back from GP re hands

nearlybionic

Hi
I had my appointment this evening with the GP to discuss the pain, acheing, loss of grip and poor circulation in my hands.
For months now I have had times when my fingers can go pure white, numb, etc... I have tried to keep them warm but it doesn`t always help. Also I have had joint pain in my hands / fingers which has affected my strength in my hands (grip).
My GP has diagnosed Raynauds, as I suspected, and probable OA. I have to see her again when I have a flare as they weren`t too bad today. (I had to wait over a week for the appointment!)
Anyone got experience of Raynauds? Any tips?
NB

skezier

Hi Nearly,

Oh flower it classic for raynaud's that.... I have it as a secondary to the other one and I don't know how much the advise I have is connected to the main one and how much to the raynaud's but....

Try and stay warm and even inside you might find fingerless gloves help a bit.

I don';t generate my own heat at all so for me a warm environment is the only thing that keeps the circulation going round.

Thermal for me helps, layers as well and just now a lab as a back warmer... now she is warm

There are tablets to help both mine. How much they cross over I don't know but I do know that the iloprost infusions are actual hell to have but have a very good result. You know i have mine 4 monthly but for raynaud they often only need it once a year.

Iloprost comes in tablets too.... might be worth asking cus it honestly does get the circulation vessels wider.

Used to have some pink tablets and they helped but can't remember their name.

Deep heat or singular warms up your hands and feet....

Thermal lined shoes and really just layers.

Rubbing your hand and flexing the fingers can help get the blood to go back in but if I remember rightly the raynaud's very sensitive to the cold so really a warm environment is so important.

I find the raynaud's isn't as bad as the main one but it still is a case of staying warm though even then your hands and feet can go whiter with out some form of tablet or infusion help.

Leaving you a ((((( ))))) and a hope that your ok in your self? Cris xx

barbara12

HI NB
Sorry you have something else to add to your list, Cris has given you lots of advice, so I will just send you some hugs (((()))) .
Love
Barbara xx

tiggernut

Hi NB,
Yes I was diagnosed with Raynauld's about 25 years ago.
It's a nighmare in winter trying to keep my hands and feet warm as I have very bad deformed fingers gloves are a no no. I wear mittens but obviiusly can't wear them when driving. I keep one of those gel hand warmers in the car because I've had occasion when I've been shopping and got back to the car my hands have been so cold I haven't been able to turn the ignition on!! I used to have electric gloves and socks which were great but a bit bulky and you had to wear the battery pack round your waste and thread the wires down your trousers and up you sleeves. Having said that they were good and I'm sure in the past 20 years they have come up with a smaller battery pack.
Over the years because of my RA my grip isn't very good and it's practically non existant when my hands are cold. I have one of those wheat bags which I use to warm my hands when I'm at home.
You can buy some hand warmers they look like a tea bag and you shake it and it warms up and lasts for a few hours but they are quite expensive and unless you are going to be out and about for a few hours it's a bit of a waste.
Anyway feel free to ask any questions and I'll try and help.
Take care,
Anita.

nearlybionic

Hi Cris, Barbara, and Anita,
Thanks for your replies, and good advice. It is good to get advice from people in the know!
I have lots of different gloves and know what you mean about struggling with thold and dead loooking!e ignition when hands are really cold and dead looking! I have bought handwarmers that you can boil to get ready and you `click` them when you need them. I also have some furry boot type slippers with a pocket in the top for a mini wheat bag in each which are really helpful. I will probably invest in some thermal socks and gloves and keep some hand warmers in the car as I drive lots for work .
Thanks again.
NB

julie47

Hi NB

I am sorry that you have something else to contend with.
I offer no advice but do send hugs (((((()))))))
Take care
Juliepf x

jennylynn

Hi nearlybionic

Just wanted to offer some support and hugs! i also have raynaulds, and i can only offer the same advice everyone else has given so i wont repeat it. Do you have an electric blanket? i find this really helpful as my feet get very cold. I also wonder if you have found any extra thermal socks? there is an outdoors store quite close to me that sell socks at a 2.5 tog rating (like a quilt for your feet) i have several pairs of those for winter.

sending you lots of warm thoughts,

Jennyx

dreamdaisy

Oh dear NB, what an absolute ****. On top of all the hip business too. Isn't it strange how these conditions seem to trigger others? It's not applicable to all, I realise that, but there are a fair few on here with Raynauds, Sjogrens, fibro - all conditions that seem to turn up after arthrtitis has arrived. I count myself lucky that at the moment it's only PA with me, but I do wonder if that will last. Ho-hum, que sera sera I suppose! I hope you can find something to help and at least you know your enemy - always a good thing I think! DD

hileena111

Hi NB,
Sorry cant help with that just wanted to send you lots of (((((()))))))

Love
Hileena

denpen

Hi NB
Well they say it never rains but it pours and you must feel that is the right saying just now, its one thing after another for you at the moment, I cant help in any way but just wanted to let you klnow that I am thinging about you.

Denise.x

nearlybionic

Hi and thanks to Julie, Hileena , Jenny,DD and Denise (good to see you by the way xx)
Thankyou for you replies and good advice from those in the know
I am struggling a bit today with the old hands and the hips ! :roll:
This rubbish rainy windy weather really doesn`t help, and I am trying to do a few jobs at home as we are moving house soon. Lots of sorteing to do and my hands won`t grip like they should. I also keep getting sharp pains in my joints which puts me at risk of dropping things!
Roll on summer! (if we get one!)
Take care xx
NB

skezier

Hi Nearly,

Those click ones are really good and if you can line them up with the main arteries they can help the whole limb.... I put mine in the jeans pocket so they get the femoral's and for the hands I use them in the wrists and keep them there with tubi grip.

They also are good for a bit of heat for pain so they go in the waist band either side of the spine.

Got to be a bit careful though cus if they are like mine they can get hot in the jeans... initially. Mine are the biol and click ones and they are so good.

Your right its cold and the wind doesn;t help either eh? leaving you a hot water bottle ( those are good but as with the warmers there is a risk of chilblains ) and a ((( ))) cris xx