Reynaud's...

[jensequitur]

Last night my hands looked really weird - I looked down, and two of the fingers of my right hand were totally white - no blood at all.  I had three white fingers on the left hand - the little finger, the pointer and the index. I could see a clear delineation between regular, blood-infused skin and crazy white skin.  

In fact, it looked just like the picture here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raynaud's_phenomenon

The one on the top left is almost exactly what my hand looked like, although the pattern was different.

I had just come in out of the cold, and this entry says that cold can set it off.

I'm just a little concerned, because I've been having increased back pain all week, and my back feels buzzy all the time.  I don't know if I should call the doctor for this little problem, but I hate to blow it off...  (like I did with the blood clot.)

[jensequitur]

I'm a little worried about - as you say - the crappy circulation!  I'm on warfarin, just had a blood clot, and now I get this.

[ANonnyMouse]

The picture you linked to looks like my hands used to when I was in my childhood and through my teens and 20's... only I'd get usually two or three fingers, not the whole lot of them. It stopped when a) I stopped smoking, and b) moved to a warmer climate.I was also prone to chilblains in my toes. I suspect I just had crappy circulation.

[jensequitur]

I've had my blood checked twice for hypothyroidism, but no go - everything's working fine, evidently.  I'm not even on the low or high end.  

I'll talk to my PCP about it on Wednesday - I go in for an INR check, so I'll get a chance to say something, maybe.

[bry425]

The back issue sounds like a nerve issue. Pinched nerve. Doesn't hurt to let your doc know of any new symptoms. Just wanted to say I've had Raynauds Phenomenon for twenty years. Like most if not all things, the cause is not known. But my dad had it mildly. I get it in fingers and toes, fingers more. Freezer sections in grocery stores, anyplace indoors or out where sudden cold temperature is felt. It's weird, but hasn't caused me any real problems. But do get it checked out since you have other things going on as well. Raynauds is often an overreaction to cold where your system sends more blood to the vital organs. I was hyperactive thyroid, now hypo... No difference in Raynauds either way. All the best to you.

[Sumanadevii]

Yes, I was told by a vascular surgeon that I had Reynaud's.  I suffered with it for three years in all seasons...summer, fall, winter and spring .....My feet were like blocks of ice then came the MS diagnoses and magic!  Gone.  One of the medications has taken it away.  Which medicine I am not sure but no cold feet even in the deep of winter.

[anon07072023]

Hi Jen,

I'm not for sure if I have Reynaud's or not. Sometimes the soles of my feet look like the pic on that website. They're red, yellow, and white color before they go back to my normal color - when my feet go from very cold to hot (ie getting in the shower early in the morning on a cold day).  
Are you wondering if you might have it, or do you already know that you do?

-Kelly

[Sparkysarah]

Have you had your thyroid levels checked recently..cold hands and feet are often a sign along with other symptoms of hypothyroidism...but this is just a thought.

Love Sarah x

[sadie405]

Given what you've shared, I'd definitely err on the side of caution-- esp. if you have a history of going too far with the not making a mountain from a molehill theory-- and give them a call. A history of having had a bloodclot in the leg is no little thing, and if it looks like your circulation is going wonky in other areas when it hasn't before, note it. And when you can, get pictures. Does sound like Raynaud's. Have you ever had livedo?