topic Re: Reynaud's Syndrome in Wellness

Reynaud's Syndrome

hick — Fri, 12 Nov 2021 11:30:34 GMT

I was diagnosed with this about 6 months ago. I never had any health problems prior to this diagnosis.

Just wondering if anyone else is dealing with this.

Re: Reynaud's Syndrome

50Mickey — Fri, 12 Nov 2021 11:41:56 GMT

@hick My sister had Reynaud's syndrome. She also had an autoimmune disease that was very serious. Some have Reynaud's with no underlying autoimmune issues. This is called Reynaud's Phenomenon. My sister's hands would turn blue all the way up to her wrists with the slightest chill in the air. She learned to keep gloves nearby anytime she went in a store that was air conditioned. I don't know that there is any treatment for this. But you should see a Rheumatologist. I wish you the best. I hope you live in a warm climate.

Re: Reynaud's Syndrome

on the bay — Fri, 12 Nov 2021 12:56:02 GMT

I've had it for many years and just learned to live with it. I first noticed it when I was sittting outside one day long ago and my hands were white and felt like ice blocks. When I would go to the doctor they would comment on my purple knees. I have a lot of pretty gloves that match many outfits! 😊

I once was prescribed something for it and forgot what it was called but it made my heart pound so I stopped.

I just carry gloves in my purse, in the car, in my coat pockets. Summertime and air condition is just as bad as winter and cold.

I guess I'm used to it and find it an annoyance (and yes also painful) esp when driving. I think the main thing is make sure your hands don't get too cold. Then you start to feel not well all over.

I have Carpal Tunnel even after surgeries too so that makes it worse and not very nice.

Yes, I think a rheumatologist, a good one hopefully would be the way to go. But don't feel you have to like any prescription that is prescribed.

I was pretty young when first diagnosed

Welcome here!

Re: Reynaud's Syndrome

SilleeMee — Fri, 12 Nov 2021 13:29:26 GMT

I have it and it's a key symptom of having scleroderma AI disease. Raynaud's was one of the very first things which happened to me before I was officially diagnosed with scleroderma twenty years ago.

Keep your hands warm and shield them from air passing over them...a breeze from a room fan or an outdoor wind can set it off, even during the warmer months.

Re: Reynaud's Syndrome

50Mickey — Fri, 12 Nov 2021 13:59:15 GMT

@SilleeMee Reynauds was the first sympton that lead to my sister's diagnosis of scleroderma also. We both worked in a building that kept the air conditioning blasting away during the summer. She would go into the restroom and run her hands under warm water to get the blood flowing again. Her hands would go from blue to white to pink.

Re: Reynaud's Syndrome

SilleeMee — Fri, 12 Nov 2021 20:59:18 GMT

@50Mickey

My doctor gave me a Rx for a BP med (nifedipine) which dilated my blood vessels in my hands and feet so the blood could circulate to those areas. Before that my hands and feet would get so cold then the Raynauds would get to my hands and my fingers would turn white as if I had painted them with white paint. It was painful when the blood came back.

I had undiagnosed high BP at that time so that contributed to the Raynauds. Today I no longer take Rx meds of any kind and I do not have any episodes of Raynauds either. I have focused on my diet and exercise to give me that good fortune.

ETA - For me adding a turmeric supplement really helped stop my bouts with Raynauds. I can't say enough about that supp.

Re: Reynaud's Syndrome

BirkiLady — Fri, 12 Nov 2021 19:31:13 GMT

Reynaud's also is common with Lupus, RA, diabetes, or many other health problems. Like previous posters, I've had it for years.

Keeping gloves handy is about the best advice given and warm water to bring the blood flowing back into your veins of hands, feet or other areas. There is a danger of amputation if the fingers or toes (or whatever area) becomes too cold for too long. Talk with your Rheumatologist about Reynaud's. It's often along with other autoimmune diseases.

Re: Reynaud's Syndrome

LindaSal — Fri, 12 Nov 2021 20:37:27 GMT

@hick I've had this condition since I was in my 20's. My physician has never sent me out to a Rheumatoid specialist and I have never taken meds for it. Mine do get really bad at times, mostly in the winter. But as another poster stated, the trick is to not let your hands and feet become cold in the first place. I live in the northeast so I always keep gloves in my car and handwarmers. (I actually buy them in bulk!) As much effort I put in, it still comes on suddenly at times. The handwarmers are a Godsend and really help the blood start to flow again. It was so bad one time I was at the supermarket and the cashier had to help me take my credit card out of my wallet, my fingers were so numb I could barely function. Warmth warmth warmth!!! Be well.

Re: Reynaud's Syndrome

Growing — Fri, 12 Nov 2021 22:07:13 GMT

Yes, I was finally diagnosed with mid level Raynauds this summer by a vascular cardiologist. My hands and feet get really cold and painful. I was given a calcium channel blocker that worked wonderfully except it has lactose in the pills (nifedipine generic). I am allergic to milk so I had symptoms of this allergy and had to stop. Then I tried another same type but without lactose. It seems to work but lately I have had a UTI and liver pain and I stopped the calcium channel blocker just to see. My hands and feet are now cold and painful again. Soon as I am done with this terrible UTI, I will go back on the calcium channel blocker.

There are FARInfared gloves and socks that are absolutely wonderful. They warm up hands and feet. Just google them as there are several brands. Worth the high price.

Re: Reynaud's Syndrome

hick — Sat, 13 Nov 2021 11:50:21 GMT

I appreciate everyone's information about this disease. I was diagnosed by the dermatologist who took a biopsy and also the rheumatologist who confirmed his diagnosis.

My symptoms appeared 2 weeks after my second shot of Moderna. The rheumatologist started me on hydroxychloroquine. I have worries that this will progress into scleroderma.

I am really upset that I have to wear gloves to drink my evening martini out of a chilled glass.

Re: Reynaud's Syndrome

on the bay — Sat, 13 Nov 2021 12:21:03 GMT

@hick,

Wear those gloves loud and proud!😄

You can match them to all your outfits!😊

Re: Reynaud's Syndrome

SilleeMee — Sat, 13 Nov 2021 15:19:41 GMT

I wish I could wear gloves. But the scleroderma has caused my hands to contract into permanent fists so the only hand coverings I can wear have to be mittens and those have to be child size mittens b/c adult mittens are too large...think of having just a palm without fingers and that's what I'm dealing with as far as getting mittens to fit me.

Re: Reynaud's Syndrome

Pink123 — Sun, 14 Nov 2021 17:43:10 GMT

I have had bouts of Raynaud's since my 30's. I only have it in my fingers. I'm thin and if I lose weight it seems to give me more episodes. And yes it does hurt when the fingers turn white. Mine get numb too. I turn on the hot water and keep my fingers under it while massaging snd slapping my thighs to wake them up. After about 5 minutes it will subside. It does look kind of crazy when it happens. People around me are like "what the heck is that?" lol.

I live in Florida which helps a bit but a cold blast of air conditioning can set a few fingers off. And it's freezing cold everywhere here in restaurants, malls, offices, etc. I do not have any autoimmune disorder by the way. Just Raynaud's.

Re: Reynaud's Syndrome

Flatbush — Tue, 16 Nov 2021 06:25:33 GMT

I was diagnosed with it about 10 years ago so I carry warm gloves with me all year round, and I live in Southern California.

My fingers turn color even when I get the lettuce out of the refrigerator and I am cutting it for a salad. I also have my right hand turn painfully cold at night when I am typing on the computer.

I also carry hand warmers in the car for when I come out of the grocery stores.

One thing I was told by the diagnosing Dr was: if I should ever need a transfusion, the blood should be warmed before administrating.

Re: Reynaud's Syndrome

eadu4 — Tue, 16 Nov 2021 12:37:48 GMT

My daughter has lupus/mixed connective tissue disorder and including Reynaud's among the bag of auto-immune issues. Her hands and feet get very cold, very quickly and go white. I always got her a pair of Uggs gloves for the winter for when she goes outside. They have been the best for her hands. Yes they are pricey, but boy do they work. I also get her a pair of Uggs when her pair wears out because again her feet get sooo cold quickly. I invest in the slippers for her as well. She has them for many years before they wear out so for the price she gets my money's worth lol. When they get cold they go white and are stiff and hard to bend. I keep a supply of hand warmers as well for her and me since when I ride my vanpool in the back is usually the last to warm up lol. I love those things. At one point in my career I was in a very cold room (was an old telecom room and still had the huge fans) I used to buy the 3 pack of knit gloves and cut the finger tips off so I could type.

Re: Reynaud's Syndrome

50Mickey — Tue, 16 Nov 2021 16:18:30 GMT

Just a word about gloves. Don't wear gloves that are tight like leather gloves.This will constrict the blood flow even more and make it worse. Try knit or even cotton gloves if you can find them. And from one martini drinker to another wear your gloves and enjoy your martini. And remember Reynauds does not always indicate scleroderma.

Re: Reynaud's Syndrome

SilleeMee — Tue, 16 Nov 2021 16:35:27 GMT

@50Mickey wrote:
Just a word about gloves. Don't wear gloves that are tight like leather gloves.This will constrict the blood flow even more and make it worse. Try knit or even cotton gloves if you can find them. And from one martini drinker to another wear your gloves and enjoy your martini. And remember Reynauds does not always indicate scleroderma.

@50Mickey

LOL! I prefer hot chocolate with a shot of peppermint schnapps while sitting in a hot spring under the Colorado stars at night.

Re: Reynaud's Syndrome

allaries — Thu, 18 Nov 2021 18:15:57 GMT

You may not believe this as my doctor did not at the time but found it true and it was reported to the FDA by this doctor. LIsinopril the blood pressure medicine caused me to have early symptons of medically induced Lupus. One in three million cases at the timel Lucky huh. Anyway to get to Reynauds. Well they then prescribed abother ace inhibitor and two weeks later, against advice of pharmacist at Walmart, I took it and ened up with start of Reynauds. All has been recorded. Glady over few months all cleared up. I finally found doctor to do blood tests and no remaining symptoms had been found. Most doctors dont like to admit that meds can cause unusal side effects but believe me they do.

Re: Reynaud's Syndrome

allaries — Thu, 18 Nov 2021 18:17:28 GMT

Oh I might add I am diabetic and have been for 30 years. Dont know if that was a factor or not.

Re: Reynaud's Syndrome

Boomernichols — Sat, 20 Nov 2021 00:04:45 GMT

@hick I was diagnosed with low thyroid, hashimotos, multi-nodular goiter and reynauds in 2000. Buy yourself some MITTENS, not gloves as told to me by my doctor. The mittens keep your fingers close together and generate more heat he said. It does make a big difference and I donated my gloves and have switched to mittens. I would almost cry when I had to go grocery shopping but the mittens have really helped. Good luck as there is no cure but is managable.