Ideas?? Reynauds in fingers.

[grumpyoldgirl]

So, after my lovely run yesterday, the tops of my fingers went white and numb, but not until I'd got home into a slightly chilly house. Any ideas how to prevent this? I've got running gloves, they're not very warm but I don't want anything tight that will cut off blood flow. (They thawed out in the shower, but felt funny for ages)

[Razouski]

I have Reynauds in my fingers too. I don't have any answers other than running gloves. Maybe you need a warmer pair. When it gets really cold I swap my running gloves for a pair of thinsulate gloves, and last year when we had the Beast from the East I actually wore my running gloves underneath my thinsulate gloves.

[grumpyoldgirl in reply to Razouski]

Thanks, I've ordered a pair of fingerless merino gloves for when I finish my runs, (or just generally,). But I might have to better running gloves, I think your right. This is the first time I've run when it's really cold, I was taken by surprise because I was ok when running. I suppose it's not letting my temperature drop too far. I like the idea of gloves inside gloves, you must be made of tough stuff to be running in that!

[Razouski in reply to grumpyoldgirl]

The trouble is I get quite hot when I'm running except for my hands, so I'm really into layers. Yesterday I started off in a tee shirt and two zip up jackets, but pretty soon one jacket was off tied round my waist, then the 2nd jacket came off, but the gloves stayed firmly on! I must look a bit strange, as sometimes I'll be in a running vest but with my gloves on as my hands never seem to get warm and the Reynauds is so uncomfortable.

[happysouls Graduate10]

I have the same. The funny thing is that when I'm running I get so hot that I don't wear a jacket or gloves even in yesterday's frost. I just have my long sleeves pulled down over my hands but seem to stay warm. However when I stop I freeze straight away and when I got in the shower yesterday my hands were as white and dead looking as I'd ever seen them! I don't think I'll change anything as regards running gear however I do find when I'm out walking that big padded mittens rather than gloves do the job really well as the air trapped in there and circulating around seems to work really well.

[squaremum]

Hi, I have Reynauds in my fingers too. I've tried several brands of running gloves, woolly gloves and even leather gloves, with varied results. I've found that the best option for me is to wear a pair of thin running gloves (I have Inov8 and Hilly ones at the moment) with a pair of inov-8 All Terrain Pro Mitt Gloves on the top. I got them for my birthday a couple of years ago after moaning about cold hands and they are a lifesaver! They are also waterproof so no more freezing wet gloves

[BaddieThePirate Graduate10]

I don't think there's an answer unfortunately. It is a question I asked my doc the other day. The only medication is heart medication 😳. I think we have to learn to live with it. Keep as warm as possible, don't wear tight things on your hands, get your white fingers back to pink ASAP because it isn't good for them to be white.

Driving sets mine off, holding a cold steering wheel. I've been wondering if I can get a warm one...

It didn't happen in Australia. Any chance you go away for the winter?

[grumpyoldgirl]

Ah, if only. Fun fun fun in the sun sun sun! (Or should that be run run run...) My main trigger is supermarket shopping. It's cold in there, and I have to take my gloves off to pick things up. Or peeling potatoes. Off to Google inov8 gloves, thanks squaremum! General consensus seems to be, wear gloves and or mitts even if I think I'm warm enough. Thanks all, you're all brilliant.

[Sqkr]

I get reynauds all the time, in all flipping seasons, the trick for me is not gloves—they don't do much and get in the way, I just never wear them—but keeping my core and wrists warm. If the weather is brutal and icy when I'm running I wrap merino buffs round my wrists, and I've not yet found a better alternative. It's mostly fine when I'm moving but if I stop at traffic lights or something like that then my fingers do sometimes try to drop off. Then I tend to fold my sleeve cuffins over them for a few minutes until I get going and my circulation perks up again. My nail beds went blue at the traffic lights the other day, which was quite drastic and entertaining.

[grumpyoldgirl in reply to Sqkr]

Now that's interesting, I'm not sure gloves are the answer for me either. Yes, other people are fascinated at the colours my fingers go. Me not so much 😂 My merino fingerless gloves liners are turning up tomorrow, yippee! but those buffs could be the way forward. Thank you, I'd never have thought of it.

[Flyingred Graduate10]

I wonder if heated gloves (battery powered – check the big auction site) would work. They are very popular with motorcyclists and microlighters. They prevent the fingers getting cold in the first place.

A friend who suffers Reynaud's does violent chopping moves with her arms outstretched which helps her recover pretty quickly (I know that wasn't the question you asked but hope it helps).

[Helloyougorgeous]

I am so glad to read all this as I suddenly feel I am in good company. I have been having it for years, at times worst than others and on Sunday after my 6k I had the weirdest episode ever. I was wearing gloves and had pulled the sleeeves of my two tops over my hands. The interesting thing is that it also happened only once I got back in the house, not whilst running or whilst outdoors 🤔

Anyway, there is a Raynauds association uk website with helpful general tips. For me, reducing or completely eliminating caffeine intake makes a difference in the winter months, or when for whatever reason this happens even when washing salad. And I stay clear of any decongestant medicines.

The buffs sound like a good idea, thanks Sqkr, will try that.

[grumpyoldgirl in reply to Helloyougorgeous]

Aha, I knew it was a bad idea to mix coffee with lettuce! It's so annoying isn't it, when it catches you unawares like that. The caffeine tip is a good one, also the website, thanks gorgeous (love the name btw). Didn't know about decongestant either. I don't take them but that might help someone, looks like like there are a few of us!

[Gingernutter]

As far as I have come to understand its the sudden change in temperature that triggers it. My fingers go white, numb and make it difficult to do use my hands. I bought a pair of glove liners from the Raynaud's society (silver thread?) But they don't seem to help. Liners and then mittens seem to be a better option but conversely my hands get very hot when running or hiking so they're off after 10 mins 😂

[grumpyoldgirl in reply to Gingernutter]

Hi ginger, you too! I find my gloves work until they don't, then they just make it worse once the symptoms start. I've got a lovely warm pair of insulated mitts, but I couldn't wear them to run, and I can't do the veg in them either 😂. I have visions of getting home from a run, wrapping myself in a huge blanket and sticking the mitts on. And staying like that until the thermostat reaches max. 😎🌡️

So many helpful ideas here though, hope something works for you.