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RandomGirl's avatar

Do you have any tips for how to improve circulation to hands and feet?

Asked by RandomGirl (3362points) April 30th, 2013

My hands and feet are tingling just enough to drive me crazy. I’m drinking plenty of water and not sitting still for hours on end. I’ve tried using a heating pad to increase circulation, but it hasn’t helped at all. Do you have any suggestions?

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29 Answers

JLeslie's avatar

Tingling all the time? That can be neurological rather than circulation. That is a see the doctor symptom. Basic tests like a blood test to see if you are low in B12 is probably in order, but he will probably order other tests also.

Are you having any other medical symptoms?

KNOWITALL's avatar

Stimulate the areas with your hands and possibly take a warm bath. I agree with @JLesie though, as I believe you’re fairly young. Do you smoke?

poisonedantidote's avatar

If you smoke, quit.

RandomGirl's avatar

I’m headed to a neurologist on Thursday for some other enexplained symptoms. We know I probably have some sort of a neurological problem. So is it something I can’t do anything about? Do I just have to live with it? (For the next few days until I see the doc, that is)

And no, I don’t smoke. No worries.

JLeslie's avatar

@RandomGirl Did you go to your primary doctor first and he referred you to the neurologist? I only ask, because I am wondering what tests might have been done already.

Another question, we’re you taking new medicine when this started? Or, undergoing some sort of medical treatment?

Lastly, it is very possible you can do something about it, what is important right now is to get a correct diagnosis.

Lynn59's avatar

You might go to greenbush.com to check out what they have for this problem..I use a lot of natural herbs..Don’t like side effects..I am a diabetic and was on insulin, now I use there products without side effects…

Lynn59's avatar

do get a correct diagnosis, and you do have a choice of what you put into your body…

bookish1's avatar

I had this symptom, and feared it was neuropathy, but my doctor did a blood exam, and it turned out my vitamin D levels were extremely low. I went on a prescription and then to supplements, and it got rid of the tingling and also helped with my depression. It’s something you might ask your doctor about.

Good luck with your visit to the neurologist.

gailcalled's avatar

For temporary improvement in circulation of arms and shoulders, swing them like windmills, using the shoulder as the pivot…a few times in either direction.

Fingers crossed for your appointment with the neurologist. I know from your detailed questions over the past few weeks that you have legitimate concerns about the larger issues. It is really tough, I know, not to worry.

What works best for me is to spend time with my cat. HIs needs trump mine most of the time, and he acts as a non-plug-in heating pad.

JLeslie's avatar

@bookish1 I’m glad you brought up vitamin D, a huge help for me also, although my problem was felt more in my muscles. Still anyone with neuromuscular problems I think should have their D and B12 checked.

By the way the neurologist I saw did not check my vitamin D.

@RandomGirl What tests have been done already? What have they ruled out already?

Judi's avatar

If its neurological its probably not a circulation problem even if it feels like it.

Adirondackwannabe's avatar

You could try squeezing something like a tennis ball or those grip exercisers for the hands and see if it changes anything. But if it’s both hands and feet I’m agreeing with the other answers.

JLeslie's avatar

@gailcalled‘s answer made me realize you are the jelly suffering from headaches. Please let us know what the neurologist says.

SpatzieLover's avatar

@RandomGirl This needs to be a part of your overall well-being notes as I stated in this question. It’s a change for your norm.

Do your hands or feet ever turn grey or blue? I ask because Raynaud’s Syndrome sometimes occurs with other auto-immune conditions.

JLeslie's avatar

@SpatzieLover Usually the chief complaint with Raynaud’s is cold hands and very dry, cracking skin and blue fingers.

SpatzieLover's avatar

@JLeslie Not with mine…Tingling was the first notice I had.

JLeslie's avatar

Interesting. She definitely could have something autoimmune, I don’t argue that point. But, Raynaud’s would only be part of a bigger thing for her most likely. I’m hoping it is something and easily remedied and in the end she can be really pissed the other doctors did not give her the simple cure.

RandomGirl's avatar

@SpatzieLover: No grey or blue hands. My hands are usually cold, though. I’ve always thought it was from spending a lot of time in a cold basement (where my bedroom is, and since I’m homeschooled, I spend at least half of my school day there). But I suppose it could be one of those little puzzle pieces… You know, come to think of it, my brother and sister typically have cold hands, too.

@JLeslie I’m with you there – simple and easily remedied sounds good to me :)

janbb's avatar

@RandomGirl may well have something to do with all your other symptoms. Be sure to mention it when you see the specialist.

JLeslie's avatar

@RandomGirl I just saw on your ther Q you live in Minnesota. Please please make sure they checked your vitamin D level. There are some correlations that have been made, but no causations have been proven as far as I know, about the upper Midwest having more cases of MS, and also that that region of our country has fewer sunlight hours and people get less vitamin D. I really believe fixing my vitamin D level has either delayed or prevented whatever neuromuscular disease I was headed towards. I don’t think MS is the only possibility.

You also are in the goiter belt, I don’t even know if that name applies anymore, but checking your thyroid is another thing I think they should do. I don’t think either will explain all of your troubles, but it might be a piece to the puzzle

RandomGirl's avatar

The saga continues…
I thought some jellies might be interested in an update.
I had my neuro appointment this afternoon. He’s a great doc – I’m very thankful to have been referred to him. As for the diagnosis, though… He had nothing. He was very thorough and went over possibilities I hadn’t even thought of. But my plethora of symptoms was to big to point to anything conclusive, and he didn’t want to treat any mystery disease without a name. So now we’re scheduled for a bunch more blood tests and other tests in a few days. I’m pretty sure they’re checking for everything that’s been mentioned here! At first, it felt like today’s appointment was a waste of time, but now I’m kind of excited for next week when we get these tests done. I might have some answers soon! (And, plus, I’m getting a new prescription for my glasses next week. Life will be easier soon.)

JLeslie's avatar

Thanks for the update. Did you mention the mold you were exposed to? I think they can do blood tests for mycotoxins? You don’t have all the symptoms for that I don’t think, but bad infections can lead to destruction of the myelin sheath from what I have read and definitely causes headaches.

Adirondackwannabe's avatar

@RandomGirl Thanks for the update.

RandomGirl's avatar

@JLeslie OH I forgot about that. :/ But I’m headed to another doc later in the month, and I’ll try to remember to ask him about it.

JLeslie's avatar

I saw you might be positive for Lymes, so I hope the treatment works for you.

If not, I had an idea considering your symptoms that they kind of jibe with nitrous oxide poisoning. It blocks B12 from being absorbed correctly. Your B12 can be normal on all blood tests, but other tests would be haywire like homosystiene I think and a couple of others. The numbness in your hands and headaches fit. Basically the body is in B12 dificiency even though the B12 levels look normal. You’re not breathing that stuff in are you? Recreationally or inadvertently? It’s used in cans to spray things like ready whip. It’s also the laughing gas dentists use. Even if this is not the case for you, it might give a clue about a possible other sources of your problem.

RandomGirl's avatar

@JLeslie: Huh, interesting. Right now I’m really working on doing everything I can toward getting better, assuming it is Lyme. I really think this is the right diagnosis, because everything I read on the internet fits, perfectly. Also, I started on the antibiotics last week, and yesterday I had my first “herx” reaction. (That’s when the antibiotics kill the microorganisms causing the disease, and they release a surge of toxins into your body. All your symptoms get worse, or new symptoms appear, for a day or two. For me, joint pain appeared suddenly. This is a good sign!)

janbb's avatar

If you hear hooves in the night, it is probably horses not zebras is what they teach in med school.

Sounds like you are finally on the way to healing, @RandomGirl ! Congrats!

JLeslie's avatar

I always question the whole theory behind herx reactions, but hopefully you are on your way to health. I agree with @janbb the most obvious answer is usually the answer.

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