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Suggest Treatment For Raynaud's Disease

Posted on Mon, 15 Dec 2014

Question: Hello, I have had Raynaud's since my teenage years. I am now 55. I have it in my fingers and toes, and generally take "Norvasc" in the winter to help keep the arteries dialated during the winter months.

Last winter I had tremendous difficulty with my right hand. It was always ice cold when my left hand was not. My finders were swollen and much larger than those of my left hand. It was very painful. A lot of joint pain, skin sores on my fingers, then extreme fevers and itchiness of fingers.

I just had an EMG today and the test was fine, though my hand went very cold during the test. I have had scans and x-rays of my neck and shoulders to rule out a pinched nerve. What is the next test I can do?? I can not go through another winter like last year. Symptoms for Raynauds have not changed in 40 years.

Answered by Dr. Rakesh Madhyastha (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
To looks for autoimmune disease

Detailed Answer:
Hello

Thanks for the query

I dont know why EMG was done as it was not indicated. The next set of investigation I would do if I were to be your physician are

1. Nerve conduction study of the set of nerves supplying the troubled areas
2. Test of vasculitis and auto immune disorders. This includes ANA profile, ANCA-p and ANCA-C

Raynauds is treated with Norvasc, I also put my patiens on Cilostozol, it gives good relief. I recommend you to approach a physician with my suggestion.

I hope I was of help, if you have any further queries please get back to me

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Rakesh Madhyastha (13 hours later)

Thank you. I understand that there is also a Dopler Ultrasound test to check blood flow in my arm. Is this a test you would recommend?

Answered by Dr. Rakesh Madhyastha (30 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Can be done

Detailed Answer:
Hello

Thanks for getting back

You can get doppler to check for the blood flow but I doubt it will be of much help to you as it is the small arteries which are affected and doppler will not help you see for that

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj

Follow up: Dr. Rakesh Madhyastha (1 hour later)

Thank you.

The test I had yesterday, the EMG, also included a Nerve Conduction Study - all of which cam e back normal. Right now, my right hand is ice cold. The finger tips hurt, and the only way to describe the pain is the feeling of a slice through the tips with a really sharp knife. This is while taking the Norvasc. The fingers are much more scaly and dry (rough to the touch) compared to my left hand.

Do you think I should be going to a Rheumatologist - would that be the right specialist to see?

It is very difficult because I type all day long for a living, and have been for 30 years...

Answered by Dr. Rakesh Madhyastha (8 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Rheumatologist is the right specialist to approch

Detailed Answer:
Hello

Thanks for the query

For this type of issue I recommend two specialists. First rheumatologist and also vascular surgeons.

Keep yourself warm with 2-3 folds gloves. Wearing heated gloves can also help.Touching something warm can also help relieve you of symptoms You could also try the medication I had recommended earlier.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T