Verapamil - Reactions or Opinions

[BrodyB]

My son Lee was changed to Verapamil (120 mg.) from Atenolol (50 mg.) yesterday due to asthema symptoms and counter indicative treatments.

I know with the Atenolol he would be tired and have some days when he simply could hardly get out of bed. His HCM symptoms also did not seem to change...constant low level chest pain and SOB. He also had sleeping problems where it seems the body was out but the mind was working overtime.

What are your experienses with Verapamil that we may need to know about and watch for. Thanks. :?:

[Robert Hartwell]

Brody,

When I first started Verapimil (V) I was only on a Beta-Blocker and was still having symptoms. I was first taking 120mg, then 240mg, then 360mg. At 360mg, I started to feel lightheaded especially when standing from a lower position. I went back to 240mg and stayed there for over a year. I did not have sideeffects during the day, but at night I would always feel wiped. I'm sure is was a combination of HCM+Meds.

Bob

[Sarah]

Hi,

Beta-blockers should be weaned off of, not just stopped cold turkey. Sometimes there is a rebound effect or even withdrawal-like symptoms.

Most people do fine on calcium channel blockers, however, be sure to look for dizziness or low blood pressure.

take care,

S

[Lisa Salberg]

Brody-
I think that trip to the States is a good idea, we need to balance his meds and and HCM specialist can really help in this area.
Lisa

[BigHeart]

I think one should be cautious when asking about medicaton, since every case is uniquely different. For instance, Verapamil has a vasodilating action, which would tend to worsen, for instance, a midventricular obstuction. One beta-blocker, Monocor (Bisoprolol Fumerate) would tend to lessen, for instance, a midventricular obstruction. Monocor, while it may be the most selective beta-blocker on the market, (and therefor of potential benefit to asthmatics) still has the potential to worsen asthma in some people. Certainly an HCM specialist should be the guide.

[BrodyB]

Lisa, I need to know what time lines we are looking at. Not being knowledgable concerning medical/physicological working and interactions with drugs I need a basis for understanding.

To work out a drug treatment with the specialist, how much time time is involved? I expect that we would have the initial visit of what length? Then we would have to return possible for adjustment visits to zero in to the proper and correct treatment. How long would those usually take? I would expect that they would have to wait for some period to be able to assess reaction to the medication after the body has become accustomed to it. Would Lee need to stop taking all medications prior to our coming to the U.S. for the initial visit?

I am trying to balance this with Lee's graduation in June and see what we may be able to accomplish maybe at spring break (1 week).

Thanks. By the way, hope you enjoyed the ???hmmm??? Viking camp???

[sueb]

I was very lucky to be able to work with my doctor by email. Had an initial visit and prescription. Then emailed him about what was happening and what I thought was the thing to do. He emailed back and changed the prescription by phone to the pharmacy) or told me why he thought my opinion was wrong. Once I had to tell him that he was wrong about, well, probably something he was assuming about me--he hadn't gone back to check the record.

Something that could have been very miserable if I had had to wait for appointments was handled quite efficiently. I LOVE EMAIL!!! Don't know how many doctors would be willing to do this but it was a godsend for me.

Sue

[rhonda]

hi,
i had always taken atenelol and it worked o.k. for me, but after a visit to dr sherrid in nyc, my local cardiologist changed me to verapamil at his suggesation.
i experienced severe flushing, heat intolerance and felt like dirt.
after 1 week she changed me to corgard 20mg and now i am back to normal (whatever that is)