Hi all, I have been on Nifedipine 30mg one a day for a few years now without a problem but recently after approx 3 hours of taking

[newton]

it I start to feel jittery. I know its not sugar levels and wonder if it is a blood pressure drop from the tablets. Anyone else have this and why after years without a problem?

[poole_odyssey]

Hello I had a similar problem approx two years ago. I was taking 30mg twice a day and had the same problems been taking this dosage for over 10 years. I went to the Drs who confirm that when I stood up quickly my blood pressure dropped. They reduced my medication to the bare miniumum I could tolerate it was February time 5mg. To cut a long story short I ended up blacking out at the bus stop on the way to work one morning 6.30am. Off I went to hospital who could find nothing other than low blood pressure. I have low blood pressure as standard. It happened again 6 weeks later by this time I was not taking any nifedipine.

The A&E consultant just happened to ask if I was getting headaches starting before the blackout and and I said Yes, he said oh i wonder if its migraines. After a lot of investigations Its turns out mine was migraines - now back on track 30mg twice daily and migraine meducation too and have been upright ever since and no ill side effects of feeling dizzy, jittery or blacking out.

Speak to your Rheumy as soon as you can.

Take care and hope you get it sorted

[newton in reply to poole_odyssey]

Thanks Odyssey,

I know my blood pressure is low, take it now and again when at home but I haven't been able to check to see if my blood pressure drops even more when the jitters start. When it happens I feel like a fumbling idiot and wonder if anyone notices.

I don't get headaches. I saw my Rheumy back in Oct when I was having SIBO and losing a lot of weight, she said she would see me in the new year and still waiting for an appointment. Another thing to ask her about.

[babyblue in reply to poole_odyssey]

Hi

I am new to this site although i have been reading the comments for a few months. I have Raynauds (20yrs) Never taken medication except for when i was first diagnosed (no use). I have high blood pressure(genetic) and at present I am on Adalat 30mg daily.Ove the past 2 winters I have stuggled with my Raynauds and felt poorly. I have discussed this with my G,P who dismisses any herbal remedies (Ginko etc) but suggested Nifedipine for Raynauds and high blood pressure. I am a bit wary because it has taken a while to stabilise my blood pressure. After reading your comments i wonder if i should try it.

[newton in reply to babyblue]

Hi Babyblue, I would say try it, it could be fine for you. When I first went on to it I was given the quick release version to be taken 3 times a day. That certainly affected me in the mornings, within 30 mins I could feel my blood pressure drop and felt out of sorts for a short while. The Nifedipine I am on now is 1 a day and slow release. It is only recently that i have felt out of sorts and not every day. Stress at work? I would say that for the first few days when I started it I did get some headaches but that soon went.

[beks169]

I'm experiencing this at the moment i'm sat here thinking i need something sugary i only take 5mg x3 times a day. I use to take 25mg few years back i came off it 6 months before i wanted to concieve and went back on it about year ago and my gp, (who is different than the one i had few years back) suggested we start miniumal as i use to suffer with the palpatations alot Maybe this is a side effect then ?

[newton in reply to beks169]

Thanks beks, I suffer with palpatations, no rhyme or reason as to when they occur.

Sometimes my heart rate doesn't go back to normal rhythm but throws itself into a very fast regular heart beat. Can last milnutes has been know to last up to 90 mins.

I just get use to it. Use to get them before I started on my medication unfortunately never happened when wired up to a 24 hour monitor. I would like to know what causes them but can't I think I will have to wait until I get another long episode.

[Vienne]

I had this problem,too. Have been on 30mg Nifedipine for years with no problems..then suddenly jitters and palpitations within an hour of taking dose....GP no idea why...then my husband mentioned I'd started having a strong filter coffee with my breakfast. Changed that to decaff....no problems since.

I have had Raynauds for about 45 years with not too much trouble at all...until this winter...chiblains, cyanosis in a toe etc. Has any on else been worse this winter than before...or is it my age catching up on me? (67, relatively fit..swim, gym,cycle, allotment,walking holidays etc) I don't want Raynauds to restrict the things I enjoy......

[babyblue]

Hi

I am new to this site although i have been reading the comments for a few months. I have Raynauds (20yrs) Never taken medication except for when i was first diagnosed (no use). I have high blood pressure(genetic) and at present I am on Adalat 30mg daily.Ove the past 2 winters I have stuggled with my Raynauds and felt poorly. I have discussed this with my G,P who dismisses any herbal remedies (Ginko etc) but suggested Nifedipine for Raynauds and high blood presuure. I am a bit wary because it has taken a while to stabilise my blood pressure. After reading your comments i wonder if i should try it. I too cycle swim and walk it is the only time i feel warm lately.

[nadine_49]

Hi i have raynaud's for alot of years a few years ago my gp put me on Fluoxetine for depression, the fluoxetine helped with my depression, then i read about fluoxetine opens the blood vessels which i say has helped, 10 years on it , i tried nifedipine some years ago but too many side affects had to come off it have word with your gp it doesnt work for every one but give it a go hope this helps ....