Cold water swimming and Raynaud's symptoms.

[Lake121]

Cold Water swimming and Raynauds symptoms - ? I am new here and wondering if it could be detrimental to go cold water swimming when it triggers Raynaud's symptoms? Lots of swimmers get mild symptoms and manage them with protective measures - wondering if anyone else here has experience of cold water swimming and managing Raynaud's?

[Brychni]

Interesting you should ask! I have Raynaud;s and have come to really hate the cold generally over the past few years. My husband is a great advocate of the cold water thing and finishes his showers with a cold blast. He asked the same thing the other day when we went up to our local river swimming area. He thinks maybe it would be therapeutic and stimulate the circualtion rather tha causing it to stop as with a Raynaud's attack. Even though I would find it too uncomfortable to try, I think he may be right because I had to wade through the river to get to our picnic spot and the pain was unimaginable and I was almost in tears and almost had to turn back but going forward was the same distance!! Once I was out I was very surprised that my toes didn't go cold and they seemed unharmed. With me it seems to be subtle temperature changes and Aldi supermarket - every time!!

[Lake121 in reply to Brychni]

Yes it seems for some people with Raynaud's it actually improves with a cold water swim - great discovery for you - thanks reply All Best!

[2islandboy]

My guess is: no problem with cold water swimming and Raynaud's. It's really all about blood circulation. Just ask any Northern-European person about extreme hot and cold for body health!

I have actually fallen through the ice at least a dozen times and then had to walk a mile or so on numb feet to get to a heated building. Some pain at first, but that's for my whole legs, then it all goes numb. Pain is not the problem, I'm usually too scared with the fall through the ice and getting out, to worry about the few minutes of pain. In a warm building, with dry clothes, after a SLOW CAREFUL warm-up, my feet and toes return to Raynaud's "normal". Careful not to rub "black" toes too hard. I find that it's long-term cold that gives my feet and hands the nasty Raynaud's symptoms. Short-term intense cold is only painful, as it is for anyone, but has no effect on my Reynaud's. Day to day, I have a heating pad under my desk for my feet and hand gloves with the fingertips cut off for typing. If I am out in severe cold, or working on the ice I use rechargeable battery-operated electric heated socks. Not expensive on Ebay. I declined taking meds offered by my doctor.

[Lake121 in reply to 2islandboy]

Thank you

[elprof57]

Cold water swimming and Raynaud's ( at least secondary Raynaud's) are absolutely incompatible no matter what the temperature is. Raynaud's affects non just our own hands but our whole body. I get Raynaud's just touching the laundry that l put out. If l go swimming it is in mid summer with water temp. of at least 20 deg. C. Keep well.

[Lake121 in reply to elprof57]

Thank you

[positivedaybyday]

Hi

I would say if it's something you enjoy why not try!

These illnesses take so much away from us we have to try & hold on to some part of normality.

It may suprise you & you feel a benefit from a cold swim.

If you find the experience too much at least you have tried & may get some consolation from this.

Good luck xxx