[pct-l] Cold Feet and Hands

[ronyon at comcast.net (Ron Smith)]

Laura,
Ask your doctor to prescribe Nifedipine. This drug is a vasodilator for
treating Raynaud's but I've been using it for my chronic cold feet for a
year with good results. When backpacking, I usually take a tablet in the
evening after dinner, just when the thermometer starts plummeting. It's
pretty amazing stuff - about 10 minutes after taking I can feel the
warmth suddenly coursing through my feet. Don't think there are any
significant side effects, but I'm not a doctor. 
Ron

> Date: Mon, 17 Jan 2005 18:31:42 -0800 (PST)
> From: Laura Meredith <ice9laura@yahoo.com>
> Subject: [pct-l] Cold Feet and Hands
> 
> ...However, I do have cold hands and feet in general. I
> would love to know if any one else experiences
> Raynaud's phenomenon (exaggerated constricting of the
> blood vessels in response to cold in the hands in
> feet, cutting off circulation and resulting in
> blanching) and if they have any advice, especially
> with the feet. I am going on lots of training trips to
> figure out the best system for me, but have found that
> doctors are pretty clueless to prevention in the
> backcountry.
> Thanks!