[Aussie99]

It's 46 F in Sydney and that's cold for us. I am quite sensitive to cold temperatures and I also have tingly cold spots on torso and arms. So I get very cold. I usually have to take a hot bath most nights to warm up before bed. Tonight I was outside for a while and got very Chilled. When I came indoors I just could not warm up. It took over an hour and I was we'll clothed, heater on, heating pad on, it was strange. It was as if i couldn't warm myself no matter what. I went into a smaller room(bathroom) with my heater and I warmed up quickly so at least I know I can get warm. Also I think my left hand was cold and my right hand was normal temperature. My left arm also ached.

I am wondering if this is part of PN?? Does anyone else have high cold intolerance? How do you survive the winter?? Thank you.

Aussie

[mrsD]

I have had this often, mostly before my thyroid medication was issued. When cold enough I can get the chills and shake all over.

I can still get it, if I am very very hungry...but not like before.

Sometimes eating fixes this for me. I think in my case it relates to low blood sugar status + hypothyroidism, more than PN.

If you get this again, with cold extremities that do not warm easily, I'd get tested for cryoglobulinemia.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cryoglobulinemia
(the skin changes in the photo with this link don't always appear until late in the course of this problem.)

Cryoglobulins will freeze up in the blood, and prevent circulation from being normal, and have to dissolve again when warm.

[Aussie99]

Originally Posted by mrsD

I have had this often, mostly before my thyroid medication was issued. When cold enough I can get the chills and shake all over.

I can still get it, if I am very very hungry...but not like before.

Sometimes eating fixes this for me. I think in my case it relates to low blood sugar status + hypothyroidism, more than PN.

If you get this again, with cold extremities that do not warm easily, I'd get tested for cryoglobulinemia.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cryoglobulinemia
(the skin changes in the photo with this link don't always appear until late in the course of this problem.)

Cryoglobulins will freeze up in the blood, and prevent circulation from being normal, and have to dissolve again when warm.

Goodness gracious that photo looks scary!
I will see how I go. I was finally able to warm up,and I am ok when it is not cold. I am traveling overseas in 1 month and its a long plane ride and am now worried about being too cold on the plane and what I will do. (no hot shower available).

[mrsD]

This could be thyroid too... so best to get some tests at the doctor's.

Keep well hydrated on that plane as well, to keep the blood thinner. And move around ...flex your feet, and wear shoes that are not tight. Practice some isometic exercises at home, to contract muscles in the lower back, butt, thighs and calves. This will keep the blood moving during a long flight and won't disturb others much. I do these in bed sometimes to help my circulation and keep toned. I learned this in PT when I had my adductor injury.

[chaos]

I'm always cold. Obviously I'm still figuring all this out. During the Winter I even had to wear my ugly Uggs into the office, and I actually have a space heater on my feet when I'm in the office for much of the day (office temp is 70F). I did notice though that I felt cold and my toes eventually would warm up. But the actual cold really hurt, really really bad. I'm glad I don't live where it snows, and it's fairly mild, but I've never felt the hurting cold, even when I did live where it got down to 0F and snowed. All I could do is keep myself wrapped up in socks and blankets, my Uggs, etc even in the house.

I think that the heat is doing the same thing, but there have been very few really hot days. I went out and bought a pair of flip flops, even though I hate them, just so I didn't have to cover up my feet in the heat. So far the heat isn't hurting, but it seems like my feet aren't doing what they should at releasing heat when they need to.

And yeah, that pic is super scary!

[Aussie99]

I will be practicing the exercises and all taking some extra thermals in my bag just in case. It's very cold here so I can leave from Sydney wearing a winter coat/ski jacket and I will have it on plane. Now I understand why everyone moves to warmer climates as they get older.