verapamil

[Gillybean123]

hi everyone. I had been on 1x120mg verapamil for 3 years. Then when I started having times when I could hear my heart beating all the while not just when lying down my doctor upped it to 2x120 per day. Then when I ended up in A&E a doctor in the night upped it to 3x120mg it made me feel so awful I couldn’t get out of bed. I was dragging myself around. I saw my cardiologist and she said I was taking enough dose for a Rugby player and told me to cut it down to two which I did. But I always feel wobbly on my legs and a bit lethargic. Does anyone else feel like this on it. I am seeing my doctor tomorrow to ask if I could lower the dose a bit. Any ideas anyone? X

[Brenda-j]

Sorry to hear of your problems. I was on 1x240mg for about 10 years with no problem. After an ablation 5 years ago I take 1x 120 for a slight flutter also no problems. I do take it before I go to bed. It sounds as if verapamil is a drug that just doesn’t suit you Perhaps you can change to a different drug. I hope you find something that suits you.

[KMRobbo]

I was put on 120mg verapamil extended release shortly after being diasgnosed with afib.I had less trouble/ frequency than you have generally, but

after some experimentation with

doses I obtained a supply of 40mg standard release from my GP.

If you used standard release you would take 40mg 3 times a day rather than one 120mg extended.

However I still took the 120mg extended release but if i had an issue with AFib them i took an extra 40mg , and after 4 or 6 hours a second if necessary.

My afib attacks were generally quite far apart at that time. (Ie not every day).

I wonder if this would work for you . Only take extra when necessary. Please note my impression was that the extra Verapamil took a few hours to take any effect.

[Snowgirl65]

I had major problems with Verapamil years ago, very similar to yours. Can you ask for an alternative?

[Gillybean123 in reply to Snowgirl65]

hi I have managed to get an appointment with cardiologist for 9th January. So will have to wait until then. I was on one per day for three years then it was upped by GP now the other day another GP says she doesn’t want to mess with what cardiologist says. So will have to wait. Have a good day.