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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by James Justice on August 20, 1999, at 11:14:04
Does anyone have any experience with Verapamil in the treatment of a mood disorder?
Please post if you know about this.
Posted by dove on August 23, 1999, at 9:13:26
In reply to verapamil as a mood stabilizer?, posted by James Justice on August 20, 1999, at 11:14:04
Hello,
I took verapamil for migraines and felt normal for the first time in my life. I tried to tell my internal medicine Dr. about this very dramatic change and he attributed it to the loss of my headaches. But, I know that the verapamil was the factor. Eventually my doc took me aff the verapamil and I am now utilizing Amitriptyline. The Ami is working even better for my migraines but my moodiness has returned with a vengeance. The lows don't last as long but the normalness that I felt on the verapamil has left. I have fought with depression all my life along with pretty wild ups and the verapamil was like a miracle drug for me and I still wish I was taking it. I was also on Tegretol as a teenager and all that did was turn me into a zombie. Give the verapamil a go, it may take a month to really kick in although I felt the difference within the 2nd week. Good luck!
~dove
Posted by Chris A on August 25, 1999, at 22:54:01
In reply to verapamil as a mood stabilizer?, posted by James Justice on August 20, 1999, at 11:14:04
James,
I took verapamil as a mood stabilizer in doses up to 640 mg/day for rapid cycling/mixed bipolar disorder for a period of two years. The only bothersome side effect was constipation. It was nice not to have any headaches for two years. Unfortunately my mood has remained unstable, so now we are working with the calcium channel blocker nimodipine, which has a high affinity for lipids and therefore, the brain. Verapamil would merit a trial if other mood stablilizers have been unsuccessful. See the article at "tips": http://www.dr-bob.org/tips/split/Verapamil-for-mania.html
The value of CCB's is debated by those "out-standing-in-the field." Some experts see them as under-utilized and under-researched in mood disorders.
This is the end of the thread.
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