Raynauds - any advice please

Jeryth

I've just read the info regarding this board, and how it is really supposed to be about moneysaving with regard to Health issues; and NOT for discussion of health conditions.
I'm sorry for not really sticking to the spirit of the purpose of the board, by asking for advice for myself.

Fran

jeryth wrote:

I've just read the info regarding this board, and how it is really supposed to be about moneysaving with regard to Health issues; and NOT for discussion of health conditions.
I'm sorry for not really sticking to the spirit of the purpose of the board, by asking for advice for myself.

Hi jeryth,

Yes, you are right! People go off track a lot of the time (human nature!), so no need to apologise. You've drawn attention to the nature of this thread though, so I'm moving it to the Health Board as people who read that might be interested too.

Ted_Hutchinson

Fran wrote:

Hi jeryth,

Yes, you are right! People go off track a lot of the time (human nature!), so no need to apologise. You've drawn attention to the nature of this thread though, so I'm moving it to the Health Board as people who read that might be interested too.

That might not work as the Thought police are trying to keep the health forum focussed on the moneysaving aspects of health issues rather than a general discussion of the symptoms and possible treatments.

Galtizz

OK, here is a money saving tip related to keeping hands warm (sort of )

I used to work in a cold shop and had to use a till. I suffered with my hands, they used to go numb and I would get pins and needles until they had fully warmed up - they were very painful.
Instead of buying expensive specialist gloves buy some tight fitting thermal gloves (2 pairs if necessary) and just chop the very top part of the finger off the finger you use to press the till with I cut about 1cm off the thumb and forefinger and left all the other fingers intact (the finger of the glove that is). . I also had a pair of big mittens for when I wasn't using the till. When you take mittens off you are less likely to pull the gloves off at the same time.
I still had problems with the fingers that where exposed but it wasn't as bad. Another money saving tips is to search charity shops for the thermal gloves. I got some old fashioned Damart ones for a couple of quid.

dbs

Has anyone tried warming creams for the hands, are they any good?which are the best?

Nile

Ginko Biloba improves blood flow and helps Raynaud's sufferers. Ginkyo is £9.95 for 30 tablets, available from health stores, pharmacies and supermarkets.

Avoid caffeine, nicotine and excessive alcohol as these cause the blood vessels to contract. Eating foods rich in Vitamin C will help because they're important for healthy blood vessels.

I've seen special woollen gloves on sale in Fishing/Angling shops. The gloves are fingerless but with a fold over mitten which can be opened when operating the till. Ask your company to reimburse you for any warm clothing you purchase.

Go to your local library to get details of the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992.

Regulation 7 states, Ventilation (31)

Workers should not be subject to uncomfortable draughts etc. Workstations should be re-sited or screened if necessary.

Temperature in indoor workplaces.

(1) During working hours, the temperature in all workplaces inside buildings shall be reasonable.

(3) A sufficient number of thermometers shall be provided to enable persons at work to determine the temperature in any workplace inside a building.

(43) The temperature in workrooms should normally be at least 16 degrees Celcius unless much of the work involves severe physical effort in which case the temperature should be at least 13 degrees Celcius.


If your company is unsympathetic, get a copy of the document and show it to them. I was in a similar position at work, in a draughty warehouse type environment. We were provided with body warmers, fleece jackets, woolly hats, woolly gloves.......and the company improved the heating to a comfortable level. Do not suffer in silence.

Hope this is useful.

JayS_3

Galtizz wrote:

OK, here is a money saving tip related to keeping hands warm (sort of )

I used to work in a cold shop and had to use a till. I suffered with my hands, they used to go numb and I would get pins and needles until they had fully warmed up - they were very painful.
Instead of buying expensive specialist gloves buy some tight fitting thermal gloves (2 pairs if necessary) and just chop the very top part of the finger off the finger you use to press the till with I cut about 1cm off the thumb and forefinger and left all the other fingers intact (the finger of the glove that is). . I also had a pair of big mittens for when I wasn't using the till. When you take mittens off you are less likely to pull the gloves off at the same time.
I still had problems with the fingers that where exposed but it wasn't as bad. Another money saving tips is to search charity shops for the thermal gloves. I got some old fashioned Damart ones for a couple of quid.

Please check with your GP if you have Reynard's syndrome before you try 'tight fitting thermal gloves'. Reynards is a circulatory problem, by restricting your blood vessels further (which you would do in tight fitting gloves, even with the fingers cut off) you could end up with further complications, including gangrene. Sorry, not trying to frighten anyone here, but this is very important.

Best wishes

Jay.

JayS_3

jeryth wrote:

(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.

Your problem here is similar to the cause of DVT on long flights or coach trips. The cold and numbness is because your blood circulatory system has effectively stopped in your legs. When you walk, the blood is circulated from your feet back to your heart and lungs, the action of walking works like a pump to circulate the blood; therefore, if you keep still for too long at the computer, on a car journey, coach trip, flight etc this pump is not activated.

You should plan to have a break every half hour to walk around until your circulation has got going again, thereby reducing your cold and risk of DVT.

Best wishes

Jay

Jeryth

D'you know, I'd never though of that, and my being overweight (slightly!) won't help either, I guess. My birth father had a DVT last year; I will be careful. Thanks.

JayS_3

Found this http://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk/en.asp?TopicID=383&AreaID=2598&LinkID=2004
on NHS Direct, should answer any questions you have and point you in the right direction for treatment.

Best wishes

Jay