Author Topic: Verapamil for Headaches (Read 20598 times)

Mei Mei · « **on:** June 08, 2010, 04:19:51 pm »

I went to a Headache specialist today and he gave me Verapamil for my long standing daily Post Operative headaches. He said it takes 3 weeks to take effect and to come back in a month and that it is used as a prevention for headaches. Has anyone ever tried this for their headaches before? What was your experience?

Mei Mei

Lizard · « **Reply #1 on:** June 08, 2010, 07:44:39 pm »

You have to keep us posted on how it works for you...

Mei Mei · « **Reply #2 on:** June 09, 2010, 05:49:21 am »

Will do. It made me sleepy. I'll have to take it before I go to bed at night. It says on the internet the same thing. I had another headache yesterday afternoon filling out the Social Security forms. Just sitting at the table bending my neck for half an hour brings on a terrible headache. It took me two days to get the forms completed.

Off to accupuncture this morning.

Take care,
Mei Mei

Lizard · « **Reply #3 on:** June 09, 2010, 10:31:30 am »

Bummer, but you said it takes time for the stuff to start working so be patient. Hopefully you're keeping a headache journal, because with the different meds and treatments you want to try and see what is really helping. Funny the headache that you had filling out the forms sounds just like mine, but I don't get these anymore due to the nerve block. Hopefully you are still considering the block as a possible treatment? Its not a steroid treatment per say and there was only a tiny amount of cortisone. I really think its worth a try for you...if that nerve is "upset" or compromised in some way you will have relief immediately.
Food for though I guess, but I"m happy you are trying new medications and treatments because there is so much out there that can help, but you won't know until you try

Talk to you soon,
Liz

Mei Mei · « **Reply #4 on:** June 09, 2010, 01:22:35 pm »

He said he'd try the nerve block after a month if the Verapamil doesn't work. What's in the nerve block? Cortisone and what else? I totally forgot to ask him. Does the doctor prep the area with lidocaine first before he puts the nerve block in. I'm getting nervous about this. It's in the office and I won't have anybody there to hold my hand. The older I get the more chicken I get....

The Chicken in Chevy Chase,
Mei Mei

Lizard · « **Reply #5 on:** June 09, 2010, 02:00:31 pm »

Mei Mei you are too funny. The Dr said he just flavored the shot with cortisone and then the nerve block medication that I can not for the life of me remember. I can look back at my notes, but its not a steroid so it doesn't make you nutty. He does not numb the area and it hurts when the needle goes in but there is an anesthetic in the injection as well so you are numb right after the treatment, I've heard some Dr's numb it first so you could most surely ask for it. Its very quick and the most annoying part is the "prep" or iodine/antiseptic they use to clean the area, got all in my hair yuck. He did a series of 4 blocks and then had a follow up with me. To be honest I probably only needed the first one, but I wanted all the relief I could get. The pain was minimized almost instantly and I'm still doing well with them. He only wants to hear from me if I'm in pain again, but it should last around a year if not forever (which does happen). Don't worry its not too bad and the numb head thing is great, your neck will be extra sore for a couple days, but its just an annoyance and can be helped with Tylenol/aleve or whatever you take.

Its something I think you should really consider, but let me see if I can figure out the medication they used.

Liz

Mei Mei · « **Reply #6 on:** June 09, 2010, 04:25:35 pm »

Oooohhhhh it hurts when the needle goes in? Then I have to hold my breath. Is it like having novocaine put in your gums by a dentist? I can handle that I guess, but this is on the back of my neck. It only hurts the one time, right? or every time he shoots it in? I'm getting psyched up for this. I do accupuncture two to three times a week and the needles are really thin. I hope these needles are thin, like 24 gauge or thinner. I wonder if he minds if I have a Heineken before the shot.

As always,

Mei Mei

Lizard · « **Reply #7 on:** June 10, 2010, 10:54:58 am »

You are too funny and it hurts when it goes in, but he shoots it really quickly. A valium might be a better idea than a Heinekin, but I can promise you that even if the blocks don't work great you will at least have a night of numb head and I wish sometimes that I could just keep it numb all the time

You crack me up

liz

Mei Mei · « **Reply #8 on:** June 10, 2010, 01:17:41 pm »

Heineken tastes better than a Valium; my tummy can attest to that. Plus it goes well with pizza. I wish you didn't tell me you feel it when it goes it. Yes, you do feel nerve agents when they go in like Atropine. Atropine I remember stings as it is going in. Well, whatever they put in a nerve block has to last a year, so it has to sting a lot! You know the saying: "No pain, no gain". I'm going to have to grin and bear this, if the Verapamil doesn't work over the next month. I had another headache in the middle of the night last night and had to wait for half an hour for the Motrin to kick in. One of these days something is going to work to zap these headaches.
Well, here's to you, Liz!

Thanks for the warning about the pain when it goes it so I can get my blood pressure up on the drive into the Doctor.

Mei Mei

Lizard · « **Reply #9 on:** June 10, 2010, 08:58:13 pm »

No worries hun its over so fast, but I'm not going to lie to you and tell you that it feels like nothing, but yes no pain no gain its totally worth it. I really hope that the verapamil works, but if not this is totally a valid option. I finally feel like I have my life back, its an amazing difference
Here's to you too
Liz

Mei Mei · « **Reply #10 on:** June 11, 2010, 10:30:34 am »

That's great to hear, Liz! Now I wish he did it for me on Tuesday and got it over with.

I have my retirement luncheon today at 1:30. We're expecting about 30 people so I'm excited. I haven't been at work since my surgery in Jan. and miss my friends. I retired on disability on March 31st. It was approved by the State because of my hearing and headaches. I am now being considered by social security. This AN has really changed my life drasitclly and everyone's on the forum. We just have to move on and make a difference in how we survive. The pins and needles in my neck are worrisome and should go away in a year. Just have to be patient.

Have a good weekend!!!
Mei Mei

Lizard · « **Reply #11 on:** June 11, 2010, 01:20:21 pm »

Wow congratulations on your retirement, so happy you were able to get disability, I know how hard it is to function and have wished many days that I could just run away and be done with work, but its not really an option for me so I've been plugging on.
Enjoy your party!
Liz

Mei Mei · « **Reply #12 on:** June 11, 2010, 02:03:06 pm »

I'm just back from my party. There were lots of nice people there and they roasted me. The food was great at the Lebanese Taverna and I got to take some home. They gave me a gold necklace with a lotus and a topaz as a present. There was a photographer there documenting everything.

Now I have to wait to hear about my Social Security Disability Retirement in August. Filling out the forms they sent me this week put my neck out and put me in two more headaches.

Thanks for the well wishes on retirement. This AN has put me in a new stage in my life and all of our lives.

Here's to you again!
Mei Mei

Captain Deb · « **Reply #13 on:** June 13, 2010, 01:21:05 pm »

I was on Verapamil for several months with zero results. The only preventive meds that ever helped were gabapentin (Neurontin) and Topamax. I take neither now. Go Botox!

My occipital nerve blocks were DepoMedrol which is a corticosteroid used to treat inflammation.

http://www.depo-medrol.com/

The injection hurts like hell and I almost passed out, but a nice nursie held my hand. Next time I took a Xanax and it still hurt like hell, but I really didn't care. Just call the clinic and tell them needles freak you out and they will prescribe a sedative. Believe me, they don't want you flinching!

Captain Deb

Mei Mei · « **Reply #14 on:** June 14, 2010, 04:08:14 pm »

Verapamil didn't work. Injections hurt like hell and you called a nursie to hold your hand. You almost passed out!!!! Oh my God. I can't stand thinking about it. Where do they put the Botox injections? In your Occipital area and neck, too just like the nerve block?

I went for my six month check up today and the ENT surgeon, Dr. Niparko said the Occipital Nerve blocks don't but Liz says they work.
He also said to switch from Motrin to Aleve because it works better and gave me a print out on Yoga exercises and wants to see me on the same day as the Neurosurgeon on my year anniversary in January.

I go through so much pain with the headaches, I guess I can go through pain for the shots, but I don't know if I am prepared for this passing out bit. My doctor's office doesn't have a nurse, just a secretary out front. I wish they could do these shots in hospital or in a clinic. I don't feel good about this at all.

Mei Mei

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