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Reynauds. .and very concerned

I am a 22 year-old female. And one year ago got dx of Reynauds. I have always been warm blooded until about 2 yrs ago. I am now constantly Freezing evenwih several layers of warm clothes. I am realativily healthy don't smoke or use drugs and I am not ovverweight. My problem is my toes get so cold and turn black/blue and do not get warm I massage them put warm blankets/socks and they have been staying a terrible color even in a hot shower. The discoloration use to just be when I was really cold and ten I could warm them up. . I am worried this is something more serious, and would hate to have permanent damage.. Where should I start? Who should I go? I am away at college but still on my parents insurance but this is really starting to concern me. I know reynauds is normally white fingers and toes but mine hurt and look black/blue.
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1583678 tn?1296677474
I have Raynauds and I have Rheumatoid arthritis, Gloves can't warm up cold hands unless you warm them first. My Rheumatologist sends me in to hospital every October or November to have isloprost infusions ( 5 Days for 5hours) iwhich help me a lot. So see a rhuematologist is my advice. |I tried pills but they gave me very swollen ankles. and did not really help me. Also I carry fisherman's hand warmers wherever I go and you can get these for your feet too. Don't neglect this condition and you will learn to adjust to the cold in many ways'
Marra
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Avatar universal
Hello again
You are so full of great useful information. At this point I have really struggled to get ahold of my MD that did the tests, if I were to ask for a copy of my lab results would it state what all they tested for? I am unsure as to what all he tested. I reserched EDS and Hashimotos and they were both interesting to read about. Not sure that I fit into the categories of the symptoms though. . You continue to be so helpful. I am going to try and leave a list of questions for the nurse to ask the dr. to see if he has tested for them.

I really would go see a specialist, i just don't want to have to do a lot of time and money wasting if in the end they are just going to prescribe a sugesstion to move to warm climate or take blood pressure medicine.

I am looking for a true fix or at least a reason for my abnormally cold toes and fingers.. . even just a good starting point. so far everyone has been so helpful.
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620923 tn?1452915648

  Hi...U asked about EDS and thyroid...do u know if ur dr tested just the TSH for thyroid?

  If so, it could appear "normal" when u have something going on..ask about autoimmune issues like Hashimoto's..to test in addition to TSH they have to also look at Free T3 and Free T4 and TPO antibodies....

  Did ur dr ever say if u had EDS?

   "selma"
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Avatar universal
Thank you Dr. Sharma.That is all excellent information.  I have another question in regards to the reynauds that you may be able to help me with. . Would it be appropriate to take a daily asprin to increase blood flow to my fingers and toes?( I know you don't know my medical history but I am in good health) Is is possible that the lack of oxygen to my fingers in toes could cause permanent damage or amputation? (this is my biggest concern) . . .Also I stated that I have done all the bllod work/testing for this and have no Dx but I didnt mention that I weighed almost 100 pounds more than I do now. I am not anorexic but try very hard to limit my caloric intake. Since junior high I have slowly (over 5 years lost the weight) but could weight loss be the reason for all this and is there something I can do or another specialist I should consult with? Once again I REALLY appreciate all your information you have provided. Thank you
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Avatar universal
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hi there. Reynaud’s phrnomenon is an exaggeration of vasomotor responses to cold anf emotional stress. It is hyperactivation of the sympathetic nervous system causing extreme vasoconstriction of peripheral blood vessels leading t otissue hypoxia. The cyclic changes may include color changes, on cold exposure blood supply to fingers or toess nose and earlobes is reduced markedly and there is pallor and cold and numb.  it becomes cyanosed on depletion of oxygen supply turning to purple like a bruise. When the blood flow returns, skin color bcomes red and then normal. it can be primary or secondary when there is a cause. These could be connective disorders like scleroderma, SLE, RA, anorexia nervosa, etc. consult a superspecialist known as rheumatologist to deal with these problems, take care.
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Avatar universal
Thank you for your helpful comments.I  am just trying to take the best route to avoid being bounced from Dr to Dr. And still am not sure where to start, I appreciate that you mentioned a Rhemotologist, however I am still unsure since my orignal MD said that he tested for thyroid issues, or Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes and other reasons as to why I am having this and all my lab work and everything showed that I have nothing wrong. Do you know what other types of testing or things I can do to narrow it down before going to see a specialist.?


Helpful - 0
620923 tn?1452915648
Hi...I was dx'd with Raynauds as well...had the pain and the very cold hands and feet...even my ankles were ice cold...

The reasons for Raynauds or Raynauds effect could be several things...a thyroid issue, or Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome.....

A complete check up with a Rheumatoid dr is best to determine what is going on and the best course of action.

People who have primary Raynaud's (Raynaud's disease) or secondary Raynaud's (Raynaud's phenomenon) can have attacks in response to cold temperatures or emotional stress.

Raynaud's attacks usually affect the fingers and toes. Rarely, the attacks affect the nose, ears, nipples, or lips.

During a Raynaud's attack, the arteries become very narrow for a brief period. As a result, little or no blood flows to affected body parts. This may cause these areas to:

Turn pale or white and then blue
Feel numb, cold, or painful
Turn red, throb, tingle, burn, or feel numb as blood flow returns to the affected areas
Raynaud's attacks can last less than a minute or as long as several hours. Attacks can occur daily or weekly.

Attacks often begin in one finger or toe and move on to other fingers or toes. Sometimes only one or two fingers or toes are affected. Different areas may be affected at different times.

Severe cases of secondary Raynaud's can cause skin sores or gangrene. "Gangrene" refers to the death or decay of body tissues. Fortunately, severe Raynaud's is rare.
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