Raynauds syndrome

My DH suffers with this too and it's particularly difficult when he has to work in the garage in winter - even with the heater going (we work from home). I bought him some finger-less cashmere gloves and they really seem to help as the suggestion is that if you keep the wrists warm it makes a difference to circulation. I got them from Turtle Doves as they use re-cycled cashmere

Like MOnica I'm comforted by the fact that so many have this condition. I get it mildly and it's come on in the last 15 years or so but not too bad. Random things set it off - certainly the steering wheel if it's cold, holding the trolley in the cold aisle of the supermarket but then air-con can set it off. It's only two fingers on each hand. Now DH seems to be getting it as he's on about 7 pills following his mild heart attack last year

I am not sure mine has been 'officially' diagnosed, entirely because I haven't taken the problem to a doctor. If you know what the problem is and there is no remedy anyway, why bother?

I had carpal tunnel syndrome off and on for 30 years before I saw the doctor after I started to need to take painkillers during the day. As the doctor took hold of my arm to probe and examine it, her eye was caught by the three yellowy white fingers of my other hand. She said ' Oh, you have Raynauds as well!'. I said 'yes' and that was the end of it.

I have never been officially diagnosed with Reynaud’s Syndrome but I know I have it. My feet and hands are almost always cold and white even in high summer. When my DH or DD hold my hands they are shocked and concerned. I have a bath every, single day as this is the only time my feet get warm. I also use hot water bottles to warm my feet, the last one only a couple of days ago as it is a very cold June.

I try not to make a fuss about it though it is hard when my family, who are all overweight and run hot, turn all the heating off and open the windows when I am freezing!

As well as my electric blanket for the bed, I have a shoulder one for downstairs. It was recommended to me by my Osteopath. It is the best £35 I have ever spent.

This thread has been both consoling, humbling and informative.

Consoling, because it it helps to know that it is a problem of many, rather than a few of us. There is strength in numbers! Also now know that I am not the only person who wears tights all year round, under leggings and trousers, as well as skirts. Most discussions on leg wear on GN are mainly inhabited by those who wouldn't wear tights if you paid them.

Humbling, because I have realised just how mild my Raynauds is compared with other people. No more muttering and complaints from me, just counting my blessings.

Informative, because of all the suggestions that people have made about what to wear and where to get it.

We bought an electric blanket this year, with each side controlled separately, wonderful for dealing with cold feet. I seem to get colder as the day progresses and, even last night, I turned on the blanket my side for about 10 minutes, because my feet were so cold.

My youngest daughter has this. She found a great site that sells gloves made from recycled cashmere clothing and it has helped her enormously. I'm not sure if I can name the site on here but happy to PM anyone with it.

I bought these silver gloves from the Raynauds site. I wear them at home all the time.

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Like everyone else - have gloves with you! I use leather gloves for gripping the car steering wheel. I use cotton gloves indoors. I often wear fur boots indoor in the Winter.

My daughter suffers from raynauds syndrome . In the winter she has to have high quality thermal socks and gloves . Her feet are like ice an even have to wear socks in bed . As long has she keeps warm she is not in pain . She also found living in a warmer climate abroad she had no symptoms .

I too get Raynauds Syndrome. I was put on a drug called nifedopine in the UK and this was really good. However my Dr here in New Zealand won’t put me on it. I do wear gloves in really cold weather and they do help. Also rubbing hands together helps me restore the circulation.

I have had reynauds syndrome for over 50 years now. I have learned to live with it. I have just ordered the fingerless gloves from Turtle Doves.
Hoping this will make a difference to my hands. Trouble is my feet get cold even in summer and I do Scottish country dancing so I don't know what to wear on them.socks are not a great look for dancing!

Raynaud's is horrible! Was working for an orthopaedic surgeon in Perth {WA} and whilst having lunch, he said "you have Raynauds". Had no idea what is was then - 30 years ago. Lips blue, fingers blue, feet frozen. And it is very debilitating. Cannot fall asleep without a hot water bottle - freezing feet even up until early June. Now coming back to UK [perhaps not a good idea]! and will join Raynaud's Society who give out helpful pamphlets.

Good to hear it isn’t really serious and manageable.
Boo

It is actually very serious I have suffered for years and it is totally debilitating particularly in the winter. I cannot undo buttons and Zips to go to the toilet, I cannot do my pin, nor open my purse, regardless of using hand warmers and gloves all year round. Raynaud’s can occur as a “primary” disease; that is, with no associated disorder. It can also occur as a “secondary” condition related to other diseases, such as scleroderma, lupus, and rheumatoid arthritis.

There's a company called Turtle Doves who make fingerless gloves, leg warmers and so on out of re-cycled cashmere. I read somewhere that if your wrists and ankles are warm it helps your hands and feet (have I got that the right way round?)

I have Raynauds too. Always wear socks to bed unless it’s exceptionally hot! Mine go red purple then blue hands that is. I did have some medicine from dr but can’t take it as it was a blood pressure tablets and I have low blood pressure, so was really ill. I dread the chiller aisles too.

Thanks for the advice re white fingers. Ive recently noticed my DH’s fingers on both hands go snowy white & feel very cold even in summer. He’s 62 today! Ive made him an appt at drs to check it out but looks like its Raynaud’s then? Good to hear it isn’t really serious and manageable.

Another one here. I've read recently that fingerless gloves can be very helpful, though my toes are more of a problem than my fingers.

At our local children's museum they've a screen that, when you stand in front of it, shows how hot and cold the various areas of your body are. My lot like to stand me in front of it and stare in grim fascination at all the areas of bright blue. My nose looks particularly gruesome.

Thank you - all of you! I don't feel so scared or alone now, and I'll certainly keep some (silk) gloves in my bag at all times now. I certainly didn't expect my fingers/nails to go blue this morning. It's the 21st of June!

Me too, although it’s only several fingers that go white, not the whole hand and not toes.

I have had off and on for about 50 years. Not remotely scared by it. I just make sure that I always have a pair of woolly gloves in my handbag.

My hands just go purple as do my feet but mine's a circulatory problem and I've learned to live with it. Gloves on at the shop freezers and even when strolling round cool/cold shops and thick tights in the winter or even cooler " summer days ".

I'm not a happy bunny in the cold weather as my legs don't function properly.

My dad had Raynaud's and I remember his white fingers, they were like icicles.

Thanks for the tip about silk glove liners grannysue05. I'll look for some!

I have had Raynauds syndrome for many years. My hands go blue and then turn white because the blood has stopped getting to my fingers (happens to my toes too). Unfortunately it does, like lots of things, get worse the older you get. I can have white hands in summer too!