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Scleroderma & Raynaud's UK (SRUK)

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Raynauds

Sausagefingers profile image
10 Replies

Hi I have been prescribed Coracten SR capsules 10mg twice a day for Raynauds. Anyone one using these, are they helpful, what are the side effects ?

Many thanks,

Patsy

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Sausagefingers profile image
Sausagefingers
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10 Replies
darkdreamer profile image
darkdreamer

I was prescribed coracten tablets and I have found they improved my Raynauds. My fingers don't go numb as much and when they do it's not as long till the blood starts to flow. Negative is, that I now have gum inflammation. My dentist said that coracten could have affected my gums.

Sausagefingers profile image
Sausagefingers in reply to darkdreamer

Oh no that's not good, I can't tolerate any meds so I'm hesitant to even start this one 😫 thanks for your reply and good luck.

Patsy

Coracten SR is a slow release nifedipine which is often helpful for Raynaud's because it dilates the blood vessels. I find starting with just one a good idea to get used to it.

Sausagefingers profile image
Sausagefingers in reply to

Thanks for your reply I to was thinking of only starting on one. Still unsure at the moment as I cant tolerate the side effects of most meds.

Best of luck

Patsy

tanya1981 profile image
tanya1981

Hi,

I used to take Coracten a few years ago- think it helped initially With healing my ulcer but I don’t think it was very useful after all - my symptoms continued, it’s probably the length of the spasms that was only reduced. Eventually, I decided to get ginghko Biloba instead of Coracten - no major difference either but at least without the side effects. I was getting quite a worrying heart beat and some Anxiousness with the Coracten... definitely start with smaller doses

Sausagefingers profile image
Sausagefingers in reply to tanya1981

That's really useful feedback, it's the side effects that concern me. I think I will give Ginko Biloba a try, as you say no side effects. Good luck and thank you.

Patsy

cagol profile image
cagol

I found nifedipine really helpful the first time I used it (I take it for 14 days and that sorts me out for the season) but the next time it made me feel woozy after a few days as I usually have low blood pressure. This was predictable as nifedipine is usually given to people with high blood pressure to try to bring it down, so I wasn't surprised! I was back to normal as soon as I stopped taking it though, so I didn't regret trying it as the side effects didn't last.

Sausagefingers profile image
Sausagefingers in reply to cagol

Hi I to have low blood pressure so no doubt the side effects will be quite severe. I'm still unsure about taking them, as at this point I'm fed up being unwell from trying different medication. I'm going to try Ginko Biloba tablets as suggested on a previous post. Fingers crossed they may help af a little 🤞 Thanks for your input, it has been helpful.

Patsy

cagol profile image
cagol in reply to Sausagefingers

Good luck Patsy!

I honestly find that controlling temperature works well enough to avoid symptoms without drugs. I even spent nearly 2hours at a firework display yesterday with no pain. 3 layers of gloves, 2 pairs thick socks over tights, thermal trousers, 3 tops under a ski jacket, all put on a while before leaving the house to warm them up - you need to keep your core warm as well as your extremities and not have gaps between the cuff of your gloves and your sleeves. Most of the time you can predict when you'll have an attack and be prepared. The more attacks you have, the easier it seems to be to trigger them so avoiding attacks by keeping warm is really important. Cutting out caffeine, alcohol and nicotine also helps.

Sausagefingers profile image
Sausagefingers in reply to cagol

Thank you, everything you said makes perfect sense, forward planning is a must for any outside activities.

Good luck and best wishes getting through the coming winter.

Patsy 👍

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