A couple of days after a snow fall, I love seeing a field of undisturbed snow, warming under a radiant sun, glittering enchantingly. As I bask in the beauty of the white, bedazzled landscape, my toes recoil deep into their wool sacks (socks). My toes instinctively know that Raynaud’s phenomenon is about to strike.
Both of my big toes and one of my 2nd toes have purple coloring, like they are bruised. While it’s conceivable that I stubbed them, due to my increasing clumsiness (so much for my dance training), that is not the case this time. My toes hurt worse than a bruise. Every step is painful and my toes refuse to be touched. (I think I even heard crying coming from inside my shoes.)
My Raynaud’s Phenomenon has flared up. I love how it’s called a phenomenon, conveying the syndrome with a cloud of mystery. My toes have a phenomenon attached to them. Does that mean they are phenomenal? (Probably not.)
Raynaud’s was the first quantifiable symptom of lupus that allowed my doctor to finally diagnose me. It took a winter wonderland that caused my toes to turn purple, added to all my other symptoms of a positive ANA (anti-nuclear antibody), extreme fatigue, malaise, headaches and migraines, photosensitivity, painful joints, and mouth ulcers to finally confirm that I have lupus. With Raynaud’s, basically my hands and feet (and even the tip of my nose, if I’m not careful) are not getting enough blood (thus oxygen), so they get overly cold and turn white and/or purple.
Let The Cold Weather Precautions Commence
Now, every winter I have to be extra careful to keep my hands, feet, ears, and nose warm. I’m good with all of them except the nose. I need to invent a nose muff, like ear muffs, to keep the tip of my nose warm. (Dibs on the “Nose Muff” name.) For the most part, my Raynaud’s Phenomenon flares up on my toes. When this happens, my doctors prescribe either an oral medication or nitroglycerin cream. I prefer the cream because I apply it directly to the affected area, plus it’s one less pill that I have to ingest. I take so many pills already, if I can avoid adding another one, sign me up.
If you decide to try the cream, be sure to wear disposable gloves when applying it. If you forgo using gloves, your hands will absorb some of the cream. Consequently, your body may get more of a dose of the nitroglycerin than prescribed. Also, remember to put socks on right away so that you keep the cream to yourself.
Time to go Shopping! Darn it
The best firsthand advice I can give is, don’t be a cheapskate like me. If you have Raynaud’s, now is the time to invest in good quality wool socks. I embarrassingly admit that I felt a little faint from sticker shock when I bought my first wool socks at $10 a pair. But those socks have been saving my toes for over a decade now. As far as my hands, I find mittens work better than gloves at keeping my digits toasty. My secret weapon against the bitter cold and purple toes is staying in bed under a fluffy comforter, binge watching Nextflix shows. (I’m daydreaming again.) When I have to venture outside, I layer up my clothing. It makes a huge difference. I always wear a 2nd layer of an undershirt, even if it’s only a tank top.
Another tip is to avoid grabbing things out of the freezer with your bare toes. Kidding – I’m just making sure you’re still with me. Seriously though, when you get something out of the freezer, try to not use your bare hands. Use an over mitt or potholder, kitchen towel, or even paper towels.
I will always love the frosty season (from indoors), delighting in a winter show of majestic snow, with my toes hibernating in their cozy (and pricey) wool sleeping sacks. My wallet may be lighter, but my smiling toes make it worth it. Remember that Raynaud’s Phenomenon is manageable. The most important thing is to keep yourself warm, see your doctor, and take care of yourself because you’re worth it!
You can read more about the author, Stacey right here
Pictures courtesy of Pixabay