Weird Verapamil reaction any one else have this?

[Theguywiththebigheart]

Hi, I just started Verapamil yesterday and already feel different (more relaxed and my double beats seem less obvious).
However, last night was very strange. Got to sleep fine but at 2 AM-5AM woke and had the feeling like I was short of breath? Not a good feeling.

Has anyone experienced this or similar? I take one pill 120mg

Thanks,

Ron

[vmcmahon]

Re: Weird Verapamil reaction any one else have this?

Hi, I just started Verapamil yesterday and already feel different (more relaxed and my double beats seem less obvious).
However, last night was very strange. Got to sleep fine but at 2 AM-5AM woke and had the feeling like I was short of breath? Not a good feeling.

Has anyone experienced this or similar? I take one pill 120mg

Thanks,

Ron

Hi Ron, Welcome to the board.

I am on verapamil now for a couple of years, I also concur that you feel much better after taking one of those. Under normal circumstances i never felt that shortness of breath, however I did experiance it, but after way too many beers or a very heavy meal and a few glasses of wine. Since i started on Norpace i have not had this feeling.


Thanks

Vinnie

[Lisa Salberg]

I have had that feeling with and without verapimil - it is rather common with HCM to feel this.

By the way - I LOVE your screen name!

Sincerely,
thegirlwiththebigheart
AKA
Lisa

[Theguywiththebigheart]

Thanks Lisa,
Day 3 and I am feeling great on this stuff! 20 years with SOB and now no SOB. I am VERY impressed with Verapamil so far and am surprised it had an immediate response/effect.

[Theguywiththebigheart]

One week and doing great who else like this stuff?

[Chuck]

I think I felt better overall when I was on verapamil. It didn't slow me down nearly as much as beta-blockers do. On the other hand...I still had "episodes" sometimes when my heart would just "take off" for no apparent reason. (almost always when just sitting in a chair, doing nothing...race for no reason). a beta blocker would be like putting the brakes on. slow it right down, quick.

I had to stop taking verapamil because of fertility issues. it might one day be a male "pill". and of course, this information is not on the label, by the way. and most MD's don't know anything about it. but ask any fertility specialists, and they'll tell you. long story. but anyway, as long as you're not planning on makin' babies...great! glad its working out for you.

I'm done with all that now, but I'm wary about going back to it, because it doesn't control my occasional "speed" issue. If they could tell me that I could go back on Verapamil, and take a b-blocker when my heart takes off, I'd do that. but they seem to have a problem with that course.

[Theguywiththebigheart]

Nooooooooonoononononon no more kids I am done lol.

Well two weeks into to it and doing ok. Typical constipation but manageable. I do feel a little "weird" on it now. Not even sure how to xplain. Having bad dreams getting up early and feeling a little more fatigued. Maybe its just me.......overall I think its helping my SOB after eating that I assumed to be normal for me over the last 20 years. Anyone else have long term comments?

Thanks,

[andrewwills]

I've been interested to read your comments on verapamil, i have been taking 480mg of verapamil now for 2 months and I'm still very symptomatic and have spontaneous increases in heart rates. So I'm not sure that its working that well for me.

[Eileen2345]

Before my Myectomy, Verapamil did not work well for me because of the obstruction I had.

Now, after my surgery, Verapamil works very well for me. I take 240 mg extended release daily. I have been taking Verapamil for 4 months. I do much better on Verapamil than a beta blocker.

On occasion, I will have irregular heart rhythms, but I had those for many, many years, well before I ever took Verapamil.

The only side effect for me on Verapamil is constipation
I take a natural laxative to help with that or I'd never go -- sorry, too much information --


I hope you feel better soon.

Hugs,
Eve

[Sarah]

Everyone responds differently to drugs. 1 person may be able to tolerate beta-blockers but not calcium channels and vice versa.

Me: verapimil is a nightmare. It would work for about 3 hours and then just stop, like a light switch. When the increased my dose, I would faint as soon as the blood level peaked. AGH!

Besides that short stint, I've been on one beta-blocker or another for 20+ years.

If you don't feel better, talk to your doctor asap.

[michael obrien]

just wondering I have been taking verapamil and toprol since I found out about my hcm,but it sounds like everyone is taking one instead of the other. any feedback would be appreciated.thanks mike

[NoCrash]

Mike,

I don't think it's unusual to find HCM'rs who are on both Beta Blocker and Calcium Channel Blocker. I took both for several years.

Regards,
Rob

[Sarah]

Actually, it is unusual to take both, even for HCMers. They both lower your blood pressure and it is very tricky to balance the doses of each.

If you are not feeling well, you need to talk to your doctor about why you are on both and what should be adjusted.

S

[cynthiaG]

I took Verapamil for a while ...hoping it would lessen my AFIB episodes. I felt great at first but eventually, it didn't do anything for my AFIB. Everyone responds differently to different meds. I have been off verapamil for about 6 weeks now and have finally figured out what was causing gastointestinal problems (constipation - bad!, stomach pain, belching,etc.) and it must have been that. Haven't had any symptoms since being off.