Nifedipine - how do YOU take it?

[Purple_Badgers]

Hi! The rheumatologist I last saw has sent a vague instruction to my GP recommending that I take nifedipine “in the winter months”, but not specifying strength, frequency etc.

This is to combat what I think is worsening Raynaud’s in my hands - permanently wrinkled fingertips as if I’ve just come out of the shower, reduced sensation and grip, freezing fingers that go white and painful with cold or simply change of temperature or vibration/pressure, random shooting pains down my fingernails etc (I don’t have actual sores or marks, just very pink shiny skin.)

But this is all the time… it was happening in Spring when I saw the rheumy, and it’s happening now in “Summer”. So when does Winter start?? Haha! 😜 Will I only be allowed nifedipine for 3 specific months of the year?? The rest of the time I just carry on and suffer?? I don’t get it.

Also wondering what the usual dose would be, for someone starting out? I presume it has to be taken pretty regularly to have any effect, not like popping the occasional painkiller.

How do you take yours? x