ridiculously chronic cold hands– raynauds syndrome

Vapour Barrier mitts, Leslie.
I'm a warm blooded person, and don't need much clothing to keep warm. Apart from my thumb! I mentioned on another thread that i had the top of my thumb surgicaly reattached after an industrial accident. As a result, the nerve endings in that thumb are agony if i allow them to get cold.
I bought a pair of the BPL(RBH) Vapour Mitts when they were on sale on this forum. RBH are expensive, but you could make your own Vapour Barrier system using plastic bags to see if it would work for you.

i know a couple of people that take it as needed and its been very helpful. also works to prevent hape.

There are some stories out there about people "treating" their Raynauds by 'conditioning' their extremities to colder environments. I don't know if this actually works or not (I'm skeptical), but some people swear by it so it might be worth a shot.
I think the idea is that for an hour or two every single day, you immerse your hand/feet in cold ice-water while otherwise warm inside your house. Eventually, your body supposedly learns it's a good idea to send more blood their way.

I've known two women skiers who had this condition. Each of them dealt with it by two methods. Get the exactly perfect combination of gloves or mitts. Not too tight, and not too loose.

Wear extra insulation layers of arm-warmers, sweaters, sleeves, or what have you. Basically, if you can keep the blood extra warm that is flowing through your arms, then by the time it gets out to your hands, it isn't so bad. One gal wears an extra wool warmer right at the wrist. That was something she cut and made out of an old Good Will wool sweater.

Still, I believe Raynaud's is nerve-related.

–B.G.–

If its getting to be that consistant, drug therapy is probably the next step? As mentioned, Nifedipine (Procardia) is a common one, but could make you dizzy. Stay away from coffee. I doubt you are a smoker.

Raynauds sucks :(

I represented some guys with Raynauds recently and got opinions from a couple of medical experts. They agreed there is no real treatment. I do believe that some are now treating with Viagra to help blood flow to the hands. I don't know if women can take it though.

My brother suffers from extreme cold in his extremities. For years he has used the metal hand warmers favored by hunters, which burn lighter fluid, if I recall correctly. Not sure if they are even available any more, but they work for him. For short term use one can buy single-use handwarmers, but that's not a good long term solution.

I believe that the lighter fluid hand warmers are still available. I used to use them as a kid, but that was back during the Taft Administration.

I have been known to carry a sodium acetate phase change hand warmer, but that is mostly as an emergency tool. They are rechargeable in boiling water.

–B.G.–

zippo makes a lighter fluid hand warmer … and there is a more generic brand … i own the zippo one …

there are also hand warmers that last a bit longer i believe … just carry a few more if that helps for longer days … as said putting a set of hand warmers around yr wrists helps (blood vessels there), and arm warmers as well

i dont suffer from cold hands, but there are some ice climbing gloves that are extremely dexterous and decently "warm" … my standard test is to be able to tie knots in climbing rope/webbing with gloves on …

i use these currently … using a thin merino liner with em helps tremendously … ive also used a set of food service gloves (the kind they use at subway) as a cheap VBL with these gloves … they wear out in a day, but then you just get a box for cheap

http://www.campsaver.com/latok-gloves

it has a BPL "recommended" rating as well if that matters

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/rab_latok_event_glove_spotlite_review.html

My SO suffered from Raynaulds — until she was diagnosed with an underactive thyroid. Now she is on replacement T4 she doesn't get the 'white fingers' any more. Consider a thyroid test.

I too have "makes no sense" freezing fingers and toes.

I start with "convertible mitts" –

– and then add "toastie toes"-

– because they have an adhesive backing.

With access to the tops of the mitts I am able to glue in a packet on the "knuckle side". If things are really grim I add another to the "palm side", actually gripping it between my hand and the pole handle. In both cases my skin is in direct contact with the heat packs.

Someone here on the forums managed to burn themselves use "toastie Toes" versus "toastie Hands", so exercise a little common sense as you experiment. I've done this for several years without any problems or "near misses". Light weight "liner" gloves would reduce that possibility. But the adhesive backs really help keep things in place.

In addition, I use a full overshell to eliminate any "leaks" between mitt and coat.

If you want to try some RHB VBL Mitts I'd be glad to send you a pair.

I find them to be to wet unless it is 10° or less, and not necessarily warmer than warmers in mitts and a traditional shell. [PM or direct to greg at smgm dot org]

YMMV

Integral Designs makes primaloft wrist warmers (see link below at Prolite.com). I couldn't seem to find them at the ID website, however.

http://www.prolitegear.com/integral_designs_wrist_warmers.html

Try a pair of mitts from RBH Designs. They have an integral VBL, and are amazingly warm for their weight. I'm guessing you might want the heavier version, and it comes with replacable liners of different thickness.

Good luck with it.

thanks all for the many dimensions of valuable input!
one word: options.
'tis good to know they exist! :)
leslie

heres a timely article from REI's blog …

http://findout.rei.com/blog_detail/?contentid=9054985033587196532

excerpt below …

Do your fingers and toes easily get cold? You may be experiencing Raynaud's Phenomenon. As an instructor at the Wilderness Medicine Institute of NOLS, I share my friend Abby's story and tips on how you can avoid it happening to you.

She suffers a condition known as Raynaud's Phenomenon.