Have I Raynaud's?

 Hello again Trevor,

 My own problem has been diagnosed as 'close to Raynauds'!  It is baffling all the Doctors and Medics I have come into contact with!  No-one is really sure it IS Reynauds, but, if it isn't, it's very like it, i.e. worse in the cold, not quite so bad in the warmth.

 I have had X-rays, Ultrasounds, pokes here and there, all kinds of 'shapes' of insoles for my footwear...so frustrating!  I eventually found a very good nurse who just LISTENED to me rather than looking at text books....I'm not in there, and it sounds as though you aren't either!

 I have been told that my circulation to my toes has been cut off because the bones in my feet have collapsed, therefore, no circulation getting to my toes at all....no wonder it's worse in the cold!!

 Mine started about 18 years ago, both feet at the same time, my toes would cramp really bad, I knew it wasn't 'ordinary' cramp, if you see what I mean?   It just wouldn't stop....I had to sleep for 6 months in front of an open fire, just to keep my toes from cramping, even then, they still did, it has been unbearable to for, but, over the years, I have learnt to live with it, not good I know, but, no choice I'm afraid.  Maybe you have something similar?    It is my feet which are the worst affected, my hands do cramp too, but, nowhere near as much as my feet...I could even see the arch of my foot moving upwards, as if being pulled my an unseen rope or something!  My husband witenessed that too...it wasn't my imagination.

 This is a horrible thing to have to live with, but, I have found strength in people on here, we all seem to be of likeminds, we carry on and when we have to stop, then we stop, but, no until we have to!!   

Yes, it is worse in the cold, the summer is still not good, but, I do find it easier on my poor feet, I have put about 6 stone on too, not good, with Osteoarthritis in most of my joints, it doesn't help with the moving around!

 But as I say, we plod on...

 I do hope you can find some sort of relief, if you could find these Little Hotties, I'm sure you would find them comforting to you, they are by far the best thing I have found, and they work....it means the difference of me getting out in the cold or not.

 I think you'll find them on the internet...maybe Amazon?  Give it a go, and let us know how you're getting on.

Bye for now,

 Good wishes to you. 

 Remember, you are not alone on this site EVER!

 Chrissie 

Welcome to the forum trevor. I've had Raynauds since I was about 13 years old, I'm now 61. I suffered chilblains on my feet every winter. In August I developed a chilblain on one of my toes so I spoke to my GP about it. I had blood tests and I was prescribed Nifedipine. It's been a god send as this is the first winter without chilblains. There's lots of advice on this forum about Raynauds. I was surprised as to just how common it actually is.

I tried Hothands Foot Warmers today. I opend the plastic packet peeled off white strips and stuck them to the sole of my socks. They didnt produce any heat. Where did I go wrong?

My wife bought themj for me for Xmas and probably geot them early Dec with no receipts, so may give some new ones another shot.

Trevor I think it was your question re the little hotties. If it is the same product I use I believe they are air activated meaning it takes awhile to get them to warm up so shake them for a few seconds before plaing it in your shoe....

I just came across this blog - I normally do not participate but as I am researching Reynauds I came across this blog and understand the difficulties dealing with the symptoms. I hope this helps...