Raynaud's Disease Support Group

Hey! I've had Raynauds for over 10 years now. I have been on Procardia, Felodipine, and Nifedipine (all high blood pressure meds) throughout the years...all specifically prescribed to help with Raynaud's (my blood pressure is fine). My hands and feet have gotten significantly worse over the past year and my doc (My Rheumatologist, that is, as my GP doesn't directly treat my Raynaud's) has tried all of these and in different dosages to try and keep my hands from going numb quite so often. The only problems I have had has been when we try to up the dosage to help further decrease the bothersome blue/numb hands...I feel sick, tired, and have stomach upset when the dosage is upped, but then feel okay again once I go back to the original dosage. I wish I could tolerate a higher dosage so that I could do more things outside in the winter (I live in Colorado!). I've been on a new dosage of Nifedipine for about a week now...Wish me luck! As far as my blood pressure is concerned, the meds haven't caused it to be too low, so no worries there. Hope this helps!

I think u need a new Dr if he /she has no clue what Raynauds is,Metoprolol . It is very dangerous drug it can actually cause blockages in your arteries. Beta blockers are not to be taken by people with Raynauds. I currently take herbals and vitimins for my raynauds , blood pressure, cholesterol,glucose intolerance, issue as my Dr calls it. The Dr wanted to know what I did that was so amazing. I said I stayed away from your med.'s I take garlic,ginko, cayenne coQ 10,B complex, at night before bed I take a vitimin D with calcium combo,with the highest D I can get and a 250 magnesium,and when weather permits I take a short walk.

Angeliamarie - I will probably go the way you did. I need to exercise to relieve stress, just can't find the time. But if this med causes such horrible side affects as I'm having, I'll find the time. I too avoid medication and an healthy generally. Losing weight will get my bp down. I'll start with the suppliments. I do a little of what you mention and will look into more. I have fantastic test results for everything, am generally healthy so the high bp surprised me. I'm under a lot of stress which doesn't help. Exercise would help that also.

Thanks for your comments. Thanks Tired Mom - your comments let me know that years of NOT listening to my doctor has helped me and when I do, I get worse, like now. I've changed doctors 4 times in last 10 years and find them all the same, as least in my area.

Thanks again for all your comments. Very helpful!

Beta Blockers should be avoided. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/r... I take norvasc which is a calcium channel blocker that can be used for highblood pressure as well as Raynauds. Im with Angeliamarie - get a new doctor.

Kristen310 thank u for the useful information. My doctor recently suggested putting me on medication for my raynauds; a beta blocker but didn't say which one as of yet. I did go to the mayo clinic website and saved the info so I can present him with it. My blood pressure has never been high but rather more on the low side so was a bit nervous about taking a beta blocker.

Hi Ive got secondary Raynods was recently put on Norvasc which seems to help all my symptoms of Raynaud's, Ive been on Toprol for many yrs for other problems, 2 yrs ago I developed a hole in my nose, and it has not gotten any worse since the Norvasc, Im still very cold and my feet still turn blue, but it is better, I didnt know that Toprol was so dangerous. My blood pressure is low but all of my Drs. are pleased with the effects of the Norvasc. Sharon

yes Linda they go together. I have had Raynaud's for 20 yrs now and have to take Norvac for blood pressure and xannix for the hypertension. these 2 medications together keep the blood flowing and yes even tho my hands stay cold and dark and feet. it has to be. the medication is helping me and has for 5 yrs. I have purple hands all the time now since the breaking of my platets are down. so go with the medication your dr says. if I can help you let me know. hugs gail

Hello i too have Raynauds and Hypertension the Doc has started me on verapamil for both it seems to be working slowly.This might help some :) http://www.medicinenet.com/raynaud...

I have primary raynauds. I am finaly on enforge5-160 and finally my bp is under control.They had me on metorolol until i was diagnosed. Then they put me on something that my bp was high....divan i think. Anyway the enforge keeps my blood pressure down but does not help the raynauds

Hi Im new to the group and was diagnosed to have Raynauds when I was at a Fibro specialist. I was reading this post and I have BP problems and take this medicine for it and long q t syndrome. My Dr. now doesnt know about my raynauds though. Maybe I should say something?