First time post, swollen lower legs prescribed nifedipine

[Mycatishoney]

Hello, this is my first post and I’m wondering if anyone else has the same symptoms as me. I was diagnosed several years ago with raynauds and have been self managing until recently. I booked a GP appt a few months back as was suffering with swollen and burning lower legs, feet were so swollen I couldn’t wear shoes. The GP commented on my blue toes and said that it was raynauds causing the symptoms and prescribed nifedipine. After taking these for a week, it got worse and then better, then worse and then better again. GP in the meantime referred me to a vascular specialist to access my veins as I suffer with varicose veins on both legs. Saw him today and he also said it was raynauds and there was only two options, take the tablets (which have a side effect of ankle swelling), or wear socks and gloves (and no I’m not joking). Has anyone else suffered with lower limb swelling and burning and been suggested it’s raynauds?

Any help would be appreciated!

Thankyou so much .

[Sosie]

A couple of things. Raynaud’s does not usually cause swelling or burning as such. You may have Raynaud’s but I think those particular symptoms are probably due to something else. Limb swelling is a fairly common side effect of nifedipine and felodipine. I had this with those drugs (except with me it was my arms). I was switched to a drug called lacidipine, which worked without the limb swelling. I think you need another opinion on the burning sensation in your legs. Could it be neuropsthy? Hope you het it sorted.

[Sanmateogirl107]

ask doctor about tumerick, pepper, honey and milk great anti-inflammatory, amlodipine and fish oil. good luck please see a pain specialist as well. love julie

[florr]

Gloves and socks for your first response..My finger tips are damaged and painful from opening cold doors or handles...i message them at times..no meds taken yet for it..

[98percentGorilla in reply to florr]

I have exactly the same problem. When the ambient temperature drops below 15°C virtually anything I touch sets off a reaction. One of the worst problems is travelling on public transport and having to hold on to bars and handles to steady myself. It always starts off an attack and my usual strategies for dealing with it aren’t available when I’m in a crowded place so I’m screwed. I have tried every kind of gloves including using silk liners and gloves laced with silver thread and the only thing that works for me are leather gloves lined with rabbit fur. Even then it is essential that I put them on before I go out when my hands are warm. If they chill first and then I put the gloves on it doesn’t help.

It’s a problematic solution if you have moral issues with leather or rabbit fur but it’s the only thing that works for me. The gloves were fearsomely expensive but worth every penny.

[Ncoff]

I get swollen feet was told it was side effect of nifedipine

[cleoshome]

With Raynaud's you have to wear warm socks, most of the time. Gloves are a must in the cold, getting into the freezer even , grocery stores etc. Air conditioning cannot be very low either. Heating blankets all year long are my friends now. I was switched from nifedipine to aggrenox because of the circulation problems of severe reynauds. Hope this helps.

[Choughwatcher]

I have swollen feet and legs, but for years it went by the by, and shrugged off by various doctors, until a lovely surgeon wondered what the reason was, decided to investigate, one thing he organised was a particular scan , can't remember what sorry, it's when radioactive dye is injected in feet and tests lymph nodes. They found mine weren't working, in both legs, diagnosis is lymphedema and now have been prescribed support stockings in the hospital lymphoedema clinic. They do help but it's a life long condition apparently. Before this I was told all sorts ie it's water retention/over weight/big bones/but ive had swollen feet/ankles over 30 years! About 15 years ago I got Achilles tendonitis, which then ruptured 2 years later, misdiagnosed as ok until 6 months later happened by chance to come across a good gp, he referred to osteo surgeon, who fast tracked me, had corrective surgery within 2 weeks, sadly wasn't successful, esp as 9 months after rupture. On cast and boot removal I later noticed swollen right knee and later again right thigh, i presumed it was all down to using dif knee muscles to walk, then years after I've thought its due to muscle wastage. Might not be anything in this for you, but thought I'd try to help. Take care