Raynauds sufferers

[annabannan]

I suffer from Raynauds, badly in autumn and even worse in winter. With the cold weather coming soon any other sufferers got any tips. I already have hand warmers, wrist warmers and going to invest in Wool and cashmere socks. Any other tips?

Wish it was that easy, I can be warm even hot but my hands and feet will be hit by it no matter hat 😳

Thanks will try hawthorn tea 🤞

I know you’ve said you’re going to invest in cashmere socks, but cashmere wrist warmers were a game changer for me, especially for working at a computer. I didn’t expect them to make much of a difference compared to cheaper versions, but they’re the only thing that’s ever had a noticeable effect!

Whilst I want to stay hunkered under a blanket, moving around helps my circulation. So I try to walk around every hour or so, going up and down the stairs if I'm very cold.

I'm someone who nifedipine DID work for (although amlodipine didnt). It does lower my BP however.

My 'tip', which I stand by, is to change my socks early afternoon sort of time. I'm not at ALL a sweaty person , but all feet do sweat and that moisture makes my feet cold! So dry socks, in the afternoon. And anytime my feet get at all damp.

Hot drinks help. Lots of layers.

I second keeping your core warm, I also use medical mohair socks to sleep in, a wonderful podiatrist recommended them. My bigger issue is chilblains, so much itching and pain. I walk the dog in all weathers and last year invested in some very expensive walking boots which are thermally insulated and waterproof, best boots I have ever bought, they actually keep my feet warm and dry.

What I hate most is the constant thinking about what to do to keep my feet warm. Roll on summer!

We read that taking a daily Cetirizine tablet had helped in some cases and as my ds suffered terribly from Raynaud’s, especially his fingers, and his job meant he was working outdoors in all weathers he gave it a go and has had brilliant results.
His fingers get cold but a ‘normal’ cold not the debilitating cold and pain of Raynaud’s.

@MoltenLasagne
@doodleygirl
Any chance of a link or fall name
of your footwear?
I normally wear Ugg’s which normally help.
also find doing exercise keeps the blood flowing better even when sitting.

Does anyone else get pins and needles in their toes/feet with Reynaulds? I get it every winter but not in the summer so think it must be connected.

Saying 'don't get cold in the first place' is very unhelpful 'advice.' Sometimes you can't help getting cold. If you're outside and it turns colder when you're out, or if you go into a cold shop (Iceland and Aldi are quite cold!) or if you come indoors after a few hours out - and the house is cold - you do get cold, and it can take a while to warm up. If only people could just 'not get cold!'

I am starting to suffer from cold hands/cold fingers just this past 2 winters, (I am 60-ish) and it feels like I have plasters on them, as I can't feel them, and I have to rub them together like rubbing sticks together to start a fire, or have a hot shower. OR a hot drink. That tends to help. Not looking forward to this winter! I shall be keeping an eye on this thread! For advice and tips.

@TheSixthBestOption I do get pins and needles a bit when the feeling is coming back into my fingers! My toes don't seem to be affected oddly, even though I often just wear sandals or flip flops. Even in winter. Not when I go out, but around the house/in the garden.

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Yes! Fingers too but toes by far the worst it’s awful.

Nifedipine 3x daily since I was a teenager, now in mid 50s. It’s still painful but less so than without the meds. I get less chilblains now than when younger. I always wear gloves & socks, use oven gloves to put things in/out freezer. It’s a really painful condition.

Yes, especially my feet. In fact my feet always seem to have constant low grade pins and needles even when it's not cold.

Same! I get the pins and needles even without my toes going white. I've been checked by a neurologist and they have no concerns but it had been worrying me, especially as I get it more in my right foot than my left. But when it came back in September I realised I hadn't had it since May so does seem that I only get it when yhe weather turns colder. Glad I'm not the only one! It less intense than when your white hands/feet go back to normal, very mild pins and needles and if unexplained health things didn't worry me then it wouldn't bother me, but it does!

I was going to ask about the tingling/pins and needles sensations. Started noticing Raynauds a few years ago but only occasionally. I didn't really get pins and needles until these past few weeks. I've been worrying about MS and all sorts. I hate the feeling, really makes me panic. Would it be your whole foot if it's Raynauds? And would it last an hour?

I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's recently and the doc said he wouldn't be surprised if my Raynauds went away with levothyroxine, but I don't know how likely that is. I know secondary Raynauds is associated with other autoimmune diseases, but I don't see hypothyroidism often mentioned. Am just about to start the meds so fingers crossed.

No advice OP sorry but I was going to make a similar thread so I'm very interested in any tips you get. I feel like it's going to be a bad winter for me this year unless I make sure I stay warm.

Mine was pretty much cured by having to take steroids for the rest of my life. I do have a heated desk mat by Heatka which I really wish I had known about when I suffered so badly. It was about £60 but really worth it.

@mynumber these are the boots https://www.hanwag.com/uk/en-gb/women/trekking/tatra-ii-lady-gtx/

socks
www.thewoolcompany.co.uk/products/medical-socks?currency=GBP&variant=39779434102902&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Google%20Shopping&stkn=df37cb282060&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22609829166&gbraid=0AAAAAD89DSbiYvfgXi8p7TKGyDX4YPrmZ&gclid=CjwKCAjwuePGBhBZEiwAIGCVS3NXINA_GYsojy6E4k-4LyE9T-ck6uOyyOj7dnkAVEWsPawiPKffIBoCK5sQAvD_BwE

Mine has been better in recent years. I advise keeping your core as warm as possible so the blood isn’t diverted from your organs.
Also trying to avoid going from warm to cold. Quickly .
I was on nifedipine as well for a bit but that was years ago.

Rechargeable hand warmers like these:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0CCTPX3XY/?coliid=I1GBQLVUMZJ0BJ&colid=3IH54Q6IP79ZD&psc=1&ref_=list_c_wl_ys_dp_ii

They've been a game changer for me - I put them in my mittens when I leave the house and they stop my hands getting cold in the first place.

Also: mittens rather than gloves, gloves with the very end of the fingers snipped off for working from home, socks in bed, heated blanket.