How Do You Cope with Raynauds?

Is there anyway to manage raynauds? I have been adversely affected this winter with chilblains to match. It doesn't have to be particularly cold for my fingers to turn to blocks of ice. Wonder if there was any special gloves, boots, socks that can help to keep warm?

Cheers

[pattismith]

Both myself and my 21 yr old daughter have that, both on medication , we try all the things like keeping wrapped up , exercise and healthy diet and regular check ups with rheumatologist . I couldnt live without my hot water bottle during the day and my electric blanket at night, they both ease the pain : )

[kayxn]

HI i also suffer very bad with raynauds i bought special gloves and socks which you wear under r normal ones and they keep you at a correct temp, bought them online and they r made by nasa, they r great

[Belee]

I also have the gloves from nasa and they've really helped. Also on nifedipine. Good luck! Xxx

[Hidden in reply to Belee]

Thanks guys. Have you got the website address?

[kayxn]

nifedipine does help i also have iloprost infusions every 3months not pleasant as the drug opens all r blood cells and r head hurts like hell but it works for a couple of months usually bt this winter has been a struggle

[Barnclown]

hi. i found the special silver-knit fingerless mitts and gloves and socks too from the Raynauds & Scelroderma Association here in the UK. they have a good website, and also a forum here on healthunlocked, both of which have made a huge difference to me coping with my raynauds. so, if you haven't been to their website & forum, think about it. just google Raynauds & Scleroderma Association UK and you'll see the link to their website. their forum can be found here on healthunlocked via this site's list of other communities

by the way, my husband who also has raynauds (secondary to crohns disease, another autoimmune condition) swears by these mitts: he does a lot of work outdoors planting trees (he is out there right now in this freezing weather) and says it is great these mitts can fit so neatly into his work gloves.

i was prescribed nifedipine when my lifelong usa diagnosed sle was FINALLY diagnosed here in the uk a few years ago. nifedipine was disastrous for me! it made ALL my sle symptoms much worse, and stimulated my circulation way over the top. this apparently is cause i have simultaneous raynauds & erythromelalgia secondary to my sle (the R & S website has great archives which include info about erythromelalgia). at the time, my then rheumy did not tell me that when someone overreacts to nifedipine this can ratchet up their erythromelalgia even worse and it's v likely symptoms will not return to the previous level ever again. this is what happened to me. i wish that rheumy had told me i should instantly STOP taking nifedipine if it made any of my symptoms worse. as if was, i did stop after 3 days, but i wish i had stopped on day one! and i'd recommend extreme caution when put on nifedipine. apparently my simultaneous raynauds & erythromelalgia are unusual, but, hey, it happens

take care

[Hidden in reply to Barnclown]

Thanks for the info. Will get me some silver gloves. I'm not keen on taking meds so will keep away from. Never heard of erythromelalgia but reading up on the symtoms it seems this is what I have and not chilblains - some toes are red and swollen and won't go away.

All the best to you.

[chrissiij]

Socks, gloves and hot water bottle in bed. Zexy!

[Paul_Howard Partner LUPUS UK]

Here's an article we did last year on tips for coping with Raynaud's - lupusuk.healthunlocked.com/...

[Hidden]

Thanks y'all. I got me some gloves and socks which came today and it makes a difference! Now, how do you keep your ears and nose warm...? (kidding)

[sleek]

Wear a ski suit all winter and battery operated socks and gloves to stay toasty. With a couple of hot stone massages gets me through.

[Fennella02 in reply to sleek]

I had the battery operated gloves and neck warmer too and found them good but sooo heavy. I can't wear 2 pairs of gloves at the same time as it restricts my circulation and makes things so much worse. My lifesaving gloves are some shaggy fleece ones from the North Face - they look like bear's paws and cost almost £30 but they never let me down. I also love my hottie and electric blanket!