raynauds

[angelah]

hi there

can anyone tell me, is it safe to force circulation back ie in hot water/on radiator as i have been told not too, is it also ok to use heatpads/heated gloves etc as my heat pad came with a warning to consult dr before using? thanks in advance

[zenabb]

If I understand you rightly, you mean if your hands, for example, go white or blue, would be all right to use heat to force the circulation back. If you can bear it, and it's not too hot, it's all right but I don't find it the best way. Heat pads have a warning because if you are diabetic you are not sensitive and might burn yourself I imagine. If I want an immediate answer I have a cup of coffee with Tia Maria or brandy in it and cover myself warmly.

[Anteater]

I have used the method of plunging my hands in hot water wearing rubber gloves but wishing I never done it as the pain is unbearable and I mean so painful it makes me cry.... so be very careful it is not really advisable to do it but sometimes its all you want to do to get some circulation back. Best advise as Zenabb said - hot drink if possible and warm hands up slowly. As long as you can pick up a kettle etc with your dead fingers!!!!

Best thing though is to try and not let them get to cold by using hand warmers etc. I know its very hard to keep them warm.

[Ladyscar]

Force heating is more pain than gain. I agree with Zainab. hot coffee with brandy, Tia Maria is probably the best option. Plus you can warm your hands up whilst you are waiting for your drink to cool down. The other more fast options are eating wasabi peanuts, not peas or popcorn with chili powder on it. Another tip, when I know that it is going to be cold. I let the plate washing mount up a little as, just by washing them in little bursts warms yours hands up quickly and pain free and the washing gets done.

[glyn]

i find that as soon as i notice my finger tips looseing colour i put them under my arm pits. body heats best .

[Yorky]

I often use WARM water, but you have to careful as you are probably less sensitive to temperatures.

[rosie_girl]

I personally would not put my hands in hot water, as like yorky said, you can be less sensitive. Even if i'm not having an attack I cant tell the temp of water (makes getting in the bath fun !) Always keep gloves with you even if the weather looks ok, it can be so deceiving & I find once an attack has started its difficult to stop.

[angelah]

hello there thanks for all your messages. just to update this message, i ve seen my doctor since writing this message, as i was being tested for secondary raynauds. these tests were negative so i just have primary raynauds (only i say! as exreme as it is, i m pleased that there is nt any other illness to complicate things.) i have been perscribed nifedipine, so hopefully that may help as today i set it off slicing a pineapple!!! but i thought i would mention in case anyone is unaware that he did tell me that on no account to force back circulation as it can have adverse effects causing tissue damage. As for the nifedipine i would be interested to hear anyone elses opinion on this drug, mine came with no instruction leaflet and had i not checked online a i wouldnt have known that i now cannot eat grapefruit!!! but hey ho small price to pay for a normal life ... thanks again everyone

[carrickfergus]

My daughter was taking nifedpine three times a day for 18 months and didnt help at all she just had the side effects so consultant has stopped the tablets but there is nothing else on market to take we were told. My daughter uses hand warmers special gloves and socks and good shoes

[ceegee]

i tend to place my hands in luke warm water, this seems to help get the circulation started but can be painful if the water is too warm because the blood flows quicker than the small capilary arteries can open