Raynaud's in thumbs?

[sarahlou1977]

Hi I started getting white fingers last year and went to the gp who diagnosed Raynaud's. Was only in there two mins and no further tests offered. When my hands have got really cold this last winter it has spspread to a couple of fingers and also one of my thumbs is it normal in thumbs ?

[Monika]

Hi sarahlou1977, sorry to hear about your Raynauds diagnosis but, yes, it is possible to have white thumbs as this is a circulatory problem and can effect all extremities. I have it in all my fingers plus get white toes as well. Keep warm and let's hope the warm weather arrives soon. Thinking of you and sending lots of healing thoughts xxx

[ettie7 in reply to Monika]

Circulation I had checked. It is perfect

[Typicalmommy]

Hi I was told I had raynaurds by doctor but I knew I had something more so changed doctors who by luck had seen scleroderma as well doesn't hurt to get a second opinion if your not happy just to put your mind at rest good luck x

[rjericks]

R's affects  extremities...I get swelling, nodules, and chilblains, and sometimes ulcers in all fingers and toes...nothing with R's is "normal!

[sarahlou1977]

thank you everyone I feel more reassured now - I was diagnosed when I was 38 which I understand is older than the norm so I started looking into it myself as the doctor said nothing at all really - some of what I read said that the thumbs are not normally effected so glad to see I am not the only one. Also good to hear that it is normal to have an attack indoors

 just by touching something cold - yesterday was a bad day as just seemed to be happening all the time as the office at work was quite chilled so was stressing me out a bit. Really helps knowing that people are experiencing the same and it is normal for Raynauds x

[Dargomom]

I was 60 years old when my fingers and thumbs turned blue, then white, the first time.  I was sitting in my living room watching TV.  When it continued to happen, I went to see my GP.  I brought photos of my blue hands, but it wasn't necessary because my fingers turned blue from the air conditioning in her office.  Raynaud's was diagnosed and I was referred to a Rheumatologist.  I got no advice or medication from the Rheumatologist and was misdiagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis (my RA factor is borderline).   To make a long story short, I finally got a diagnosis of CREST ( limited scleroderma) from a Dermatologist I saw for something else.  None of the medications that I've been put on have done anything for the Raynaud's.  You just have to keep your hands warm.  I keep a pair of knit gloves in my purse always.  They are as close to flesh color as I could find - I wear them in restaurants, the supermarket, even when I reach into my own refrigerator or freezer.  I also keep disposable hand warmers with me all the time (these are the things that hunters use ( they last for about 7 hours).  I keep a paraffin bath on in my bathroom 24/7 and dip my hands in it when I am having trouble getting my hands back to normal color.  The paraffin works better than hot water - seems to be a deeper heat, rather than a surface warmth.

I've learned to not be concerned by people looking at me funny because I am wearing gloves.  I live in Arizona and it looks odd but who cares?  If asked, I just say that I have a circulation problem and need to keep my hands warm.

Good luck to you.

[ettie7]

Yes,mine do too

[ettie7]

Amen