Cold hands with a Warm heart

[GOWERBOY]

Good morning everyone . Since I joined it is amazing how knowledgeable I have become just reading the many intelligent opinions and suggestions. Another question I have is that my hands are cold or feel cold a lot of the time. In fact what happens is that they feel like lumps of wood and become insensitive. My wife tells me that the heating bills are going through the roof. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[SpiritoftheFloyd]

Hi

Are you on a beta blocker? They have a tendency to leave you with cold hands and feet.

After my heart attack in December 2018 I was prescribed Bisoprolol. It left me with permanently cold hands and feet and a running nose - my heating was running 24 hours a day.

I got it changed to Carvedilol last July, since then it has improved a huge amount, still get cold hands and a bit of a drippy nose if I'm out walking and there's a strong cool wind, but vastly improved since switching to Carvedilol.

We all react differently to the medicines we're on, I know someone who has been on Bisoprolol for years and they were amazed when I mentioned that I was freezing as they'd never had that side effect

[GOWERBOY in reply to SpiritoftheFloyd]

In one I am on Bisoprolol and our heating is constantly on even on a warm day like today. Thanks.

[Lezzers in reply to GOWERBOY]

Hi, my husband was always the same, even before he went on bisoprolol because of poor circulation.

The heating would be on 24/7, he'd be huddled to up to a radiator even with a jumper & 2 jackets on. The heating bills were horrendous!

As spirit as suggested you could ask to change to carvedilol, see if that helps.

[GOWERBOY in reply to Lezzers]

Thanks Lezzers. Your hubbies problem sounds exactly the same as I have. As I type this now my hands are freezing, and even gloves take a long time to reduce the effect

[Lezzers in reply to GOWERBOY]

Yeah, he found gloves were not very effective. Good luck, I hope you find a solution, it really is miserable for you feeling like a block of ice all the time.

[GOWERBOY in reply to Lezzers]

Thanks.

[Maisie2014]

I think it’s Bisoprolol. 🥶Since I was taken off them my husband says my thermostat has broken and I’m hot all the time. I quite liked having cold hands. Oh well can’t have everything. 🥵

[GOWERBOY in reply to Maisie2014]

Hi Maisie, thanks for the answer. I take Bisoprolol and several others on the site have made the same comment. I will speak with our doctors next week. I hope your husband is pleased with the side effect?

[Hidden]

I agree, I have learnt more from this forum in the last couple of months than I have from the cardiologists & medics I have dealt with in the last year. I am on Bisoprolol for the last year, starting on 2.5mg which kept making faint off to 2x 5mg. No cold hands or feet but then I prefer the cold but I have had a almost constant dripping nose & developed nasal drip at the back of the throat which comes & goes.

Best of luck

[GOWERBOY in reply to Hidden]

Great accurate information from people who unfortunately suffer the side effects of medication prescribed with the best intentions. I don't have any nasal or throat problems. Strange how we are all react so differently to the same medicines but are all human beings..

[MountainGoat52]

Is it just cold hands (and feet) or do your fingers go white? If they do, then like me you might have Reynaud's Syndrome.... and yes, Bisoprolol does make it worse.

[GOWERBOY in reply to MountainGoat52]

There is a tendency for the fingers to turn white

[tunybgur]

It will be the beta blockers, however there is a solution without the crippling heating bills. I bought myself a heated cushion and thoroughly recommend it for all those cold hands and feet out there, £19.99 on Amazon....

CLIFFORD JAMES Heated Cushion Super Soft Fleece Adjustable Temperature Control with Hand Pockets & Washable Cover (Cream)

[GOWERBOY in reply to tunybgur]

Good morning. What a brilliant idea .I have never seen or heard of this pillow but anything is worth a try Thanks again I will let you know how I get on

[isobelhannah18]

I use a hot water bottle for feet and hands-all year round!

[GOWERBOY in reply to isobelhannah18]

Thanks for the tip. tunybgur suggested a product from Amazon which I am ordering. Sounds great and when it arrives I will let you all know . Best regards.

[stillaboveground in reply to GOWERBOY]

I use wheat bags warmed up in the microwave. Take care all.

[GOWERBOY in reply to stillaboveground]

I am so looking forward to warmth and flexible fingers Thanks all for great ideas and solutions.

[Ianc2]

Hi Gowerboy

Have a look in Blacks or Cotswolds or other outdoor pursuit shops. Lots of layers might help you a bit.

1, Merino wool base layers (tops and leggings) to start. If you think merinos are a bit pricey try ordinary thermals underware from amazon or marks and spencer.

2,, long sleeve T shirts or ordinary shirts on top,

3 . A woolly pullover on top,(optional)

4. A Lightweight down insulated 'vest' or a lightweight/midweight/heavyweight fleece on top of that.

5, A windproof/waterproof shell on top, with generous pockets that you can shove your gloved hands in.

6. A snood to stop the cold air whistling down your neck, Can also be pulled up to form a mask.

Craghoppers produce some lined walking trouser for winter walking which might help you keep the heat in. They are on offer now as it is summertime Sale time. Don't forget a warm hat.

Gloves. Ski mittens are pretty good, or you can spend any amount of cash on insulated gloves, heated gloves, lightweight glove inserts to go inside heavyweight gloves, etc.

Socks, Bridgedale produce walking socks in different thicknesses and weights, Along with thick sole shoes walking shoes heat can be retained. If it gets cold I have some merino/possum super thick socks that I bought in New Zealand which I wear in bed.

The benefit of wearing lots of layers is that every layer traps a chunk of air. If you get too warm you can take a layer off and vice versa, which can be a bit of a game if you go out for a walk on a typical British summer's day - hail, rain, sleet, snow, wind and sunshine, in any quantity and any order. For that reason I try to make sure that there is a café half way round so I can wrap my hands around a mug of something hot.

[GOWERBOY in reply to Ianc2]

Thanks for such a comprehensive list of helpful ideas. We were skiers and I use our various thermal clothes inside the house, to the great amusement of my family. These clothes do help. I regularly have 3 or 4 thermal vests on, thick socks and different thermal gear, hats long johns. I don't have any self heating items and so intend to follow some of your recommendations. Id forgotten about using a Snood. Yes everyday we walk our dogs and it is a great tip to get a halfway refuelling point. Sometimes I look like Mr Blimp but warmth is more important . My family keep on telling me its all in the mind.

[stillaboveground in reply to Ianc2]

Wow sounds as if you got it all sorted. Keep safe.

[shwills]

My feet and hands are always cold and sometimes feel numb

I take Carvedilol bets blockers and have come to accept it

It is very unpleasant and uncomfortable though o understand what it is like

I

[GOWERBOY in reply to shwills]

Thanks for the email. Yes you are right. Sometimes it does put the quality of life that we used to enjoy out of reach. With me my hands are constantly numb and sometimes very cold. I will try and get some self heating items from different sources that have been recommended. It is now2,39 in the morning awoken by cold hands,