I've suffered with secondary Raynauds for 7 years....shortly after a heart operation and was diagnosed with scleroderma 2 years ago. My Raynauds has progressively got worse despite meds including Illoprost infusions twice yearly. Last week I saw my rheumatologist and he's prescribed Viagra, we've all heard of it's use for men but just wondered if anyone here has benefited from it (or not!) for their Raynauds?
I guess I'm apprehensive again about adding yet another new med to my daily bucket full!
Hi. I have Raynaud’s secondary to small fibre neuropathy rather than Scleroderma. But my rheumatologist wanted me to try Sildenafil back in April when I was struggling with pain in my fingers. So I gave it a go but unfortunately it exacerbated my existing Sjögren’s related dryness problem in my nasal passages, causing swelling, headaches and nose bleeds. I think, in my case, it was unnecessary because Raynaud’s isn’t my main problem - and the nasal tissue can become engorged in much the same way as the male member it seems!
But others with Scleroderma related Raynaud’s have benefited a lot from it I believe.
A few months ago my Rheumatologist gave me Sildenafil to try to help my Raynaud's. I only took one tablet and my Husband had to ring 999 for help as I couldn't get my breath and was on the verge of passing out. My blood pressure had dropped really low. I was taken to Hospital to be monitored until it wore off and I was told not to take any more.
I have been on Sildenafil for more than two years and it helps boost peripheral bloodflow so I don't get cold fingers and feet. It has been a blessing. I take one (25 mg) before going out in the cold, otherwise I tend to take a half pill morning and afternoon. I have not experienced bad side effects beyond a warm feeling in my head. Evidently, I tolerate it well, though I understand this is not the case for everybody. Re. "its use for men", it has not led to any unwelcome priapism. I have no idea how that aspect might affect women!
Hi was prescribed Sildenafil for my server Raynauds but it just didn’t work for me. I didn’t have any of the reactions other people have had it just didn’t work. Good luck
Since my diagnosis for Limited Scleroderma in July I was put on a 6-week-course of Sildenafil 25mg 3x per day for my severe Raynauds. I noticeda positive difference within a week!
Once the course finished my fingers deteriorated within a week again. I have been put back on Sildenafil since, and although down to 1 tablet per day I saw a massive improvement within a week again. So I know for sure it's the Sildenafil that helped me (I'm also on Losartan & Fluoxetine).
Unfortunately since the cold temperatures set in, my fingers are as bad as ever, inspite of me upping my intake to 4 tablets per day (with the potential of further increase if this doesnt help - I was told I could take up to 6 per day in the worst case).
So where I was getting quite excited about having found the "wonder drug" r myself, I must now admit that even that seems to have its limit.
I wouldn't have thought that I have any noticable side effects, but reading about nose bleeds in one of the answers I might have to reconsider that as I have had a few recently even when unprovoked. I shall enquire further on this.
I guess I have to monitor my body even more closely!
I have also found to have become even more of a nut case than I was before (unfocused / forgetting stuff), but I need to find out which of the drugs that could stem from (I suspect it might be the fluoxetine (basically Prozac!)?)
Sildenafil works by opening the blood vessels, hence it is mainly being used in men with erectile dysfunction by doing just that in the lower parts of the men's body. The leaflet says the drug is not supposed to be taken by women, but by all means... if it helps to prevent finger ulcers... bring it on!
Yes I have been on it (sildenafil is its other name) for 8 years I take it two or three times a day depending on how cold it is and how my ulcers are and in summer I reduce it or stop altogether. Initially it makes you flused in the face and gives you a headache but after a day or two it's no problem at all.
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
Raynauds 
Ssc and secondary raynauds 
