To ask if anyone has raynauds and what helps them?

[Pibplob]

Husband is really suffering with raynauds in one foot. Struggling to walk etc. Wondered if there’s anything I can do / buy that may help soothe it a bit. He’s really having trouble sleeping with the pain too.

I was diagnosed recently by a rheumatologist. Did a full blood work to establish primary raynauds, and prescribed nifedipine which has helped greatly, the attacks have been much less frequent. I wear thermal socks and fleece liners in my shoes, but it's worse in my fingers. I wear glove liners with thick mittens outside and have hand warmers for attacks.

It sounds more like a circulation issue in that leg than Raynauds to me . I’ve had raynauds for over 30 years quite severely ( got frostbite , lost nails etc) and on a day to day basis it’s never been that painful - except for when I had the frostbite . Circulation problems can be extrsmelly painful , I’m an ex nurse and have had people describe it as like a rat gnawing at their leg .

Raynauds can effect one hand/foot more than the other, and it’s not consistent (so i can go through a phase where my right hand is worse, or my feet are worse). However, the near constant pain doesn’t sound right for raynauds. It does cause me pain but not to the extent you have described.

Has he been prescribed anything for the raynauds? I’m on 5mg Nifedipine (adelat) and it does make a difference.

In terms of other care tips, I find smart wool hiking socks are better than regular socks for keeping feet at a nice temperature. Also, as mentioned by another poster, the single use hand and toe warmers. CostCo sell both in bulk at a reasonable price. If I’m in the house, I will wrap my feet in a blanket or jumper, even pushing them under a cushion makes a difference. Resting my feet (wearing socks) on a hot water bottle helps too.

I would still get the pain checked out though

I agree that it doesn't sound like Raynaud's because of the duration

I never, ever, take anything out of the fridge without wearing gloves. Even in Summer, I take gloves in my bag in case I need to buy something chilled or from the freezer in a shop.

I don't hold cold drinks unless they're in an insulated container.

He needs to see a rheumatologist if he hasn’t done so. Primary Raynaud’s tends to emerge in adolescence so if it’s a new thing it’s likely secondary. Blue phase indicates Raynaud’s.

Has anyone checked the pulses in his foot?

Along with many other posters I also have Raynaud's and it can be a proper PITA.

I have a prescription for Nifedipine but find that I don't always need it, I get flare ups which seem to be random and not weather related although crisp cold weather always sets it off and it is especially painful then - like having toothache in my fingers if that makes any sense?

When I get it in my feet it sometimes leaves a numb area on my sole which, while not usually especially sore feels really horrible - like having a sock bunched up under my foot that I just cannot straighten?

I echo others in thinking that your husband needs to have this looked into further because the pain should ease when the affected area gets warm again - not a pleasant experience in itself as it can be really painful getting back up to normal temperature but he shouldn't be suffering constantly like you describe :-(.

As an aside it’s interesting to hear that some people find the nifedipine useful as I found it made absolutely no diffference to me .

I have a similar condition and invested in a good electric blanket.

I have tried amlodipine but dropped my blood pressure as mine was normal to begin with. Other than that gloves all the time when out in cold weather and had some success with ginkgo biloba too.

Never spoken to my rheumatologist about it. I will mention it when I see him next.

He absolutely needs to do More to stop Smoking.

The Smoking is a significant factor here.
He needs to stop

Is his other condition diabetes? He needs to see a dr ASAP