Hi fellow migraineurs-
I am wondering if anyone here has tried Verapamil (calcium channel blocker) and what the success and side effects have been for you. I’ve just been prescribed it as prophylaxis but haven’t started yet.
Some background: I am 31, and have suffered from migraines for the last 9 years. In the last 3 years (after moving to the west coast), my migraines went up to 3 times per week. In the past, I only got them 1-2/month (usually mentrually-related) and I could just treat them with a drug similar to Cafergot. Once they escaled to several times a week, I decided to try prophylaxis. The first drug I tried was 25mg amitriptyline, which brought them down but I stopped due to side effects like sleepiness and weight gain. I took that for about 1.5 years. Next I went on propranolol 80mg time-release. This worked really well at first, and then it stopped working as well. Side effects were similar to amitriptyline, probably worse. I have lowish blood pressure to begin with, so I never thought going on this drug was a great idea, but it was worth a shot. I took it for 4 months.
This brings me to today—my GP told me to try Verapamil, which I am skeptical about because since it too lowers blood pressure, I’m expecting similar side effects as the propranolol. But I figured it is worth a shot. I did bring up Topomax with her, since I’ve heard great things about it, but I think she was scared to prescribe it before we exhausted the more “benign” possibilities. I am moving in a couple of months and I am figuring that if the Verapamil doesn’t work, or also gives me bad side effects, I’m going to start fresh by seeing a neurologist in my new city.
Any suggestions would be great. Also, does anyone know if calcium supplements should be avoided when on Verapamil? Thanks!