Nifedipine

[Mezgit]

Good morning everyone. I am on 3 ×5mg Nifedipine and still get some Raynaud's in fingers (I am using an electric blanket in the photo as gas in the UK is now far too expensive) and in cold weather in feet, outside. Does anyone have the same problem?

[Krazykat26]

I've found that a thin pair of fingerless gloves really helps to keep my fingers warmer. I can tuck my long sleeves into the tops of them too when I'm trying to keep the core warmth and still do stuff.

[Mezgit in reply to Krazykat26]

I haven't tried those ones yet. Sounds like a really good idea. Thank you

[OldTed60 in reply to Mezgit]

I find mittens work better for me than gloves because my fingers are better off when they can keep each other warm. I have rechargeable hand warmers for pockets when it’s really cold. I too use heated blankets a lot and dress in layers

[Mezgit in reply to OldTed60]

Yes I was thinking about mittens... they are easier to put on and take out. But if at home, I suppose you can do some chores with fingerless gloves more easily?

I tried basic hand warmers and couldn't manage to use them. Rechargeable ones sound more efficient.

[Krazykat26 in reply to Mezgit]

You're welcome ☺️Sorry I should have said that I wear the fingerless gloves indoors..all the time. When I go out I keep them on and put a silk pair of gloves over the top of the fingerless. I have a muff too and rechargable handwarmers. Indoors I also wear a thin chemo hat and a light silk scarf that I wrap twice around my neck. It stops the draughts n helps keep my core warm. This is all INSIDE the house though 😹Hot water bottle is my best friend too.

[Mezgit in reply to Krazykat26]

Thank you. Yes I also have 2 different sizes of hot water bottles. I take the small one in my bag when I go out.

[Chumpy]

I'm on 60mg a day struggling at the moment as it has dropped colder my fingers hurt from when I get up to when I go to bed I'd love to say I have found something that has helped but not at the moment

I suppose the medication makes it a little bit

[Mezgit in reply to Chumpy]

That sounds really difficult ...🤍 Do you also have a strong side effect with that dosage?

[Chumpy in reply to Mezgit]

It's not the best but you sort of have to learn to live with it I spend a lot of time outdoors as well which doesn't help but I have horses & they need looking after Side effects not that I have noticed I have had to come off hrt as that was making my raynaurds worse

I've finally got an appointment with rheumatology next week so fingers crossed can get some answers/ help

[Mezgit in reply to Chumpy]

Amazing to have horses 😍! Wish you best with your appointment.

[Chumpy in reply to Mezgit]

Thankyou😊

[Fishie1]

Lots of layers. Remember to keep neck and wrists warm too. Mittens are better if using hand warmers and I used feet warmers also when I visited Krakow one February. Good luck!

[Mezgit in reply to Fishie1]

I've never looked into feet warmers and my feet get really numb from Raynaud's. I will check them out. 🤍

[mesally]

I use rechargeable pocket warmers,

[Mezgit in reply to mesally]

I saw some on Amazon today. Will order them soon. 🫶

[Gadoop]

Hi Mezgit, I am not on Nifedipine but my raynauds does get quite bad. My rheumatologist suggested double gloving when outside and this has really helped me. I wear thin fingerless gloves underneath and then woolly mittens on top of them. I also always have my rechargable handwarmers in my pockets. And as someone else said make sure to keep your core warm so just wear layers of jumpers and coats outside also (and thermals!). For this winter I also got myself a pair of proper fur lined winter boots and thick winter socks and it has been a game changer. I must look a bit crazy when I go to the school gate to collect my kids with all that I wear🤪 but I feel wonderfully warm 😊

[Mezgit in reply to Gadoop]

I always wear layers now and double gloves but fingerless and mitten combination sounds really practical 🫶

[cls_98]

HiI'm on 30mg morning and afternoon, so 60mg a day, as well as 20mg tadalafil in the morning. I still get attacks, but they aren't as bad.

Cx

[Mezgit in reply to cls_98]

Thank you. Looks like I need to ask them to increase the dosage myself. 🤍

[LadyTrundle]

lots of really good practical advice here. I agree with all these tricks and tips! I have a vast array of gloves, mitts, heated gloves and mitts, hand warmers, muff, thinner gloves etc. what I use varies with what I’m doing (extra large rubber gloves over heated gloves are bulky but help with some wet/ outdoor tasks!), the time of year and fluctuations in outdoor temperature.

However, what I want to add is that after 30+ years on nifedipine and never being very convinced it helped much but too intimidated to stop altogether, the team at Royal Free suggested adding in Losartan potassium which has really helped. So I now take 1 losartan 25mg year round, then another early summer/ autumn depending on weather, then add in 1 nifedipine as it gets colder and one more nifedipine if it gets really cold it’s up to me to take the doses up and down depending on conditions. But in gen the RF people advice taking a higher than you imagine dose to keep the blood vesssels nicely open.

[Mezgit in reply to LadyTrundle]

Thank you. I will definitely look into Losartan. Do you get any side effects with that? 🤍

[LadyTrundle in reply to Mezgit]

No - inline nifedipine it doesn’t seem to give me any headaches or low blood pressure, even when starting first time or layering up. Joy!

[LadyTrundle in reply to LadyTrundle]

In fact, on reflection, the adding in of nifedipine on top. As much smoother than when I just went from nothing to nifedipine each year

[Mezgit in reply to LadyTrundle]

Lucky! My blood pressure is already low 😔

[Midgebite21]

I think you may need a higher dose. I’m on 20mg.

Agree with all other advice. Layers, layers ,layers and avoiding triggers AMAP.

Merino wool hiking socks and shearling lined boots are my go to for my feet in the Scottish 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 winter. My slippers are shearling lined as well. So far I’ve avoided chilblains this winter even with the very low temperatures we’ve had recently.

[Mezgit in reply to Midgebite21]

I will ask for a higher dose. Only downside with that is I have low blood pressure already and due to some feet problems I can't wear my nice warm boots...

[Ciaran34]

Wear socks to bed to sleep for sure. It will help keep your hands warm. If needed wear gloves or comfortable mittens too. During the day always a hat, lots of layers and always gloves or mittens.

[Mezgit in reply to Ciaran34]

Thank you 🫶

[redmaggie]

Hi, I take 20mg Nifedipine slow release formulation when the weather is cold and this winter I have avoided chilblain blisters. Slow release taken Once a day works better for me than the standard quick release formula, no flushing, headaches or other side effects. I still get cold hands and feet but not as extreme. It took me a little while to find the best clothing to keep warm - merino wool base layers (long sleeved vest) and leggings under jeans, wool ski socks and ski gloves. The base layers are thin but effective. these items have been game changers. Oh, and thick fingerless gloves! good luck!

[Mezgit in reply to redmaggie]

Great information, thank you 🤍

[janetfitz]

I take 20mg nifedipine twice a day. I wear thick socks, thermal underwear, heated gilet, scarves and silver gloves for Raynauds. You need to keep your core warm. Hope this helps.

[Mezgit in reply to janetfitz]

Thank you 🤍