Raynauds, running and tingly fingers.

[spoonierunning]

My fingers often go tingly when I run and sometimes painful, I do suffer from raynauds but never expected running to affect it, but a quick google this morning told me it can. Since starting the longer runs in these later weeks I am also sufferering when I get home post cool down, because of my ME I tend to hit my bed and have a rest before doing anything else and it's hit and miss if I've got out of my running kit by this point, though the day I made sure I changed it didn't really make a difference - but I end up with a cold nose and more notably blue lips, again a raynauds symptom as it restricts blood supply to the outer extremites.

I am finding it hard to get balance of clothing right at the moment if I'm warm enough going out then I'm too hot when I start running, if I dress for running then I am too cold to start either way it messes my hands up. Added to mix because I like to be extra awkward I also suffer heat intolerance (it makes managing raynauds so much more interesting lol).

So any tips from raynauds suffers or anyone else in general?

[Ullyrunner Graduate]

Oh Spoonie, no advice I'm afraid, just commiserations. Hope you work out a solution. I usually start out feeling chilly but stagger back all hot and sweaty so I dress for the hot and sweaty bit!

[spoonierunning Graduate in reply to Ullyrunner]

I went out later today and no issues, so seems it's the chilly mornings that are my issue, but I prefer going out early. Oh well I will just have to keep trying things out

[Hidden]

I can't offer any advice, sorry, but I just wanted to let you know that I think you are doing so well with so much to battle against. I admire your strength of spirit. Good luck with getting this matter sorted and best wishes.

[spoonierunning Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Thank you. I just have to keep on trying. I owe my mother for my fighting spirit.

[Oldgirl Graduate]

Oh Spoonie I feel for you and hopefully someone will have better advice but one or two things I may suggest. I do get numb fingers when running longer distances and have found to shake my hands quite rigorously when it first starts, taking my hands up higher than elbow height and shaking them down as if shaking water off them. I do this a few times and it brings the circulation back to fingers.

As far as body temp is concerned I would be inclined to carry a very light weight ruck sack so that you have somewhere to put gloves, hat, jacket etc when you have become warm enough. As far as your energy levels dropping so drastically at the end of a run my only suggestion would be to top up your liquids and perhaps have some sugar like jelly babies or Kendal Mint Cake which is a hill walkers survival remedy for lack of energy.

Not sure if any of this will help but good luck, take care and make sure you look after yourself.

[spoonierunning Graduate in reply to Oldgirl]

Thank you the shaking is a great idea, I hadn't thought of that I will give it a try

[grannyjudes Graduate]

my mind boggles at your tenacity, well done, I stand in awe

[spoonierunning Graduate in reply to grannyjudes]

Thank you. I just put one foot in front of the other and keep trying like everyone else.

[swanscot Graduate]

I have to shake out my hands every so often as I too suffer with a mild Raynalds. My hands are never comfortable when running for long. They are either too cold, or as soon as they start to warm up, they sometimes swell.

Regards keeping your body temperature right, the advice is too dress for for about 10°F/5°C warmer than it actually is. You need to be slightly cold when you set off, however, if you find this uncomfortable you could take a top or jacket and tie it around your waist when you get warm. . I really dislike running with anything around my waist and on cold mornings I've sometimes set off up the road wearing a long-sleeved shirt or jacket to do my warm up walk - but heading in the opposite direction to which I'm going to run. Then I turn around after 3-5 minutes and head back, pausing as I pass my house to toss my jacket over the garden fence and continue on my run.

[KarenBear]

My hands tend to swell when I run due to poor circulation but the shaking and alternately clenching my fists and relaxing them helps.

Also, I have a running shirt that has a large zippered pocket diagonally across the lower back which I wear when it is cold. I start out with a wooly headband and gloves and half way through I'm stuffing them into the pocket. You might look out for something like that. I'm in the US and got it at Target which I think is like a Primark.

[Oldgirl Graduate in reply to KarenBear]

You can often find tops like you describe in any sports shop in the Cycling Dept. here in the UK. I have one and find its great for spring time running when its often quite cold about 5C but can warm up on a nice day so gloves and buff have to come off.