reynaulds treatment

Hi Diane,

 

I have Raynauds.  The only thing for it is prednisone. Blech!  Yeah, not much in the way of treatment other than that.  The pred will help any constricted blood vessels open up and allow for better circulation.  Do you have vasculitis by chance?  That is often one of the reasons people get Raynauds.  Vasculitis is inflammation of the blood vessels.

 

Hope this helps,

Ginny

Well I have have been dx with ra, but have probable had over almost two years...He told me that raynauds is primary because I didnot have any positive lupus or sjogrens(Pos ana).  Gave me a prescription for low dose calcium channel blocker( norvasc 2.5 mgs)..I dont know why but very hesitant to start it.....I get attacks two or more times a week...diane

I have raynaud's too. I get attacks frequently, depending on the weather outside. Obviously, it's worse in the cold months rather than this time of year, although I do have to be very careful in air conditioning as well. For me, raynaud's is little more than a nuisance--it does not cause ulcers or sores or anything like that, so doesn't really need to be treated. I was offered calcum channel blockers at one time, but turned them down. Turns out the side effects from some of those can be much worse than the raynaud's itself. In my case, only, of course. As someone previously mentioned, if it is severe it has to be treated.

ONe thing I've read is that raynaud's is associated with normal tension glaucoma because of vasospasms somewhere around the optic nerve (nocturnal hypotension). I do have raynaud's, I have a glaucomatous optic nerve (my right one), and I do get extremely cold, especially at night and in the mornings. I'm being followed by an opthamologist for the eye problems, but I'm just a glaucoma suspect at this point--I do not have a glaucoma dx--this is another disease where the treatment can be worse than the disease itself (unless of course, you go blind).

Just wanted to point out that raynaud's is associated with a lot of other problems as well--I think someone also mentioned vasculitis, which is a pretty serious problem.

As far as tx for raynaud's, calcium channel blockers are the mainstay for this disorder, but are only used in the most severe of cases. My doctor told me to simply avoid cold temperatures; try to keep myself as warm as possible. I've been looking at some electric socks and gloves.

Elcamino