Does any1 have a child on nifedipine? my son is only 3 & im very reluctant cos of side effects. He was diagnosed at 11 months!!

[laura999]

[nic-hutch]

Hi there, my daughter was prescibed nifedipine when she was 5. I first had her at the doctors when she was under a year old, but it took us this long to get a diagnosis (in the end it was a nurse that picked up on her having raynauds when she was in for something completely different!) She takes a 5mg capsule in the spring and autum and 10mg in the winter and nothing in the summer and has had no side effects (she takes it at bed time) I also made sure that her school were aware of her condition and they have been fantastic letting her stay in if she is struggling outside. I remember having the same concerns as you when i first read the leaflet in the box and looking at all the side effects, but i am so glad now that she takes it just seeing the difference it makes to her! ....hope this helps

[laura999]

Thanks thats a great help. I'll go ahead with the nifedipine through the winter and c how we go. I suppose if you dont try you dont know and if it stops the pain then it will be worth it. Ive already told the playgroup and they keep him in when its too cold. My dr was useless at diagnosing and so were the hosp. its only because i work at a hosp that i mentioned it to a consultant paed that he said it sounds like raynauds and he needs to be checked for auto immune disease immediately as its so rare in children that young.

[kirsty21]

my daughter was born with raynauds, when she was very very cold i obviously asked questions got fobbed off with its probably her ciculation taking time to come threw ect ect as time whent on it got worse her feet was swelling lips turning blue hand also no doctor would give me a answer on what it was one doctor even told me when she was crawling it was the friction off the carpit , eventualy after changing doctors one finaly said it was raynauds all he did was send her for a heart eco and said no medacation until she was 12 ??? ive never herd off a child being given medication he said its best to stay away from it , but she suffers so bad with it some times i whish she did have something available to take the pain away if u feel comfortable then id say go for it , how did u get medication from ur doctor ???

[Anteater in reply to kirsty21]

Hi KirstyI dont know where you are but ask your GP to refer you to a Rheumatologist and dont take NO for an answer - your daughter needs expert help xxx Good luck xx

[laura999]

Hi Kirsty, i took my son to the hosp i work at and they referred him to Rheumatology who in turn referred me to the cardio vascular consultant. Dont be fobbed off, demand your gp refer you because Raynauds can be a secondary to auto immune disease and without screening you will never know. Ive just spoke to my paed consultant at work and he said nifedipine is fine in children. Your GP clearly doesnt know much about Raynauds in children as they can have nifedipine from a young age. its a small dose anyway.