Can Raynauds cause symptoms elsewhere in body?

[SovietSong]

Hi everyone,as well as the classic signs on the fingers etc can Raynauds cause migranes(which radiates into ear/jaw area and gastro issues(burping after eating/drinking?I was recently diagnosed and rheumatologist has trialled me on 5mg nifedipine 3 times daily.I am one week into the meds and as yet have felt no improvement.The headaches almost seem worse since starting the meds.Will my body need some time to adjust to them?Any advice offered would be greatly appreciated,many thanks.

[boome]

hello SovietSong. I have had both migraines and gastric problems the way you describe them. I have Raynaud but also diffuse scleroderma and maybe these symptoms are related to the latter. I suggest you consult a rheumatologist about the symptoms and ask for a complete immunology test if you haven’t had that already.

As for the migraines, a neurologist told me that they might be due to blood vessel contraction and change in blood flow, still can’t answer if it is because of Raynaud. When it comes to managing them, taking ibuprofen with paracetamol as soon as possible usually helps. Also avoiding light and noise. It is been almost a year that I haven’t had a migraine attack, but when I had them they sure were awful, the pain reflected on my jaw and ear and I could only crawl to bed and try to sleep.

Speak with your rheumatologist about the symptoms in any case.

I wish you all the best

Boome

[SovietSong in reply to boome]

Many thanks for reply boome, from what I have read I did suspect scleroderma.The nifedipine seems to have heightened my migranes/gastro issues if that makes sense.Apparently it can take around two weeks for the meds to take effect so I’m hoping to see improvement next few days.If not I will be in contact again with my GP and rheumatologist.As lots of these things seem to mimic each other they seem really difficult to diagnose.thanks again for reply.

[Oleander1]

I have had migraines since childhood but with limited scleroderma and Raynaud’s I find the migraines spread from the muscles at the base of my skull and jaw. This sometimes causes the whole side of my face to go cold for hours on end which is distressing. I often wear hoodies to keep my face warm!

I take Lansaprazole for my gut issues but think this is more to do with the scleroderma and fibromyalgia. Definitely go and get checked out with your doctor.

[Midgebite21]

Headaches unfortunately are a side effect of the nifedipine medication. This category of drug is known as a vasodilator so it widens and opens the vessels, not only in the extremities but systemically. Other side effects are dizziness and nausea. It will settle after a couple of weeks if you persevere. The best thing for Raynauds I’ve found is to know your triggers and avoid these situations as much as possible, for me drafts, wind and air conditioning are a major trigger . I always carry gloves even in summer and keep my core temperature up by wearing loose layers. Hats and scarves are a must. I live in Scotland so drafts and wind are very common problems. The nifedipine won’t stop the attacks but can greatly improve the severity and duration of them. Mitigation is the best line of defence.

[SovietSong in reply to Midgebite21]

Thanks for replying Midgebite, I am one week into the meds but have read and been told that they can take few weeks to settle.The rheumatologist did tell me that the nifedipine can be quite harsh medication.

[Fishie1]

I was told the trick with Nifedipine is to get the dose just below the level of causing headaches. I'm on Amlodipine now as I find it easier to deal with.

[Taylorann1 in reply to Fishie1]

I also take amalodapine

[andy7551]

A week is a very short period of time. Migraine could just be coincidental.

Read all the side affects on the sheet that came with the medicine.

5g x 3 times a day is quite a low dose.

I am on 20mg x 2 times a day, I think there was a period of my body adjusting to them, regards slight dizziness when getting up.

Contact your prescriber if the problems continue.

[SovietSong in reply to andy7551]

Thanks Andy, yes I'm going to give the current dose another week and then contact my GP. I understand a med like this needing to start on low dose.

[SBQ1971]

I have never taken Nifedipine as Lssc is my main problem but people I know who take it say that they had to start with a very small dose and work up to the proper dose slowly.

[Bec-Ray9]

migraines seem to be a reoccurring symptom of either Raynauds or scleroderma. I have raynauds with tests ongoing for suspected scleroderma. Nifedipine does take a while to get used to in your system so I’d at least give it a month. I’m not long mer on this med as I didn’t get any benefits, currently on Tadalafil and omeprazole for the gastro issues.

Hope your symptoms settle and your consultant can get a handle on the best meds for you

[SovietSong in reply to Bec-Ray9]

Many thanks for reply Bec-Ray, good luck with your current meds also😁

[rumaya2023]

I was on nifedipine myself and couldn't tolerate it, I ended up on sildenifil (good old viagra!). Nifedipine increased headaches without a doubt for me but everyone is different. I think some side effects can reduce over time or cease all together, worth giving it a try though if it can help. Hope you manage to find a way forward and to ease symptoms

[SovietSong in reply to rumaya2023]

Hi Ramaya, thanks for reply.How long and at what dose did you take Nifedipine for?Are you still taking Sildenifil currently?Ive been taking 5mg nifedipine three times daily for just over 2 weeks.Been told by some people that it can take around a month to take full effect.It’s a strange one to work out as one of my symptoms had been headaches yet one of the main side effects of nifedipine is headaches.

[rumaya2023 in reply to SovietSong]

I was only on it for a couple of months, the increase in headaches was too much especially when teaching a class of 30 noisy teenagers at the time. believe I only got up to 5mg up to 3 times daily if I remember correctly, mainly because of the time between my rheumatology appointments. sildenifil I take 25mg up to 3 times daily instead, I try not to use it when the weather is better but even the temperature differences from in the shower to out of the shower sets my raynauds off...so can't always win! Hope the headaches stop for you, its always worth seeing it through before having to try another. Sildenifil for me can make me overheat and with EDS too I don't like the combo hence trying to not take it all the time, it's like my face turns to fire but it's for blood flow so at least it works! I do t know how it would be for men though