Reynauds...advice please.

[lottiejenkins]

I was told my my Gp that i had reynauds a couple of years ago. I had gone because i find i get really bad cramps in my feet when i have walked for a long time and it is almost impossible to lift my foot/feet off the floor. Just recently it has got a lot worse, particularly in my right hand.. sometimes it is just the little finger, today however it is my entire right hand which is icy cold.........my friend popped round and i put my left hand on her face and then my right and she jumped at the feel of my right hand...........can anyone else tell me how they cope with it? My right hand doesnt feel like it working right today...........

Oh dear, poor you! I get Reynaud's but nowhere near as bad as you. i get it sporadically in the fingers of both hands, but not particularly in feet. i think you need to go back to your GP: I know there is medication if it's severe.

Nifepidene is the medication.

Poor you, must be especially bad in this weather. I once knew someone who had it who would wear fingerless gloves indoors. Don't know if its a good idea or not but might be worth trying.

Im waiting for my lovely GP to ring me back!

Well that wasnt what i was expecting.....my friend came over to see me and while she was here the GP rang me back, i explained about my hand being cold and my arm feeling unco ordinated. He said i had better see him, i said "well you are on your day off tomorrow shall i make an appointment for Thursday........?" "err no i mean come down now"
Ahhhhhhhh.... anyway my lovely friend drove me down there and i saw another gp who has given me that medication that you mentioned pageturner.... apparently i cant drink grapefruitjuice with it........good job i dont like it!!! I also have to have an xray on my neck as in rare cases reyanuds can mean you have an extra rib in your neck!!! anyway i have to start the meds tomorrow and if i get a headache and a warm feeling in my arm then the meds are working.............

Raynauds can be associated with a cervical rib but most commonly occurs on its own. The main apporach is avoid contact with cold e.g. get soeone else to get things out of hte freezer; avoid cold water ; wear gloves etc.
Do you only have this in one hand ? Do you have any joint problems/ other medical problems?

I think i have arthritis in my left hand(the one that doesnt have the reynauds) I cant wear my wedding and engagement rings as my finger os swollen

Raynauds can be associated with autoimune disease and various arthritis-related problems. It is more common to get it in both sides.
I would be looking at your blood supply to that arm in general, personally just because it sounds so bad on one side with the other side unaffected. Would start with an X-ray and consider an ultrasound of the arteries of that side. Easy non-invasive tests to have.

Thanks for your advice WP.......can i ask are you a GP?

No a hospital doctor, but see a lot of vascular problems in my specialty.