I have SSc and take nifedipine for rays with good effect but have had a lot of oedema, flushing and night sweat so consultant advised trying amlodipine. Started it Sat and have had terrible insomnia since, barely slept for 3 nights and struggled at work yesterday.
Has anyone had or heard of this? Is it transient? I'd be interested to hear others experience it seems to work for rays and I am less flushed and oedematous but need sleep.
Sorry to hear that you are having such bad side effects. It seems that different people react differently to both of these drugs. It was headaches, nausea & rising BP that killed it for me.
I am now on Sildenafil (Viagra) which is an excellent vasodilator. It did produce really bad headaches when I started on 25mg once a day but I persevered because of the huge benefit I got. The side effects disappeared after about 3or 4Days. I gradually built it up to 25 x3 daily & then it was increased to 50 so I had to go through the same build up as before & it settled down to no side effects, only the benefit of warm hands & feet. My nails started to go when the blood supply was improved. I still have attacks & use a FTW far infra red heat belt that you can buy online from FTW Scotland.
Hope this helps
Hello amd21.
I took amlodipine for years for the treatment of high blood pressure - it was prescribed by my GP. I developed oedema which was uncomfortable and unsightly in fact quite severe.
In recent years since being diagnosed with systemic sclerosis and all that comes with it - I was referred to the kidney consultant. He instantly advised that I stop taking amlodipine and he prescribed Ramipril for my high blood pressure. For the first time in years I have think legs again and have just started wearing knee length skirts again. For years while on amlodipine I was living in floor length skirts or trousers.
Having said that I think amlodipine is prescribed for different conditions.
Thanks for answering - my BP is fine its the vasodilation effect i need and it is helping (my feet aren't warm but they aren't ice'y so its working) and my oedema is much less than with nifedipine so as long as the insomnia passes I think i'll persist for now.
Thankfully all my systems are good bloods very healthy apparently apart from tons of autoantibodies but so far only severe Raynauds & GORD kidneys fine.
Good luck to you,
a
If you only need it for vasodilation then look into sildenafil. Amlodipine has given me the exact symptoms you described. My legs have been swollen since I started taking it. The water pill hydrochlorothiazide helped reduce some of it. I will be looking into the Ramipril. Thank you Betsie
Newly Diagnosed
How long do you stay off work with Scleroderma/Polymyositis?
Auto immune diseases and dizziness in the work place... advice needed
