Went to my gp as one very cold day My feet went numb and lost all feeling and then when I looked it was white all across toes and heel. They have been doing it a couple of times before but noticed now even more frequently and my hands start to go freezing and painful when even cutting cold food (fruit veg meat). The advice from the gp was keep warm (despite telling them this was when wearing 3 pairs or socks 1 fluffy and thick plus proper regatta walking shoes) and to come back if worsen - that's why I originally went cos they seemed to be more frequent. Said its likely primary raynauds . Literally every day I go outside or take shoes off or I'm sat in house covered in layers over my legs / feet my toes still cold and don't know if this is normal to be happening this often?! Anyone have any advice if I should go back to the gp and be persistent.
Thanks
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LozW86
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I have it worse in my hands and feet, but my hands go white almost instantly even when i take something out of the fridge! My feet feel cold to the touch always. I have been on various medications, some which have no effect and some which had side effects for me. I have had it for over35 years, and noe take nifidipine and have iloprost infusions, but really this only takes the edge off. I still cant chop veg, or take things from the fridge. The best thing i found for my hands, was called hot rox, which you hold in your hands to warm them. It is rechargable and you just turn it on when needed. I keep these in my coat pocket and they really help
Will definitely have a look at them I'll try anything haha. I noticed when I was prepping tea other night as soon as I touched it as it was cold my hands instantly went cold and frozen , really hurt aswell . This is definitely new , feet have been cold and numb before but only in freezing cold couple of times, but probably whole of January and now it's happening every day . No matter what i seem to try to keep warm. I've been wearing plenty of layers socks proper shoes and same! When sat in house I'm literally wearing thickest of socks plus 2 thin pairs plus blanket and my toes still same cold numb and white . Even in 11 degrees! Xxx
Agree with all pinkcat said. I tried nifedipine,but had awful swollen ankles and legs now on losartan and it doesn't seem to work.My husband does all the veg prep and the shopping in the chiller/ freezer section..
Sorry to hear you are suffering. I’m 50 and have had Raynauds since my early teens. I was diagnosed with scleroderma at 31. Apart from the Raynauds are you having any other symptoms that may suggest autoimmune disease? Hopefully not and it is just primary. Either way it is a pain to manage. Keeping your core temperature up by wearing layers and avoiding triggers like drafts and cold environments is the only way to prevent attacks or minimise them. I’m on nifedipine which helps but doesn’t prevent it. I never leave home without a hat, scarf and gloves even in the summer. I live in Scotland so wearing hats and gloves in August isn’t unheard of 😄.
Thank you think it's just frustrating cos it's happening all time . No matter what I do ! I've been wearing layers plus socks 2 or 3 pairs outside , despite this I get home if I've had to go out and take my shoes off and they go cold and numb , sat down on sofa in house with thickest socks plus 2 pairs of thin ones plus blanket over and they still feel numb, mainly on the toes then, for example yesterday aswell i did school run in 11 degrees and by time I got back to car after walking like 200 yards they'd gone number and tingly and white. Depends what symptoms, sometimes I get pain in my feet, i did read something about heartburn ,gp asked but didn't seem to be too helpful! Must get pretty chilly up on Scotland alot! 😊 I can't even keep warm in 11 degrees 🤣🤣xxxx
In addition to the heated hand warmers, you could also get battery operated heated insoles for your feet outdoors. These have been life changing and it means you won't have that horrible, painful transition coming indoors from outside. The ones I use are called Thermup(?). They're pricy, but they are truly exceptional! Team these with warm natural material socks (ie: wool (not cotton!), cashmere or my latest obsession MERINO MINK(!!) :-D) think someone also mentioned heated blanket as well. You'll be toasty in no time. Good luck with your gp appointment.
If you are over 40 and develop Raynauds it is more likely to be secondary. My GP showed me a website about raynauds . He said it was nothing to worry about until I told him to scroll down and he saw the bit about secondary Raynauds.
Hopefully it is nothing but I'd go back if you are still concerned.
Thank you all, I've got back in touch with gp who has now ordered blood tests to make sure it's not secondary , but otherwise said can try nifedipine and to have a think and read about after bloods and I think anything worth a try to make symptoms ease
Hi there This is my problem i too I have tried this but I get too Warm and doesn't make a different to feet and hands 😒😭. So even though my core is warm and keeping warm its not helping xxx
Hi, I was diagnosed with Raynauds about 15 years ago. I was first prescribed some tablets to help blood flow, but side effects were bad headaches. I now rely on hand warmers always in my pockets. Unfortunately I later developed Scleroderma, which can happen if you have had Raynauds. Sorry couldn't be more helpful.
Hi. Just read your post. Your GP needs to refer you to a good rheumatologist who can carry out a nail capillary test to confirm your diagnosis. There are various treatments and 30 odd years there were only certain tablets but now much better ones are prescribed. Many sufferers keep their wrists warm too but nothing has worked for me and I have had to invest in heated gloves and rechargeable heated hand warmers which are great but everything costs. I have a heated body warmer and socks and sheepskin boots. An electric overblanket in bed helps me a lot when the heating goes off! My raynauds has now progressed and is in my tongue and nose, so it’s as everyone says- keep warm with layers. Wear gloves if you go in the freezer too! I have to keep my home in the cold weather, as do a lot of us, at 23c otherwise I suffer peripheral shutdown. You really need a referral asap before things progress; I suffer when hoovering up and can get an attack in 85f in the sea, so there are no set rules if it’s primary! Hope this helps 🥰
hi! I firmly believe that it’s about keeping your core really warm and not so much your hands and feet. Try wearing more layers in the cold weather (and in the chilled aisles of supermarkets!) I know it makes a huge difference to my symptoms.
Hi thank you unfortunately this isn't working I have kept my core warm by doing this and I end up too warm but yet hands and feet don't seem to warm up! Even sat in house wearing thin layers it doesn't work :(. Hoping some blood test come back with something! Gp seems to be been slightly more helpful haha xxx
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. Even in 11 degrees! Xxx
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