Anyone else have an issue with cold hands?

[RTR1]

Hi fellow MSers,

I have an issue with my right hand always being very cold, much colder than anywhere else on my body including my left hand. I also have foot drop on my right side that goes along with the lesion on the right side of my spine according to my MRI. I am wondering if my cold right hand could also be a symptom of my MS. This is so uncomfortable especially since I am still working and on my computer all day. I constantly have to stop and warm up my hand (even during the summer months). Does anyone else out there have something similar? I keep reading about pain and heat but not cold.

Thank you in advance

[carolek572 CommunityAmbassador]

I have issues with my hands and feet always feeling cold, RTR1 . I can usually warm my hands by running warm water on them. For my feet, I use a heat pad. I also get hot flashes from time to time, and when I do, I use my cold hands to cool down my face. It works.

I used to be a computer programmer so I understand what you are going through. It would help having a small throw to use when my legs would get cold, especially in the summertime when the AC was on. I kid you not, but when I was driving home after work, in the summer, that I would have my car seat warmers on! Keep Smiling!

[Fancy59 CommunityAmbassador]

RTR1, Some people with MS deal with a syndrome called the Raynaudi's syndrome. Many people who deal with this regularly have issues with cold hands and even wear gloves year around. The most severe issues come when it is bitterly cold in the winter and you do not properly protect your extremeties, (fingers, toes, even ears and nose.). Long story short when your extremeties get bitterly cold with Raynaudi's Syndrome it cuts off your blood supply to your extremists by causing the blood vessels feeding them to constrict. Then Your extremities turn a lovely shade of either blue or white and the pain begìns. The one time I had it the pain drove me to my knees. Out of the blue my hands felt as if I had hundreds of spikes being driven into them. It was awlful. I don't have to wear gloves year around but in the winter I can't run cold water over my hands for very long because they start to hurt.

If you need more information on this feel free to contact me back and I'll go over with you. Take care and keep those hands warm. Remember together we are stronger. Fancy59.

[Hidden in reply to Fancy59]

I have Raynauds =diagnosed around 1995 and am one of those who needs to wear gloves all or most of the year.Mine started in spring of 1995 when i was pushing my niece in her buggy and my hands suddenly became cold and numb-turning white and red.I have not heard of anyone else being affected all year round .

[Peruzzot]

I've had 2nd degree frostbite on my hands and feet before so I'm already sensitive to the cold. MS intensified that sensitivity even more. I'm comfortable at temps most healthy people think is too hot. While I was still working in the cubicle mouse maze there were wars fought over the a/c. The men seemed to think that "0" meant "off". I'd turn the temp up to something more comfortable for me 75°F. They'd turn it back down to 0! The nerve!

But that being said you should talk to your doctor just to make sure it's MS and not some serious circulatory system issue.

[Sagesewer]

I have one hand warm and one hand cold. Not all the time, but enough to be annoying. I chalk it up to an MS thing.

I too have right foot drop, but I think it’s because of lesions on my left side. Not sure if they’re on the spine or brain.

[NorasMom]

Yep; it's another MS curse. Mine is intermittent, usually on the right, but it affects both hands and feet. I usually just treat the symptoms as best I can, but I also keep a close eye on the thermostat and outdoor thermometers so that I don't do something stupid. Just because I'm really hot doesn't mean I should go running outside in minus-zero temperatures with no shoes or coat. Being too cold is more common, so like Carolek572 I frequently just use warm water or a heating pad.

Trying to type is definitely the worst. You may need to start taking more frequent breaks just to warm up your hands. Is your job covered by the ADA or FMLA?

[Sandydemop]

hi RTR1 i have cold hands and feet, undiagnosed Reynaud's i suppose. extreme heat and cold are both irritating to my system, thanks to MS. I have used voice dictation on my computer as needed. wishing you well.

[mrsmike9]

The bottoms of my feet and my toes are nearly always cold. When I touch them with my hands they feel fine. It's odd.

[Goldilockssearching]

my right foot is an ice block

[309Ygi]

I have that my hand . And ice cold spot on the top of my head lately both lumps and my tongue numb . I hope you find wellness

[Brindisi1]

I have reynauds in hands, but intermittently & all yr. My feet always cold & wear socks, 24/7. This winter extremely cold in legs (live on houston, but not that cold). Took boiling hot bathes to wam up & felt good. Friend said maybe circulatory problem. May ask cardiologist or pcp during next visit.

[Tazmanian]

I have reynauds and my feet turn purple and it is caused by MS

[BlanketTime1]

i have the opposite. my right foot always feels hot, no matter what i do. i'm still in limboland, so who knows why? since it's not painful, i chalk it up to another of my body's weird issues.

[Neworleanslady]

i have normally colored but ice cold hands and feet.

[Cutefreckles72]

My hands don't get cold that much, but my feet are always cold even in the summer heat. They are cold.