Reynaud's disease anyone? (white fingers in the cold)

[guidoLaMoto]

Originally Posted by gemkeeper

Hello, RH1. I, too, have Raynaud's disease. I have many auto-immune diseases of which Raynaud's is one.

I have not taken medications for Raynauds, but do take many precautions to avoid the onset. I have difficulty going into grocery stores and any place that is typically cooler than 70° or so.

I do wear gloves whenever possible, even in my own home when putting things in and out of the freezer or refrigerator. I many times have to ask a family member to do it for me it I reach the point of severe circulation cut-off.

I am always careful to fully dry my hands when washing them because this triggers the response, as well as, applying hand lotion. I try to keep my lotions in a warm place. This happens as a result of quick evaporation which causes cooling. It doesn't take much to trigger.

Raynaud's that is chronic - happening daily - can be quite dangerous. It often is accompanied by loss of feeling - neuropathy. It is very easy to injure oneself if you have lost the feeling in fingers or toes (or even your nose) as a result of Raynauds.

The flesh of my fingers hardens when the attack is severe, so that they feel like a plastic doll's fingers or those of someone who has died. Knives can be very dangerous in this case because the fingers are not soft any longer to give a little if slicing something with a knife.

Raynaud's lasting for a few hours is also quite dangerous as gangrene can eventually set into the digits or permanent tissue and nerve damage.

The best recommendation I can give to you is to see a Rheumotologist (They specialize in autoimmune diseases, such as arthritus, the most common). The doctor can best advise you on what things you can do to quickly restore circulation to your fingers and what to do to avoid them. As far as I know there is no medication that will help this condition. The best remedy is prevention. I now drive a car with a heated steering wheel, which helps tremendously!!

I hope that this has helped you some. But, seeking the advice of a physician who specializes in this disorder is best.

Excellent post.


One correction: Calcium channel blockers can be used to treat Raynaud's, often greatly reducing the number of attacks, even if not completely eliminating them, and..


One additional tip: as well as keeping your hands warm, keep your total body warm too. A chill of any part can set up the reflex constriction of the blood vessels in the hands, even if they themselves are still warm.

[thetiredone]

Out of the blue today my fingertip froze, like it felt frozen. It also looked blue in the nail bed when the
moon-shape is. Is this what you experienced with Reynaud's? I do have arthritis but never has this happened.

[Deserterer]

Originally Posted by thetiredone

Out of the blue today my fingertip froze, like it felt frozen. It also looked blue in the nail bed when the
moon-shape is. Is this what you experienced with Reynaud's? I do have arthritis but never has this happened.

Welcome to Raynaud's. It can turn white or blue because the circulation is cut off. Swinging your arms around like a windmill will get the circulation going again.

[elchevere]

I developed it about a year ago. My hands/fingers turn a purple and/or blue. I’ve seen a rheumatologist who ruled out about a dozen more severe issues that it is not and has held off on prescribing meds for now. I usually notice it when it is cold outside and/or when I come out of the shower (even a warm shower). I typically run my hands under warm/hot water for a minute or two. Seems to get the feeling back in my hands/fingers.

[rabbit33]

Yep this sucks. Suffered with this in New England for some years. I generally just run a sink of hot water and stick my hands in. Painful at first but then the circulation re-starts.

[thetiredone]

Now it is in my pinky finger. Not the tip this time, just feels frozen and tingles with pain somewhat. I called to schedule an appointment with a new Rheumatologist.