Yeah, there's no way. My feet are actually completely inflamed, so swollen, and my toes get blisters. Cool white vinegar is the only thing that actually takes away the inflammation--Gabapentin may be helping a little, but I'd never F*&% with that treatment. Sounds like torture.
I've been taking capsaicin pills (not a cream) and vitamin B. I have seen no change in my EM or Raynaud's (positive or negative).
But have seen a reduction in general neuropathy (which was why I started trying them). To me, neuropathy is a nerve misfiring or over-firing, while EM is in the blood vessels themselves, and the burning sensation results from the flooding of blood in the hands/feet.
(I could see how these ingredients could affect blood flow, regulation of capillaries, or heat response, in addition to neuropathic pain... I just haven't had that experience, positive or negative.)
Good article.
How to keep feet toasty.
Kruizerchick - as Nel said; Apart from where you live I could have written this myself. <-- absolutely.
It's a constant balancing act between hot and cold and trying to regulate my body temperature and manage EM and Raynauds.
It's the same where I live. As soon as the weather is warm - hot; shops, doctors offices, trains and buses, grocery stores - pretty much any indoor public place has their air conditioning blasting.
I dont tolerate the heat well at all - and at least with cold temps I can pile layers on (harder to take enough layers off when its too hot !). however It makes me very uncomfortable and am constantly having to put on layers, or take off layers every time i go inside or outside - or even as I cool down or warm up within the same building.
Then in winter it's the opposite problem. when you walk into a shop and step through the doorway that terrible wave of heat engulfs you. I try and tough it out - but often find I cant bear to stay in the shop as I overheat to the point of feeling nauseous, very thirsty, and unbearably hot.. and of course sets of burning and redness.
It's heading into winter here - and I often go to bed feeling really cold, and shivering... however, I still find that quite often I'm waking up soaked in sweat because I have a lot of fatigue from other medical issues - I often dont wake up enough to take off sheets or put them back on etc. and sometimes lack energy to move / roll over to try and get some relief.
It's so gross to wake up flushed, with sweaty sheets and pajamas stuck to you.
kruizerchick said:
I have both. It's a constant see-saw for me, trying to find the balance between warming up and overheating. In order to cope, I have changed some basic habits and the list of "necessities" that I carry around with me. First of all, I dress in layers so that I can add on and remove as necessary to accommodate my back and forth temperature needs. I always carry around an extra sweater and pair of socks.
I live in Houston, Texas where it is extremely hot in the summer. Businesses tend to overcompensate for the heat outside by keeping their establishments very cold on the inside. I get lots of curious looks because I always seem to be the opposite of what everyone else is feeling... wearing sandals in the winter (because everyone has their heat cranked up inside) and sweaters in the summer (to offset the frigid indoor temperatures).
It is a challenge to stay comfortable and it often gets frustrating. At night, I do the whole "covers on, covers off" dance.
People are always curious and will ask. I found out long ago, that they can't really process what I'm telling them so I gave up trying to explain in detail. Now I just say that I have a condition that makes it hard to regulate my body temperature and leave it at that.
Meowmachine I found your reply really interesting. I wake up blazing with heat but never sweat on the flaring parts, day or night. Only my scalp and my armpits ever show any sign of sweating. Before EM I sweated wherever I was hot. I feel for you going into Winter. Even as we are seeing signs of Summer here, at the back of my mind is anxiety about when the Summer will be over and winter will be with us again:(
I also live in Vegas!
Silverlining said:
I have both, too. I have had Raynauds for about 10 years and quickly learned to avoid the cold. I gave up traveling to cold places, am have had to cover my hands when grabbing things out of the fridge, and always had an extra jacket/sweater just in case the air conditioning was too cold in a store or restaurant. For the past two years I have now been dealing with erythromelagia. My first bout came from what seemed to be lead poisoning. It seemed to go away when the lead levels retreated back to the normal range. Unfortunately, since January the erythromelagia has returned stronger than ever. I live in Las Vegas, so just walking in a parking lot is a challenge. I tell my husband (who is deserves a medal for trying to help me) that "I am a delicate flower!" I must be kept at the right temperature.
I am positive that the two must me connected in some distorted neuro-vascular dysfunction that has become my reality. Now if only I could find out why? Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.... :)
Well said Jon! Does anyone have a doctor or anything that is helping? I would actually travel to get relief.
That would be the million dollar question!
So when your feet are down thatās when they change all funky colors? Mine does the same thing! As soon as I put them up it goes away. That happens all the time. However when the EM flares, the red, hot color stays.
Iām feeling like Iām always flaring. Maybe in bed w my air blasting Iām okay. As long as the cold is going strong. Iām doing lots of investigating treatments right now bc Iām so miserable w this.
Patricia I suffer with both EM and have just started to experience Rynaulds! If I try to warm my feet them my EM kicks in. By the way I have Primary EM and am totally tired of waking up burning and still have to go through the day totally unhappy.
Keep your core warm. Most important aspect of raynauds. Your body thinks you are freezing and directs the blood flow from your extremities to your organs. It you can find a good comfort level ā¦ I layer in winter. Depending on where, what and when. T shirt usually tank type, long sleeve cotton shirt, and A flannel shirt or hoodie. I try to only wear natural fiber, not polyester or synthetic. Adding too or removing what ever needs balanced. What I find is my raynauds kicks in during the evening, I put on socks to go to bed ( can not go to sleep if my feet are cold ) and at some pointā¦boom Iām in a flare. It is a very fine line, and I for one have not mastered. One thing I can also add. Wool socks. Lightweight, merino, whatever. Not synthetic. It sounds contradictory, but that is all I wear when I am out and need to wear shoes. Thin thoughā¦ not the heavy padded ones. I also had to wearā¦ cringeā¦ my husbands compression socks when we were in Ireland, they surprisingly worked well for all the walking we did. Flying really made my issue worse.
Just so you feel better, my nose is purple from Reynards and I drink! But all doctors have told me it is not from drinking!
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So itching is a part of all this??? I have been going crazy trying to figure out why I am so itchy! Now I know. Thank you
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Your symptoms are very similar to mine. Have you ever tried an herbs?
Iāve dabbled. You? Nothing Iāve taken has helped.