[BBC News] 'My cold fingers were caused by a disease' - Article on Raynauds and scleroderma

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx2gky52p5qo

"About 15 years ago, Tim Holt-Wilson noticed a "gradual degeneration" in the warmth of his fingers.

The 66-year-old, who lives near Eye, in Suffolk, had already been diagnosed with the autoimmune condition Scleroderma - which caused stiff skin and inflammation - but he noticed how cold his fingers became.

It turned out to be secondary Raynaud's disease - a condition that affected extremities such as the hands or feet during cold temperatures.

Mr Holt-Wilson has found ways to cope with his conditions and shared his experience for February's Raynaud's Awareness Month, external.

"I hadn't heard of Scleroderma before then, but I think I had heard of Raynaud's before... but I never thought that was on the path of my life," Mr Holt-Wilson explained.

"It's like with all these illnesses you never think when you're younger, 'Oh, that is the trajectory of my existence, that's going to frame my life'.

"You just reformulate yourself." [CONT]

 

I developed Raynauds in my late teens or early 20s. I'm not sure I even have it any more as I don't go outside much, especially when it's cold. It never bothered me too much, but it seems to be indicative of some sort of underlying dysfunction that's likely auto-immune in nature.

 

My cold fingers were caused by -40C.

 

see also
Buerger's Disease vs Raynaud's: A Detailed Comparison

 

One can only hope that the people responsible for the recent breakthroughs in Raynauds will be able to have the same success with DecodeME.

 

I developed Reynaud's in my late 50s. Some people get pain with it, but I never have; it's just a slightly weird thing where you can't feel the bits that have gone white.

Pressure on my finger ends seems to trigger it as much as cold. Always get it when I tuck the bottom sheet under the mattress, or if I slide my fingers under a tight waistband to scratch my back.