Raynauds - any advice please

bernardh_2

Where I work,the temperature rarely reaches 60f.My hands/fingers are blue and painful.Yesterday,the doc diagnosed Raynauds and told me to wear 2 pairs of gloves to prevent the pain.
At work,as a sales asst in a garage,I use heat-sensitive tills which I am sure will not work with gloves,so I doubt if I can continue with that post.
I will ask to see my manager to see if anything can be done,but does the company have to find me an alternate post?
Raising the temp to 16c (min I think) would not solve the glove problem.
Please move to another category if I have posted in the wrong place.
Thanks.

[Deleted User]

I sympathise with your condition as i too suffer and its horrible. I'm sorry i can't suggest anything right now except have you been to https://www.raynauds.co.uk for some extra useful tips and advice. I saw it in a magazine the other day but haven't been there yet. Do your feet suffer as well, all my extremities do. Best wishes.

[Deleted User]

Sorry this is the addess http://www.raynauds.org.uk/flash_content.html, if you google raynauds there is a lot of information. There might be somethere there to help with your job situation.

Ted_Hutchinson

RAYNAULDS and Omega 3 it takes 6 to 12 weeks to reach maximum effect and the dose was nearly 4 g of EPA which would mean about 12 high strength capsules or 3 teaspoons of the Omega Juice below.

The amounts of EPA in the fish oil capsules used would be more easily consumed by using the high EPA OMEGA JUICE from ZIPVIT

EPA but not DHA, reduces platelet activation, an early step in platelet aggregation, so making the blood thinner and more easily pumped through restricted capillaries.

Also found this The most important instruction to the patient is abstinence from any smoking, offending drugs should be discontinued, and abrupt changes in temperature.

In researching the use of Omega3's for other reasons I have found that L'carnitine is fundamental to it's metabolism and transport through the body. It is as effective as Viagra in enabling blood to flow to the extremities and so you may find it worth experimenting with. Again Zipvit are the cheapest suppliers I have found and you can be assured that both Omega and L'carnitine are totally safe and will only improve the efficiency of any other medication you may be prescribed.

bernardh_2

Thanks bailey and ted. I also have severe heart failure (the joys of alcoholism) so i already take drugs to widen my capilliaries,lower BP etc.
Just spoke to my manager who has passed this up to personnel.

Ted_Hutchinson

Both the Omega and Carnitine will therefore be even more beneficial.
See Effects of dietary fat intake in sudden death: reduction of death with omega-3 fatty acids.

Substantiation of the use of L-carnitine for the treatment of alcoholism

mussgo

Hi

I have found the best thing is being prepared. I wear layer upon layer, starting with thermals! I wear gloves whilst outside and fingerless gloves whilst inside....perhaps that would help with the tills. I also keep extra fleeces at work should I get cold (well before anyone else feels it!!).

However the real answer is to live and work in warmth, so if Spain is not a reality, see if the temperature can get raised or work in a warmer room.

Its no fun being cold. Feet are far worse than hands, and harder to heat up again!! (IMHO)

take care and keep warm

Jeryth

(Borderline Reynauds person here) I sympathise, and hope your personnel dept can sort something out. At least they sound as if they want to help?

I was advised to keep my wrists covered/warm to provide warmer blood supply to hands and fingers.

May I ask a question for myself? I have always had bad circulation, and used to be prone to chillblains in winter when I was a child. My main problems now are that my fingers (and feet too sometimes) get so cold they go completely numb. It happens when I spend too long on't'internet, or driving (even in gloves), for example. I don't feel the cold, and don't notice the numbness until I start moving again and realize that my fingertips have no feeling, or my heels feel as if they aren't there. Any ideas would be most helpful, as I have just remembered it's motorcycling season again soon, and that is another bad situation.

mussgo

(Borderline Reynauds person here) I sympathise, and hope your personnel dept can sort something out. At least they sound as if they want to help?

I was advised to keep my wrists covered/warm to provide warmer blood supply to hands and fingers.

May I ask a question for myself? I have always had bad circulation, and used to be prone to chillblains in winter when I was a child. My main problems now are that my fingers (and feet too sometimes) get so cold they go completely numb. It happens when I spend too long on't'internet, or driving (even in gloves), for example. I don't feel the cold, and don't notice the numbness until I start moving again and realize that my fingertips have no feeling, or my heels feel as if they aren't there. Any ideas would be most helpful, as I have just remembered it's motorcycling season again soon, and that is another bad situation.


Hi, I have had frostbite, so am seasoned sufferer! My advice is ..... Be prepared. Try not to get in situations that will lead you to be cold.
Try all the herbal stuff the is suggested...(great if it works for you). If it gets bad see the doctor, try the tablets.
For me prevention is the key....I am layered . Also see when you are vulnerable..... motorcycling..ok wear extra layers, my cashmere vest is WONDERFUL !!! Understand if your hands are extended for that they will get cold, easier at the computer ... go and get a hot cuppa!! Not so sure about driving...is the car warm enough, wear a bonnet??? What ever it takes, do it!
I have found 'listeneing' to my body gives me greater control.
eg..I have to race through the chilll section in supermarkets as I soon start to shiver! I have to put milk into the basket as soon as possible or my fingers will go white! nothing beats a bath for getting warm if you get too cold.

Thats my hap'ence.... perhaps others have different ideas
M

bernardh_2

Thaks for all replies. Personnel are to provide gloves and see if the heat-sensitive touch screens will work.If not,think again.Till work is the major part of my job.
Ted - very interesting about the natural remedies.I was taught in rehab not to take anything that was not prescribed (i.e no self-medication) so I`ll check with my doc next month.
I will also investigate heated grips for the motorbike - if my old MZ can produce enough power to run them.Anyone got experience of these?

Jeryth

Yes, my fella has heated grips on his bike. Not because he suffers with the cold (he is actually a warm person), but because he likes to use his bike on colder days. A recent test (might have been in Ride magazine) showed that being cold is more dangerous to a rider's reactions than being tired or even drunk. I'm not sure what brand he uses, but Oxford are a recognized manufacturer, and the heated grips are surprisingly affordable. HTH