I had horrible side effects titrating up on Zoloft but NO side effects with Neurontin. Neurontin, so far, has been like a dream come true. Not a cure, but it got me out of bed and functioning around the house like a partially normal human being.
If need be I will try other ACs.
Here is the way ACs work, as explained by a neurologist, through a friend of mine:
"Your brain waves move along like waves in a swimming pool. They have a particular rhythm. Even if that rhythm is considered “off” from normal (different epilepsies, depression, mania, etc.), it is your rhythm. Your brain is accustomed to that rhythm.
The introduction of an anti-convulsant (of any type) disrupts that rhythm. If the dose given is out of sync enough with what actually was needed, the disruption can be great enough to “slosh water out of the pool” (so to speak) and actually lead to greater instability.
Conversely, even if the dose is “dead on”, the “shock” of the AC may only put the wave “right” for a brief time before inertia pulls it back to its original pattern.
Ideally, the AC will “shock” the wave into “normal”, and then a titration upward of said AC will keep that wave in place."
The point being, SEs during titration are expected, but once you find your right dose, hopefully things will calm down. A slow titration will give you the most good effect from the drug.
Hi Adam that could be true, I dont feel on my last appiontment that he gave me anything I didnt already know about, and has basically handed me on to a GP, after hearing a few people talk about nerontin, I might give it a go as it sounds pretty safe, thats if the verapamil dosnt work.
it good to hear Julie talk about her experience with anticonvulsants give me some hope.
jen
Verapamil still working pretty good for me, although I’m not symptom free. Nonetheless, I am confident enough that I’ve accepted a full-time job, which is the first time I will have worked full-time outside of the home in almost 3 years. It should be interesting to see how it goes.
As an aside, I’ve mentioned in some previous threads that valium has been effective for me. Dr. Hain has me on 5mg per day (2.5 in the morning & 2.5 at night), although sometimes I reduce the dosage quite a bit…by about 1/2. Didn’t show up on my drug screen, which surprised me. I had informed my employer of the two medications I take for prior to the screen just in case it showed up. It’s a benzo, and they test for that.
Hi mx, how long have you been taking verapamil and at what dose are you on?
glad to here its working so well.
doctors gave me valium to try at first, but after the 2nd week I had started to become anxious on it, sound silly hey, its supposed to do the opposite.
Ive had times before when benzo’s for sleeping tabs had made me very moody and irritable the next day. I dont know why.
I’m definatley med sensetive.
It peeves me though because while taking it, I never had a migraine and dizziness was gone almost emediatly. so sad.
also im worried about becomming addicted as benzo’s
I’m glad somethings working for someone.
jen
MSDXD…Glad to hear you are making improvements with Verapamil. I am presently taking 240mg per day. The tension in my head feels a bit less and somewhat more calm…but i still have to depend on one tab of Xanex per day. I tried lowering the xanex to 1/2 tab but so far no cigar. The 29th of January will make One month that i have been taking Verapamil. I believe in one of your posts you said it took approx 5-6 weeks to feel some improvement…is that correct? The way i see it…the day that i can do without the one tab of xanex…then i will know that the Verapamil is definitely helping.
MSDXD…Glad to hear you are making improvements with Verapamil. I am presently taking 240mg per day. The tension in my head feels a bit less and somewhat more calm…but i still have to depend on one tab of Xanex per day. I tried lowering the xanex to 1/2 tab but so far no cigar. The 29th of January will make One month that i have been taking Verapamil. I believe in one of your posts you said it took approx 5-6 weeks to feel some improvement…is that correct? The way i see it…the day that i can do without the one tab of xanex…then i will know that the Verapamil is definitely helping.
What are your thoughts on this?
Thanks,
Joe
— End quote
When I first started taking verapamil in August, it worked a lot quicker than I thought…just a few days…and it kept improving. However, I took a backward step in when I started taking Ambien in late September. I kind of went a little downhill from there.
The weather effects me quite a bit with this ailment, so we increased the dosage of verapamil and valium in early November. It gradually kicked in over time and helped me quite a bit.
I’m at 1200 and hoping to increase again this week. This has been a no-sweat titration, no SEs at all except the first day maybe a little sedation, which felt good because the Zoloft had me pretty wired. The overall effect of the Neurontin so far has been to take the edge off the arousal from the Zoloft, so I’m sleeping better, much better energy, i’m up most of the day instead of in bed, and, most important, improvement in my dizziness. It has not been a cure, and i would like to continue increasing my dosage. I wouldn’t be surprised, though, if I end up having to add something else, or even switch Zoloft to Effexor. I’ll do whatever it takes at this point. It feels great to have some improvement. I give Neurontin the thumbs up!
Are you at a point where you can get thru weeks without taking the anti-anxiety medication? I find myself still relying on it. It’s a very small amount but still need it to function.
Also…are you moving while the world around you is calm or are you calm and the world around you in moving?
Are you at a point where you can get thru weeks without taking the anti-anxiety medication? I find myself still relying on it. It’s a very small amount but still need it to function.
Also…are you moving while the world around you is calm or are you calm and the world around you in moving?
Joe
— End quote
In the winter, the answer would be no. I vary between 5mg per day and 2.5mg per day.
When the weather warms up, I can go about 5mg per week.
One more question, has your heart rate decreased on verapamil?
Julie
— End quote
For me, it has not decreased my heart rate. At rest, I fluctuate between 45 - 52 bpm, and have for a long time. I was a competitive swimmer for a long time, and now ride the stationary bike about 130-150 miles per week. Cholesterol is 160, and triglycerides are 83.
Everyone is different, however. Definitely, definitely check with your doctor, and get other opinions as well before going on verapamil…or increasing a dosage. I recall that at one time you were a dancer, and have a low heart rate. I don’t know if verapamil would put you in the danger zone.
thanks for that info. My neuro-oto will not give me verapamil because of my low heart rate. Yes, I used to be a dancer, thanks for remembering. I haven’t danced in a few years, but my heart rate is still 48-53 or so. My BP is low, but not dangerously so.
You’re lucky to have such a good doc who can weigh these risks and benefits.
here is another update on one of the girls from the mdds site who has mav,
for those of you who can use verapamil,
Well yesterday I had the ultimate test of my remission. I went to a
George Strait/Josh Turner concert. It was a 3hr round trip. I had
nose bleed section tickets at the Savemart Center in Fresno. We were
so high a bald eagle flew by. There was lots of light action, loud
music and a huge huge crowd. I literally had to balance like on a
balance beam to get to my seat b/c the walk way was so narrow and the
seating was straight down, scared my husband even and he doesn’t
scare easy. The concert was 4 hrs long, or actually short, I wish it
could have gone on for 4 more. Anyway I am happy to report it’s
still smooth sailing. I still have been getting occasional hiccups
here and there, but now that I found the exact right amount of
Verapamil, things have been really good. This concert was a true
test. It had all the elements that should of set me off, loud music,
lights, crowds,heights, and a long car ride.
Hope it continues this way b/c I have alot of concerts to go to from
now on. No matter what I will still go, it’s just nice to not have
to suffer thru it.