Question Title: Raynaud's Disease

I have had the raynaud's disease for many years now as do my mother and sister.
It usually only affects my feet and hands although lstely I have noticed blanching
in my knees as well.Last week I had "attacks" of a wave-like feeling going over my
my entire body, starting with my arms and trunk going down into my legs and
then tachycardia with resulting tachypnea...I become so weak I am not able to sit up
to sit up or use my hands very well.I have been breathing into a bag lately
to reduce the hyperventilation effects but the weakness remains.(My doc suggested
I was hyperventilating but I feel the symptoms before the SOB)I also notice
blanching of my lips and gums and face with tingling and am wondering if raynaud's
can become generalised like this. I am on no meds for this, but have been fighting
a post viral sydrome since last Oct which I am taking amytriptiline 10mg hs
with control of fibro like symptoms.I am a homecare nurse and this is really
interfering with my ability to work as you can imagine. Any thoughts for me?
Thanks...Darlene

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Dear Darlene,
Although Raynaud's usually affects the face and hands it has the potential to affect any tissue, including the skin over the knees. Your other symptoms (tachycardia aand shortness of breath)
are not ones generally related to the raynaud's, thus they require further investigation. If you carry the diagnosis of anxiety disorder and you can attribute these symptoms to that diagnosis, then it
is less of a concern. My point is that whenever new symptoms develop, old symptoms worsen or change, and/ or symptoms limit your lifestyle, they need further investigation (with history and physical exam and the
diaagnostic tests if any that are dictated by the history and physical.) Good Luck. Information provided in the heart forum is intended for general informational purposes only, actual diagnosis and treatment can only be
made by your physician(s).

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