To ask if anyone has found anything that works for Reynauds?

[startingfromtomorrow]

I have horrible Reynauds in my fingers and toes every winter and with the weather getting colder it's going to be back soon.
I have hand warmers and gloves and thick socks etc but hoping someone has come up with a miracle?
So if any fellow Reynauds sufferers have found a way to ease the symptoms I'd gladly hear them.

Both my friend and I take a piriton tablet every night before bed- has massively reduced reaction for both of us.

No, not other than the things you have mentioned, but I can sympathise! I get it really badly sometimes to the point where I can't use my fingers because they are so numb. Someone once suggested Cypress essential oil and I tried it, but it didn't help massively, just stank! It's very annoying. No one else in my family has it.

Putting on weight helped me.

Friend found cold water swimming transformational, I know, counter-intuitive

Silk gloves and socks

Mumsnet itself helped me with this very issue.
I have severe Raynauds and the prescribed drug 'nifedipine' is brilliant for me.
I have no side effects apart from the odd cold flash and even then they are not as bad as my 'natural' temperature.
It makes my life so much better!!

I heard something on the radio a few weeks ago about blood pressure medications that can be prescribed that help. They work by opening up all the little blood vessels.

One thing I've noticed on cold Winter walks is that if I'm bundled up to be toasty in my body this means that my body doesn't feel the need to shut down the bloodflow to the extremities quite so much and so my hands don't get as chill. They're still somewhat chilly mind you.

'Raynauds association' have a page on facebook.
They were somewhat useful but, as I said Mumsnet recommended it and my GP gave me the medication after a few short questions.

Nifedipine is one of these drugs.

I will ask my GP about nifedipine then.
I last went to my GP about it about 30 years ago and was told there's no medication but maybe times have changed.

My teenage ds has this but only when we have been on the beach all day. Does it get worse with age?

Ditto silk gloves or those thin under-mit ski gloves, even when not really cold outside. Thick lambskin gloves on top in winter.

USB pocket hand warmers also good if sitting outside, thankfully I don't get it much in my toes but you can get chemical warmers you stick to your socks in Decathlon which are nice.

If my fingers get cold then there's no heating them up until back in the house unfortunately.

Ditto on the nifedipine - it's a blood pressure medication but it relieves symptoms for Raynaud's. I've had it for three years now, just take it on an ad hoc basis if I'm cycling to work or going for an early run in the winter as that's the main time I find it problematic. I don't even need to wear gloves then it's magic! https://www.sruk.co.uk/raynauds/raynauds-treatments/nifedipine/

I was advised to cut out caffeine as it’s a vasoconstrictor, which I guess tallies with the suggestions about blood pressure medication.

Dc has nifedipine and antihistamines. Takes both at night September to April. Has been transformational. Is under rheumatology and they said this was the best combination for most.

Following with interest — since developing raynauds a few years ago I’ve become horribly phobic about cold weather

Like a PP I find if my core stays warm, my fingers will too. Will check out piriton and nifedipine!

I’m dreading the turn of the weather! I’ve never tried any medication for mine but I’ve got my gloves, socks and ear warmers at the ready (my ears get the worst of it, I spend the winter feeling like I’m wearing earmuffs made of lava!)

And me

I always wear hats when its slightly colder. I find if i keep my head & my core warm, then the reynauds isn't too bad. Gloves & socks don't work without the hat too.

Sheepskin boots (and slippers) and fingerless gloves/wrist warmers. Work getting me my own heater was life changing though.

I was offered drugs but they said the side effects might be bad. I just got checks for necrosis instead (I don't have any thank god, but I'm really careful).

Mine did, I had it since I was child but it went away after pregnancy for a couple of years but then came back after my second pregnancy.

I've just been reading up on nifedipine and its side effects include bloating and weight gain. Has anyone who's taken it experienced this?

I'm on this. It generally works but I'm finding my hands are too warm and my feet are too cold!

Not had issues with side effects. I did feel dizzy at first but it's worn off.

I found Ginko helpful as its good for circulation