Chiari related?

[Givenstrength]

No matter what I do I can not get my fingers and toes warm! They are always like ice and so cold they hurt!

Is this Chiari related or something else?

[selmaS]

  Hi...yes, chiari plays a big role in this in that it compresses the nerves, and many times can affect the way our body's use and absorb minerals and vitamins...so, it can be a few things that chiari has affected.



I will tell u with the IBS and the meds for that, and a few other things I always for as long as I could remember had cold hands and feet, and yes zygy my nose too!

But, I also had an issue with Vit D supplements.....and did a bit more research and found the issue could have been low magnesium.

  All of us need to have out vit D, B12's and magnesium's and  potassium levels....

  Chiari affects so many areas of our overall health....so we have to keep in mind that chiari may be the root cause, but we still have to look at these individually too and try to see if treating them can help us feel better.

  I know the right supplements are helping me post op.....

      "selma"

  

[Givenstrength]

Thanks for all the replies! I don't think I have thyroid issues but I don't know! My OB/GYN checked me like 3-4 years ago and said it was fine! I hope so bc he started me on adipex in September and it clearly states DO NOT take if you have thyroid issues!

The nerve thing makes since! I have DDD and Stenosis where "C5-6 completely attenuates the anterior subarachnoid space and contacts the ventral aspects of the cord" (that's what my MRI said anyways! Lol not 100% sure what it all means but...) I bet it makes my fingers and toes cold!

[Red_Star]

Causes of cold hands and feet include:

Peripheral neuropathy (damage to the peripheral nervous system)
Anaemia (iron, vitamin B12, folate)
Hypothyroidism
Raynaud's syndrome
Poor blood circulation
Magnesium deficiency
Low blood pressure
High blood pressure
Parasites
Allergies

[Samanthab259]

Ive never been checked for thyroid issues that i know of. My hands & feet freeze & I will add my ears! Ive had this issue for as long as i can remember.

[*Stormy*]

I believe it is Chiari related, almost all of us have this issue. In neuro rehab I was tOld that it was related to the nerve damage. For me most of the time my hands and feet are freezing but once in awhile they will switch to this really hot burning feeling. Pretty sure it's nerves gone haywire!!! Also, i am hypothyroid too and I am told that it can cause this too. It's amazing how many of us have Chiari and thyroid issues!

[zygy2]

I am hypothyroid but I also am a healthy weight and exercise a good deal.  I walk miles a day on my treadmill, use my eliptical, do situps and a few other things for my neck and back ... and I still freeze!  

[jenshead]

I have very cold hands & feet too.  It can be due to a thyroid condition, medication (Diamox, which I take, will do it), and probably a lot of other things.  Don't know if it can be Chiari related..would be interesting.  I think some thyroid conditions are Chiari related, so that would put everything together.  I've had my thyroid tested though, so I think it's coincidental for me.  Maybe even poor circulation due to lack of exercise...would make a lot of sense for me, and probably for anyone whose activity level dropped drastically after this diagnosis.

[zygy2]

I have the same issue and would like to add my nose to the list :)  I have always been cold for as long as I can remember and I would never even be able to sleep if it was not for my electric blanket to help me warm myself at the end of the day!  My hands hurt when they are really cold where I get the numbness but my NS thought that might be neck related but I know chiari people complain about hands all the time???  I just own a lot of wool socks and heavy sweatshirts! :)  -zygy