I am 24 and I live in Kentucky. I was diagnosed with Raynaud's when I was 16, and was told that there was nothing that I could do but live with it and try to stay warm. What people didn't understand is that it could be nearly 100 degrees F. outside and my fingers and toes would still freeze. It is the most miserable feeling in the world to be cold and in pain all the time and there is nothing you can do about it but sit and wait for it to go away. Luckily, when I got married in September, my insurance changed and I had to find a new doctor. How lucky was it that the provider I chose had written a thesis in college about Raynaud's phenomenon! She prescribed "Nifedipine" for me and I rarely have any problems anymore. The only side effects that I have found is that my heart races for a few moments after it kicks in and sometimes I get leg cramps. I still have symptoms, but only a few times a week compared to the 10 times a day before I started the medication. My life has almost done a complete 180!
I was diagnosed with Secondary Raynaud's Phenomenon three months ago and am still trying all sorts of products to relieve the outbreaks. I have severe outbreaks and can have up to 10 outbreaks a day. Wind, moderate temps, and A/C all contribute to the outbreaks. The greatest relief for me has been a pair of motorcycle gloves I purchased at the BMW motorcycle store. They are about $200 but well worth it. Their meant for motorcycle riders in colder temps. They plug into the car adapter and warm up the hands in about one minute. I haven't found a pair of gloves yet for outside the car, but my car is my office so it's been a tremendous help.
Published: July 23
I am a 39 y/o male and was told 4 years ago I have Raynaud's. In winter my toes turn white and blister like ingrown toenails. When the blood starts to flow through the toes again, my toes feel like they are on fire and very painful until they are normal again. I wear 2 or 3 pairs of socks and wooly shoes at home. If anyone has this and has to work outside like me, I brought some waterproof socks called sealskins and put them over 2 pairs of woolly socks and no matter how hard it rains my feet stay dry and warm.
I also take medication over winter which helps a bit but wearing lots of clothing to stop the cold hitting the area is the answer and once I knew what I had, it was easier for me to protect myself and limit the pain.
Published: July 16
I am a 37 year old female and was diagnosed with Raynaud's syndrome about 4 years ago. In cold weather, my toes and fingers turn completely white and are extremely painful. It feels like pins and needles and severe aching. I can't even walk until the blood returns to my toes. No one understands how intense the pain actually is. Lately I have been having attacks in the air conditioner. I have also been diagnosed with a connective tissue autoimmune disease, which Raynaud's can be a symptom of.
Published: July 11
I found out in the last couple of years that Raynaud's phenomenon has affected my hands and fingers. I play golf, and on mornings when it's under 50 degrees, the blood circulation in my fingers almost stops completely. I will go four or five holes before the blood flow starts again, which is followed by a stinging sensation in the fingers lasting 15 to 20 minutes.
Published: July 10
This disease is absolutely awful and depressing. I suffer all day. The only time I have relief is minutes after waking up and minutes after lying down and being in a hot bath. The rest of the day I am trapped inside a body that can't regulate itself. I am constantly irritable. It starts out physiologically with capillary constriction and then turns into mental distress where my extremities look like a walking road map not to mention the discomfort. I can't stand the fact that there is no treatment. I have tried several vasodilators but they don't work. I have tried warm clothing but as all of you know as soon as the capillaries open up you become irritably hot and the clothes must come off. I can't spend my life lying down, in a hot bath and taking clothes on and off.
Published: July 08
I was diagnosed with Raynaud's about 3 years ago. I dread going outside anymore...even in the spring and autumn...as the slightest breeze sends me into cold spasms. Living in New Zealand has been difficult in the winter as heating is extremely expensive. When I was diagnosed with Raynaud's, I also had bruise-like markings on my upper leg. The doctor who diagnosed me said it was dry skin. A few months later, the bruises became darker, hard and spread. Turns out I have a disease called morphea that affects 1 in 100,000 people. Nobody is sure what causes it but say they see it in patients who have Raynaud's.
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I am 24 and I live in Kentucky. I was diagnosed with Raynaud's when I was 16, and was told that there was nothing that I could do but live with it and try to stay warm. What people didn't understand is that it could be nearly 100 degrees F. outside and my fingers and toes would still freeze. It is the most miserable feeling in the world to be cold and in pain all the time and there is nothing you can do about it but sit and wait for it to go away. Luckily, when I got married in September, my insurance changed and I had to find a new doctor. How lucky was it that the provider I chose had written a thesis in college about Raynaud's phenomenon! She prescribed "Nifedipine" for me and I rarely have any problems anymore. The only side effects that I have found is that my heart races for a few moments after it kicks in and sometimes I get leg cramps. I still have symptoms, but only a few times a week compared to the 10 times a day before I started the medication. My life has almost done a complete 180!
Related Reading: Raynaud's phenomenon | Nifedipine