UKC

Anyone else suffer from this?

Was out for a run last Friday afternoon and couldn't feel my fingers properly for about 2 bloody hours afterwards. Weather wasn't even that cold.

Anyone found a way to combat it?

In reply to DougG: heated gloves?

In reply to DougG:

Yes, but in my toes not my fingers. Usually just 2 or 3 at a time. No cure as such, but things like ginger, chilli etc help with circulation, and I always wear insulated boots when it's cold.

In reply to DougG: Aye, just sit in the hoose! <dafty>

In reply to ceri:

Hmmm, am usually trying to keep the weight down!

In reply to DougG:

a friend highly recommends gingko biloba.

In reply to callum:


Oor hoose is that cold I could probably get it in there.

In reply to panyan:

Ta, will Google for that.

In reply to DougG:

hi my wife has reynauds, to the extent that she can no longer climb,

you could talk to your doctor about taking nifedapine , its a vasel dialator its quite efective.

if you are realy bad you could get admited to hospital and get given iloprost intranvenously for about a week every autum.

other than that, just keep your hands warm, normal gloves with chemical hand warmer in seems to be the most effective.

if you want any more info, drop me a mail

james

In reply to DougG: sounds loike your house is like ours- i have rab down booties as slippers and my hands go numb when playing computer game., It is 12 degrees upstairs in our house, which may explain this!

In reply to DougG: soft Scottish jessies.. bet you were wearing leggings as well : )*



* I find keeping my bald heid more of a problem on long runs..

In reply to lummox: bald heid warm, that is..

In reply to DougG:

Mate of mine suffered, he reckoned if he kept the back of his head and neck warm he was OK.

In reply to james wardle:

Not really bad, more of an inconvenience. Must have a look at these glove thingies.

I thought they might have involved batteries and the like! Apologies, Ceri.

In reply to DougG:

I am properly, as in medically diagnosed not just in a girly way allergic to the cold. Brings me out in very bad hives. My doctor usefully suggested staying in and keeping warm.

In reply to DougG: thats ok! decathalon do special small chemical warmers designed to go in your gloves. only thing is they are one use, compared to some you can get which you can recharge in a pan of hot water, but they are a bit big to put in your glove unless you have big hands (or big gloves)

In reply to lummox:

Aye, me too. I reckon I'm going to have a stroke one of these mornings standing at Insch waiting on the train.

There isnae really a sensible sort of hat you can wear along with a business suit and dark woolen overcoat, is there?

In reply to moomin:

That must be a bit of a nuisance. Still, at least you're in Kent. Right end of the country.

In reply to DougG: I have it.

My fingers turn white from the second knuckle.

I just accept it now. Wear gloves whenever I run but the dog likes to chew the ends of the glove fingers so I have a constant reminder of her when I am out.

It can be quite bad, if I'm on my own I have to keep an eye on things as I'm unable to fasten a jacket, undo a rukcsak, turn a car key etc when its bad. So on my own I could be in trouble.

In reply to DougG: Sod what it looks like Doug! When you are as hirsute as I am then ANY insulation is a good thing. Mind you I can just picture you in an Indiana Jones type hat!

In reply to callum:

There was a bloke used to get on the train with a deer stalker type thing.

I'd rather just suffer the cold.

In reply to DougG:


http://www.simplyislam.com/iteminfo.asp?item=52046

Afghan pakol. You can wear it at a jaunty angle.
It`d be quite distictive on a red haired Scot..

In reply to DougG: Its no worth it mate. Mind you in London it would need to be something amazing before people gave you a second look; some of the sights down here!
<strides forth in black woolly hat>

In reply to DougG:


Surely a vintage leather cap, driving goggles, and white scarf is what you are looking for?

In reply to lummox:

I'd need to buy pyjamas to go with that. What is it, a shalwar kameez they call it?

In reply to DougG:

I tend to get it worse in summer if any thing.

The best only way I have found to prevent is to ensure my core temperature stays warm. Always carry an extra top or wind proof and a hat.

If I know I'm off to end up in the shade or on a windy stance I put them on.

Some time though my fingers have gone white though befor I can put anything on, especially mid pitch, once they have warmed up again I don't have a problem for the rest of the day.

In reply to johnsdowens:

I'm beginning to regret mentioning the hat thing...

In reply to Alphin:

Problem is, I tend to "run hot" as it is, so any attempt to keep the core temperature warmer is likely to lead to even more dehydration than I suffer already.

In reply to DougG:


But more sensibly, a trilby would look grand, I'm sure.

In reply to johnsdowens:

I'd look like Arthur bloody Daley.

In reply to DougG: shalwar kameez are very comfy- they wouldn`t look that good with a tie though..

In reply to DougG: I find full body cover, even when very cold (below freezing) I'll ony have one thermal layer, no wind shell, but that will include a balaclava and gloves.

In reply to DougG:

Have you considered a toupee? I'm sure you could get a nice polartec balaclava cunningly disguised as beard and toupee?

In reply to IainRUK:

I had a hat and wee thin gloves on Iain, I'm like you I don't wear very much otherwise. I just get too hot if I do.

In reply to JimR:


Funny you should say that, but no I haven't.

In reply to DougG:

If you wore a burqa type thing then not only would you be warm and toasty, but nobody would be able to recognise you and ridicule you.

In reply to johnsdowens:

I'd get beaten up on the way home though, by people sitting drinking outside The Station Hotel.

Yes, even in January.

In reply to DougG:

What, they'd beat up a wifey? You could always wear your rucksack underneath to keep them at a distance...

In reply to johnsdowens:

I meant by the women!

In reply to DougG:

Do you mean you get a big beamer & sweat like a very sweaty thing? Just wondering, like...

Anyway, Sealskinz waterproof gloves are meant to be the business for Reynaud's sufferers. Although, I'm really trying hard not to think what they'd be like after a run if you are very sweaty, but I am getting visions of having to empy them out - yeuch!!!
Both of the people that I know that suffer with Reynaud's say that it's not as bad if they've been eating lots of root ginger & both now take hot water with lumps of ginger in their flask on the hill.

Oh & hat - I could see you working this: http://tinyurl.com/yb3u56

In reply to heather monkey:


Don't sweat at all for the first 10 minutes, then it's like opening a tap.


Something like that!


Ginger it is then. (I take it drinking a bottle ay ginger isnae the same then?)


Ha-ha bloody ha.

In reply to DougG:

No help I'm afraid, just anecdotal, but apparently Tom Patey had it!

In reply to TomjwLast:

Obviously something that you only get if you're a right hard man then.

In reply to DougG: Still think Heather Monkeys idea shows true sartorial elegance - jist no on you Doug!

So at future meets you'll be the one swanning about in an Afghan hat, wearing sealskinz wi' a bottle of ginger in your pocket (or will you just be pleased to see me?). Rightio!

In reply to DougG: a friend has had no problems at all since she started taking medication for high blood pressure - one drug in particular has this helpful side effect. I can find out which one if this is of any interest

In reply to DougG:

Russian hat should do you, and not look daft either.

If the weather is crap, would you rather look a bit odd, and the other people jealous or suffer and get ill/

http://www.whipperleys.co.uk/acatalog/mens_hats.html

In reply to DougG: have you tried lightweight full body windproof cover eg pertex along with warm hat and gloves? Uneven cooling of bits of the body eg due to breeze can really set it off in some people IME even though hands are in warm gloves

Also have a look at raynauds.org.uk (note it is spelled with an initial A!); mayoclinic.com is also a good source for most health info. I wouldn't recommend drugs or other unproven systemic treatments unless it's really bad - and if it is then you should see your GP to consider a couple of blood tests

HTH Paul

In reply to DougG:

Have you thought about typing less on UKC?

In reply to Norrie Muir:


Tried that one Norrie, cannae do it.

In reply to Paul Atkinson and others:

Cheers all, plenty to think about there.

In reply to DougG:


Ooh, that's good to hear, as I get it too. Started in the last few years. Whole fingers go completely white and numb. Seems to happen most when swimming in the sea in the UK.

Knackered back is currently keeping me off the rock so cannot say if it effects my climbing. Yet.

One thing the doc did say is that it is always worse if you smoke.

In reply to DougG:
both my dad and I get that: it's hereditary. I've even experienced it in a heat wave! We both find it's less likely to happen if we keep relaxed mentally and physically; regular exercise and good core temperature also seem to help.

In reply to DougG: Have you been to the docs for it. There's many reasons for it starting and in some cases they just don't know. I seem to be permanently wearing gloves at the moment. It seems at it's worst when I'm cooling down after running, so I've very aware of trying to keep warm then. At least mine isn't painful when they start going pink again, it's just bloomin annoying having numb fingers!

In reply to DougG: DougG:yep know loads of people to have it to dif degrees and also get it mildly myself.

is de-genarative so try not to get cold. always wear proper protective clothing ie gloves, thick socks etc

bf has been to docs and got some tablets for it for when hes doing winter climbing. you have to start taking them a few days before hand though and obviously you dont really want to depend on them too much. he says tehy do help ( not cure )

search this site.
loads of threads on it (sorry i havent read this thread as too busy if im repeating anything already said )

In reply to Anita:

That's exactly when I get it. Usually OK at the time.
Not been to the docs - yet.

In reply to Adders:
Cheers for that.

In reply to DougG: Have you had an x-ray to check you've not got an extra rib in the base of your neck? Seriously! One of the causes is thought to be that it can press on the blood supply to the fingers (esp after activity) meaning they go white..

In reply to DougG:
I take vitamin E, 400 or 500 units a day. You should try it, probably take a few weeks before it helps.

In reply to Anita:


Nope!!

In reply to Colin Moody:

Might consider that as well, cheers.

In reply to Anita:
that's interesting: I've not had nearly so much trouble since I had physio to correct the compression on my ulna nerve, that was originating in the neck.

In reply to DougG:

She's not joking, I had one to eliminate that as a cause of a problem I had.

In reply to JimR:

I believe you both!

In reply to DougG: As a kid I used to suffer it loads; my fingers and occasionally my whole hands would go white or sometimes purple. I've found over the last few years I've got it a lot less and the only things I can see that may have caused this change is a vast increase in the amount of fruit and veg I eat (I can't recall having suffered it at all since I've become vegetarian) and exercised a lot more.

Of course if you already eat well and exercise a lot this doesn't really help, but this seemed to work for me.

In reply to Liam M:

Never had anything worse than fingers going white and numb.

Reckon I already eat fairly well, and get a reasonable amount of exercise these days so it can't be that!

In reply to DougG:

I also find that keeping core temperature correct is vital, but cool the core when hot, rather than, as many other do, cool by rolling sleeves up.

I find it's better to keep arms and legs warm (especially forearms and ankles). I understand that it's a constriction of the small arteries in the foream and wrist area that cause the problem. I can get it watching TV.

In reply to captain paranoia:

Oh yes, and nibbling food, and staying hydrated help, too.

In reply to DougG:

BTW, Doug, have you always had it, or has it developed relatively recently? If the latter, go see the quack. I've had mine since I was a kid.

In reply to captain paranoia:

Probably always had it Kevin. Ever since I've been going to the hills, so 16 or so years.

And only ever after strenuous exercise.

In reply to DougG:

Doug, what you need is 'the Bob', here: http://www.babytoupee.com/products_thebob.htm Apparently it's fleece-lined. Surely that'll keep folk's minds off your suit and coat?


Ref Reynaud's, I have it mildly and my sister has it a bit more than mildly. My top tip is to press your thumb into your hands, joining up the resultant white marks into a semi-permanent 'comedy' tattoo. Hours of fun and laughter that'll make you feel much warmer.

In reply to JayH:


That is class.


Will try that on Saturday after my morning run. Something to amuse the whole family...

In reply to DougG:

Or why not start a self-help Reynaud's group? Then you can all press happy faces onto each others' hands, thereby keeping youse *all* warm.

In reply to JayH:

If I found another 4 we could call ourselves the Reynauld 5.

In reply to DougG: > Ref Reynaud's, I have it mildly and my sister has it a bit more than mildly. My top tip is to press your thumb into your hands, joining up the resultant white marks into a semi-permanent 'comedy' tattoo. Hours of fun and laughter that'll make you feel much warmer.


lol i do that to my bf. its a little test to see how bad it is. i count how long it takes to come back to life. if its longer than 10 seconds - its time to go home.

In reply to JimR:
She's not joking, I had one to eliminate that as a cause of a problem I had.

Indeed, I've had one too. Slightly bizarre thinking 'arrghhh, I'm a mutant, I've got an extra rib!' but maybe preferable to other potential causes of it, esp if it develops later on in life.
Interestingly the specialist bloke I saw was also asking about changes to exercise regimes as it can be common in folk who start going to the gym ect and using the shoulder / neck muscles alot more than before. I guess increasing running mileage (all that pumping of arms) could have a similar impact.

In reply to DougG:

Ho ho ho, you should be ashamed of yourself. I started thinking of a joke along the lines of 'The 3 degrees', but figured that so few folk even know who they are that I couldn't risk that terrible tumbleweed moment after all.