Growing up in the snowy landscapes of northern Michigan with a love for outdoor winter activities, Christina Vipond-Jones first experienced Raynaud’s symptoms after a sports injury in 1997 that required emergency surgery along with a blood transfusion.
A few weeks following the surgery, her hands turned different shades of purple, yellow and white, and she sensed a new level of cold accompanied by pain that was difficult to put into words. It’s still unclear if there was a direct relationship between her injury, the surgery and related IV’s in her hands, or if it was just coincidence, but this was the start of Christina’s journey with Raynaud’s.
She was aware of the condition after reading a Stephen King novel including an often-gloved character assumed to suffer from the condition, but she didn’t believe hers was a medical issue worthy of a doctor’s attention until four years later when the symptoms became more severe affecting her toes and turning her lips blue during the attacks.
After years of trial and error, visits to doctors and specialists to rule out more serious primary disorders, Christina was officially diagnosed with primary Raynaud’s in 2010. She did try ace inhibitors (one class of meds used for Raynaud’s), plus different diets, adding herbs and spices to her food, and more, but none of these efforts worked to consistently alleviate her symptoms.
Despite the challenges, Christina has not let Raynaud’s limit her everyday life or keep her from enjoying the outdoor activities enjoyed since childhood. Through journaling her attacks, finding the right clothing and gear, and staying active, she has been able to manage her symptoms and stays positive and proactive in coping with her condition.
To maintain her active outdoor lifestyle, Christina has bins full of gloves and mittens from brands like Swix and Hestra that range from lightweight to the heaviest and warmest ones she could find. She follows the guidelines of dressing in layers, including fabrics made of wicking materials for base layers. Darn Tough brand full cushion socks are her go to favorites for snowshoeing and cross country skiing. Plus she keeps toe and hand warmers handy at all times. Another tip: She finds it helps to warm her hands, feet and gear right before heading out into the cold.
Christina also looks for creative ways to warm up wherever possible. For example, one season playing ice hockey when her attacks were quite frequent making it difficult to hold the hockey stick, she enlisted the guys in the skate sharpening area to help warm her hands with the blow dryer she found mixed in with their tools. Great sleuthing!
Her family has been incredibly supportive, understanding of the physical and emotional toll that Raynaud’s can take. Her friends and co-workers may not fully grasp the extent of her condition, but have accepted the fact that she’s challenged by the cold.
Christina’s positive and proactive approach to coping with Raynaud’s can be attributed to her career in the medical field and her love for the outdoors. She knows the importance of living each day to the fullest and not taking anything for granted. She remains determined to enjoy life and not let Raynaud’s dictate her daily routine.
Christina has found an ally in the Raynaud’s Association and its resources. From trying new products to staying informed on the latest research, she’s found a community that understands her struggles and offers valuable advice and support.
Her advice to other Frosties is simple yet powerful: “There are so many products available, use trial and error to find what works for you and your lifestyle. Don’t let Raynaud’s determine your daily routine. Keep your heart warm and happy.”
These profiles are part of our ongoing Member Spotlight series. For more information about our Member Spotlight feature and stories like this one from Christina Vipond-Jones, here’s the original post: Introducing Member Spotlight! To tell us your story for possible publication, please share it on our Tell Us About You Form.
