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Verapamil and Heart Spasms

lvfrogs
0 Recommendations

Hello everyone,
I wanted to post this question to you all. I know I can ask my doctor and will give him a call, but sometimes, I find it best to ask from you all - the ones that are actually dealing with heart disease.

I was diagnosed with cardiac spasms and put on Verapamil and Plavix. My question is this: How often do you have spams, does the medication, especially Verapamil, start working pretty quickly?

I have been on the Verapamil since April and I still have spasms all the time. Not extremely painful ones, but I have one a day at least. I know this is not good for my heart but don't know if that is normal or not.

Any ideas? Thank you, once again!!!

Explore topics in this discussion:

Heart disease Dizziness Amlodipine Cardizem Diltiazem Verapamil Plavix Beta blockers Pain Stent Norvasc Stress

11 replies

martzj

Hi there,

Verapamil! That stuff is old as the hills.....It didn't work for me either. Created heavy fatigue and headaches (which it was supposed to help) and started sleep problems(which them became chronis, even after stopped taking). There are so many other meds that are helpful for spasms now.

take care,
Jaynie

Yatchzee

I take amlodipine for the spasms, which is generic Norvasc , a different Calcium channel blocker than you are taking. I think the CCB start working right away. I still have constant spasms but no pain, so rarely use the quick nitro, The spasms come for a few minutes all night long, then all morning, usually gone by afternoon. Just maddening but this goes on for days at a time, then nothing for awhile. Usually, after I get moving in the morning, they subside or I no longer notice them. Mine are fairly weak and I don't want to up the amlodipine because of side effects of swelling ankles and dizziness. ugh
Joyce

gracie62

I started on Norvasc when first diagnosed with coronary artery spasms. It only worked for a few months for me. Then I was switched to another CCB (can't remember which one) that didn't work at all. Finally, third time was the charm - I take Diltiazem (generic for Cardizem. Sometimes it takes playing with the dosage or even switching to another CCB to find which one works for you at what level. It seems like a pain to go through, but I have pretty good control at this time. The only time I have spasms is when triggers beyond my control rear up- sudden or extreme stress, extreme temps, etc.

Keep trying till you find what works for you. These spasms can be controlled and you can get your life back.

Take care -
Dianna

lvfrogs

Thank you everybody for responding. Jaynie, I haven't had any adverse effects from the Verapamil, just ongoing spasms and I thought it was supposed to cut down on the amount of them? Joyce, thank you. I have heard of Norvasc too. I don't have them all night long like you do, but they are still painful, just not extreme pain and they don't last long. Dianna, you always have great advice. From what all of you said, I guess I should call my doctor, maybe I need a larger dose or should try another type of medicine. I am going next week for a CT of my pelvic area. Since my last heart cath, I have had a spot that is extremely sore. It isn't where they went in, so not sure what is going on. Anyway, I think I will wait for those results and then talk to him about it all at the same time. You have given me good information as always. I hope one day I can repay it on here too. Thanks!
Colleen

Yatchzee

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calcium_channel_blocker

I thought this might be useful to you. It just gives a good explaination on the different CCBs and perhaps a different type may work a little better for you,
Joyce

careh

Dear Colleen, I am on Verapamil too....200mg per day, although my cardiologist actually "upped" me to 300mg. I stayed on the old dosage because I get sick of drinking prune juice so much (if you get my drift), and didn't want more adverse effects from a higher dosage. I also take 160 mg of beta blockers each day too. I still have symptoms, even on this much medication, but my next step is an AV node ablation which I can not afford.
Is it true that Verapamil can cause hair thinning? I've never had thick hair due to genetics, but I have to style carefully now. Just wondering....
Carolyn

lvfrogs

Thank you Joyce for the link. I will check that out next. I really appreciate you taking the time to post that!!
Carolyn,
Thank you for posting. I am only on 120mg Verapamil, so maybe I need mine upped a bit. I am going to take a look at the link Joyce sent. I hope it isn't true about Verapamil thinning hair! I haven't been on it all that long so I haven't noticed it with mine, but I will keep a look out for that. I have fairly thick hair.
What is an AV node ablation and why do you have to have it? If you don't mind me asking!
Colleen

MMaslek

Colleen,

I swear Ranexa makes my life bearable. My spasms are so bad when they took me off Ranexa for after an angio med adjustment, I made it 2 weeks until I was in the hospital on a high nitro drip. We thought the stent closed but it was just the spasms. Ranexa makes my spasms bearable to the point when I can function mostly normally. I haven't had any side effects but some people do. I was on Verapamil for almost 10 years before that. It did the trick for a while but either the spasms grew worse or I built an immunity to the med. Anyway, the Ranexa is expensive but for me, it has been totally worth it.

Amy

lvfrogs

Thank you Amy. I haven't heard of that drug. I will talk to my doctor when I see him next. I just wondered if the spasms were supposed to go away completely, but from what I can tell on most of these posts, they don't go away. They might be less or less painful, but still there. That is reassuring, believe it or not, because I just wasn't sure if I should still be having them or not. I am glad that Ranexa works for you!
Colleen

careh

Dear Colleen...an AV node ablation is where they actually ablate (burn out) the AV node and put you on a permanent defib. I already had one ablation 5 years ago, but my electrical problems are worse than ever. My doctor says that I will need the AV node ablation, but since I am uninsured, he wants to keep treating me with medications, hence the Verapamil, Corgard, and digitalis. Most days, they seem to do the trick! :)
You stay well too!
Carolyn

lvfrogs

Hi Carolyn,
That stinks because of no insurance that they won't do the procedure. I realize that you seem to be doing ok on the meds, but I get mad when I read about insurance in this country. Too many people without it that really need it. I hope you stay well for a long, long time! Have a good weekend,
Colleen

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