Reducing Nifedipine dose for the warmer months?

[andy7551]

I am on 20mg x 2 daily Nifedipine for secondary Raynauds, I started in the Autumn last year.

I know I need to consult my Rheumatologist about this but wondered if others do the same ?

Now the weather is warming up, I'm finding it's very easy to go into overheat mode, in that my hands start to swell up uncomfortably and turn red. All it takes is for the room to warm up a bit, or a hot drink/meal etc, or sunlight through a car window.

Yesterday was unusual in that I felt really off after taking my morning dose - my temperature varied across my body, legs & feet too warm, I had a headache and a slight light headedness, and a general feeling of being off/unwell/uneasy. This lasted until the afternoon. I didn't take my evening dose and I felt fine in the evening.

Does anyone else find this, and have their dose adjusted for the summer?

[Swipe]

Hi andy7551

I’m on Losartan for my raynauds and I only take it when the weather is cold. Don’t use it in the summer months as it’s not needed. This was the advice given to me by my rheumatologist.

Worth talking to your rheumatologist soon before the weather really warms up. Hope that helps.

[pinkcat26]

I take mine all the time, even when abroad, but i find that my raynauds is never controlled in the winter, just made slightly better. I have tried everything, even iloprost infusion, but the only thing that works a little is Nifedipine. However, i feel i may be an extreme case, as i even get cold hands when its 30 degrees, if i pickup a drink! I guess its really what suite you, if it were me i'd try and see, as getting a extra rheumi appointment is hard. If you rheumi has a nurse line, you could try phoning them

[LadyTrundle]

I've always stopped mine in the summer - you're right, when the outside temperature warms up, the double- enlarging of the blood vessels makes one dizzy, headaches, finger swelling etc. I don't think it's dangerous, but unpleasant and not necessary if your raynauds is fine. All Rheumatologists and GPs I've spoken to agree it's fine to do and put me in charge. One or two have even suggested it's good to give your blood vessels a 'rest' from Nifedipine, so it is more effective in winter.

[andy7551 in reply to LadyTrundle]

That makes a lot of sense doesn't it? The body adapts to Nifedipine, so having a rest from it in the Summer would make it more effective in Winter.

I will contact my rheumatology phone line and see if I can take a lower dose or stop taking it. I'm well overdue an appointment with them but not holding my breath, but at least with the phone line a nurse gets back to you or sends information to my GP.

Thanks all!

[Choc73]

Hi I stop taking it May to Sept and my consultant said it is ok to do that.

[Sashmo_L]

I take 20mg nifedipine twice a day in the winter. We travel quite a lot and if in a hot country my hands and ankles swell so I was advised to take 10mg instead. I also suffer from high blood pressure and the nifedipine helps with that so I can’t stop it entirely.