Reynaud's disease

Hello Speightamanda, I was hoping to see some replies to your question as like you I have this problem in my hands, although some doctor also mentioned arthritis, no-one seems to appreciate just how awful it can be though. There are times the pain in my fingers is so bad I can hardly wipe my own bum!! My hands can be so incredibly cold and like you I put them in HOT water frequently. What does help a little I believe is Glaucosmine, I actually get these on perscription so you can try that. How long have you had this problem?

Some natural remedies may help boost the circulation and therefore help the condiion of Raynaud's. For instance, ginger is a circulatory stimulant and is believe to have a 'warming' effect within the body so try making some ginger tea (steep finely chopped or grated ginger in hot water).

Also magnesium is recommended, taken at a dose of 300 – 500 mg each day as it helps to prevent freezing of the fingers and toes.

One study found that treatment with Ginko biloba reduced the frequency of Raynaud’s attacks by more than half. The recommended dose is 120 - 240 mg of standardised extract per day, though it may take two or three months before real benefits are felt.

Please note that these suggestions should be cleared with your GP first, but I hope you both may find some relief from them.

Best wishes
Moonfairy
x

Hi Amanda

I had the symptoms of Raynaud's in my hands and feet in my 30s. I went through the process of eliminating this and that from my diet, which seemed to work temporarily and then stopped working, or the changes themselves were making my life miserable, and stress was a contributory factor to my condition ....

I'm now in my 50's and don't have it at all. 🙂 But the causes of my symptoms may not be the same causes as yours.

My father had Raynaud's, so when I started getting it earlier in life than he did, I thought the doctor was going to say it was hereditary, but he didn't, and I'm now truly grateful for that. He just said that in the same way I might take after my father in hair and eye colour, I might take after him in terms of things like circulation. So I think he was saying that it wasn't the same as having a genetic condition, more of a "predisposition". So I work on the principle that in my case genetics or "taking after" may have loaded the gun, but its the environment/stress (internal and external) that pulls the trigger ..... and some of that I have some control over.

My advice is don't "self-medicate" just the Raynaud's symptoms - first look at your health as a whole and find causes of stress.

Its not always necessary to cut wheat and dairy out, for me spelt wheat is better than ordinary, I have small amounts of goats cheese and goats milk, but if I do occasionally have ordinary wheat and dairy then nothing happens... I've improved my digestion, I've done work on areas of my life to reduce the stress I was under, I avoid "chemical stress" from standard toiletries etc etc. Supporting the adrenal glands can be a big positive factor.

Hope that helps. 🙂

Hi Amanda,

I have been taking Hematite remedy recently and one of the things it says its good for is Reynauds disease...mine was in a handmade combination of remedies but Im sure you can buy a single crystal essence of it on the internet...

All the best

w*w

I've had Raynaud's since my teens and after having an operation to seperate fibrous muscle and remove extra ribs last year I begun to get digital ulcers in one hand and the Raynaud's attacks in the other.

The above to be taken with antioxidants to enhance nitric oxide:
C,E, Folic Acid, alpha lipoic acid

Piracetam (sold under many brand names) is a nootropic. This has also been reported to work well with L-arginine
ginkgo biloba

Always consult your doctor before taking any supplements.

I'm surprised I didn't see this thread first time round as I've had Raynaud's for about 20 years. It didn't make too much difference for a long time as I was spending every winter in a hot country but now I'm back in the UK for most of the winter. I was really worried as to how I would get on as I'd only ever tried self medicating with ginkgo biloba and wasn't sure whether that was having any beneficial effect or not. Then I discovered Ugg boots and sheepskin gloves (I used to get terrible chilblains on my toes) and I find I can cope with the winters. I don't take any supplements nowadays (can't really afford them) at least not specifically for the Raynauds, though I have been taking glucosamine for my joints (knees!) I didn't know that could be beneificial for Raynauds too. What has really helped has been giving up smoking, which I did seven years ago when diagnosed with a lung disease. One thing that sometimes bothers me, but only from a vanity point of view, is that my fingers have got fat.
But otherwise I cope.
Bodies eh! Who'd have 'em?

A gem elixir of bloodstone may also be beneficial. Bloodstone is great for disorders of the blood and good for circulation problems.

My hands can be so incredibly cold and like you I put them in HOT water frequently.

😮

Hi,

I don't offer any miracle cures here, just some old-fashioned medical advice........

Putting your hands in warm or hot water can damage the tissues even more - here's why:
Reynauds is characterised by the muscular wall in the arteries supplying the extremities going into spasm, thus cutting down the blood supply. This affects muscle, ligaments, tendons, skin, and eventually can affect the joints.
Tissue which is deprived of blood is also deprived of oxygen, and very vunerable to damage from extremes of temp - either heat or cold.

Try alt remedies by all means (let your GP know first) but also try to keep your extremities at an even temp.

David:)

Another simple yet very effective technique is to visualise roots extending from the bottom of your feet and imagine these roots going deep into the earth. When you sense the roots are deep into the core of mother earth, visualise the energy from the core of the earth coming up through the roots and up your feet, up your legs, up your tummy, and to your hands.

Works a treat and you should be very hot and warm by this point.

The earth energies are very hot, so drawing these energies into your body will help keep your hands warmer.

Works a treat and you should be very hot and warm by this point.

The earth energies are very hot, so drawing these energies into your body will help keep your hands warmer.

Hi Rosi,

Not being rude or anything, but have you actually experienced this with patients suffering from Reynauds Disease?

David:)

Hi Rosi,

Not being rude or anything, but have you actually experienced this with patients suffering from Reynauds Disease?

David:)

I'd be more interested to know if any Raynaud's sufferers have experienced this.:cool:

I'd be more interested to know if any Raynaud's sufferers have experienced this.:cool:

Fair comment!
I was trying to make the same point, but you put it more succinctly.

David:)

No, but that doesn't stop me recommending something that may help to keep the hands warm.

It certainly helps me when I am very cold, so worth a try.

Up to the person to give it a go, it may work, it may not, but there is nothing to lose!