So, what causes the coldness?

[ajunebug]

Hey out there in brain-droop land! Hope everyone is having a good and low pain day! (I know I'm not, ha ha.)

I was just wondering if anyone has any information (from their NS or elsewhere) about what causes the coldness in our hands and feet? It seems like it's a circulation issue to have cold extremities, not a nervous system issue. Perhaps the signals for temperature regulation can't be effectively communicated? I'm just curious how this works.

And, my pinky and ring finger seem to be the most effected and cold. Is this the case for anyone else?

[pamk5]

If you have a bp cuff at home you can check it yourself to see if it drops when you stand?? Check it lying, sitting, then standing... pulse too.  If you have any wild changes make sure you report this your doctor.  Ask for orthostatic vitals next time you go in to have it documented.  

Pam

[mishmack]

Well funny you should mention coldness because the toes on my left foot are constantly going numb and when I got in bed last night my right foot was fine but my left foot was like a block of ice so I had to put socks but my toes are starting to be really painful and i have no idea why. This also happens to the fingers on my left hand how bizzare?

[ajunebug]

My cold extremeties are the worst when sitting. But my pain is worst when lying down. I have no idea about my BP changes. I do have low BP and pulse overall though.

[pamk5]

Do you have issues with your bp dropping upon standing?  and heart rate jumping?  I was diagnosed with POTS (postural orthostatic tachycardic syndrome) and NMH (neurally medicated hypotension)  What the cardiologist told me was that in order for enough blood to get to your brain when you lie down it rushes to your head taking it away from your extremities.  Is it worse when lying down? This is all POTs related stuff!  It was explained it does come from the "pinching of the brain stem".  Dysautonomia is dysfunction of autonomic nervous system.  It controls alot of things including temperature so it makes sense it can affect this as well.  

I hope this helps.
Pam

[Mazie1209]

What.are drop attacks? Is that like passing out?
Mazie :o)

[selmaS]

  Hi...most of it could be due to the loss of brain connection of what should be going on...the signals r not getting thru...this is y we have drop attacks etc.....

We also have issues with related conditions like Ehlers-danlos which r associated with Raynauds which will have symptoms of cold hands and  feet.....

Circulation is part of it, but not all of it....it is more the compression of the brain stem and how the signals r getting sent out to the extremities....

[sleepypea]

I sure hope someone is able to answer this because I also have this problem.
I was thinking it could be compression on the arteries going up through the posterior fossa.
Maybe we're not getting good circulation and that is causing the coldness?? I really have no idea just sounded like a possibility. Right now as we speak my hands and feet are like ice cubes, but I have a fever of 99.4. I always seem to have a low grade fever. it fluctuates between 99-101 but none of the Dr.s seem to think anything about it....