Raynaud's Syndrome, DU?

[Padraig18]

Poll question: Raynaud's Syndrome, DU?

I have it, and wonder who else does...

[Kathy in Cambridge]

1. I've had it for years-some years are worse than other years

the damp brings it on for me. Alas, I live in Boston, which is not known for its dry weather.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

3. Moisture is hell on Raynaud's and is one of the contributing causes

[Padraig18]

9. I live on the prairies of Illinois

Winters can be pure hell for me, because of the bitter cold. :(

[silverlib]

2. Not me, but a friend

Her's is fairly well managed, in conjunction with other problems, but a pain management specialist.

Hope you are able to manage yours!

[PaDUer]

4. I have it also...

along with other autoimmune illnesses.

[Dimsdale]

10. Reynaud's is an autoimmune disease?

Huh?

[Padraig18]

12. They think so, yes.

They group it with arthritis and lupus.

[Dimsdale]

13. Are there not distinctions?

Those with lupus or rheumatoid arthritis exhibit Reynaud's symptoms. But aren't there also those who are otherwise healthy that do so as well? Like yours truly, for example. A doctor told me not to sweat my symptoms. He told me to get a pair of good gloves.

[greatauntoftriplets]

5. Please tell us what it is, Paddy?

Thanks.

[Dimsdale]

6. It's a problem when I ride...

bicycle or motorcycle when the temp. is below 50. Need to bulk up with layers of clothing. It helps to keep feet and hands out of the wind. On the mc, a BMW R1150, the cylinders keep my feet out the wind. Heated gloves take care of my hands. The bicycling gets done mostly inside 'til it warms up.

[Padraig18]

7. It's called the 'red, white and blue disease'.

It's a disorder of the peripheral vasculature of the hands, primarily, and it's etiology is poorly understood. those who have it will experience a 'flushing' of the hands (red), followed by a blanching (white), followed by a marked cyanoisis (blue). The hands are extyremely sensitive to extreme heat or cold, although cold usually effects them more.

It is relatively painless, although numbness can and often is associated with it when attacks are in the acute phase. There is no known cure, and most treatment is symptomatic. It can lead to frostbite and tissue necrosis during cold weather that would not normally be considered 'severe'.

[liberalnurse]

8. The up- side...symptoms subside...you actually feel great

during pregnancy.....then again it could be the down side.....

[Padraig18]

11. Here's a link:

www.niams.nih.gov/hi/topics/raynaud/ar125fs.htm

:hi:

[thebaghwan]

14. Got mine from a motorcycle accident in 1967, almost lost my arm to it.

I was in the USAF and was having some trouble then the cold weather at Vandenberg AFB, CA hit and started real problems. Then I got orders to go to Goose Bay, Labrador. I was really having problems and they were doing nerve blocks everyday for the circulation. They wouldn't tell me what was wrong. So since I was a medic, I arranged to get a look at my med records and discovered the diagnosis and had to go to the hospital library to find out what it was. I took some leave and went to L.A. and saw a private neurologist who confirmed the diagnosis and said it was absolutely crazy for the USAF to even think of sending me to Labrador.

I went back and confronted the doctors but got no where. Then I went to see a chaplain who was a full bird colonel. After listening to the story he told me "Somethings in life don't make sense" at which point in time I lost all patience and said "no, just nothing in this goddamn USAF does" It was at this time I was invited to leave. I must have put a hint of doubt in his mind though as he made some calls and got the runaround from the doctors and the shit hit the fan. I didn't go to Labrador and I have nevere had anymore trouble since that time but it was pretty much touch and go there for awhile.

[baby_bear]

15. Distinguish syndrome from phenomenon

When associated with autoimmune disorders, it is Reynaud's syndrome. When it manifests itself independent of any underlying disorder, it is referred to as Reynaud's phenomenon.

s_m

[DemoTex]

16. My wife has Raynaud's Syndrome

In fact, we left the mountain lake bonfire early tonight because of her discomfort from the cold.