you find something that works.
Steacher