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I'm 36, married, and have two children. After spending the last three painful years as a commercial sheet-metal supervisor, I've moved too a managerial position at a Foundry. I grew up in Sacramento CA, and so i didn't really start experiencing winters until moving to the pacific northwest at 18years of age.

Although I do remember that when the temps would be unseasonably cool, i would always be affected more severely than my friends and family.

My oldest son (not biological) was diagnosed with Raynauds about two years ago. So up to that time I'd never even heard of this affliction. My sons hands turn a blackish purple when they get cold, and also become painful.

Until about four years ago, I had always assumed I had a circulatory problem, as I've alsays had extremely low blood pressure.

After my son's diagnosis, I started to wonder if i had Raynauds. I don't have the discoloration like my son though. So I figured I didn't have it.

Recently I heard that you can have raynauds even if your skin doesn't discolor. I don't know if that is true.

My "winter" symptoms have grown increasing more severe over the last few years. It has gotten to the point that I had to change professions. My hands can't handle more than a few minutes in the cold. I've had many days where a coworker is working without gloves, while i have hand warmers, neoprene gloves, and insulated gloves over that -- and still I'm in almost agonizing pain. When my hands get cold, the pain is literally agonizing.

Any advice and or help would be greatly appreciated. Oh yeah, is there a correlation between arthritis and raynauds?

Thank you,
Corey (camsaw).

Hello, camsaw, and welcome to the forum.

Yes, Raynaud's can be related (secondary) to arthritis provided it is one of autoimmune forms of arthritis; this would include rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis ... but not osteoarthritis.

I hope you will find the forum helpful in your search to find ways to keep your hands warm.

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Judith
Secondary Raynaud's with underlying systemic sclerosis