05-07-21, 07:40 PM | |
Join Date: Nov 2001
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Could you have chilblains? I have chilblains on my fingers and it sounds a little similar to what you're experiencing.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chilblains Erica |
05-08-21, 08:33 AM | ||
VF Supporter
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Buffalo, NY
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Quote:
It sounds to me like you have a classic case of chilblains, brought about by the frostbite. It is amazing how many doctors (GPs and internal medicine) are unaware of chilblains. Podiatrists see them frequently, in cold climates. If you are currently seeing a podiatrist who is unaware of chilblains, I'd find another one. I have Reynaud's syndrome, a circulatory disorder which makes me prone to purple, swollen fingertips and toe tips when my hands and feet are cold. My Reynaud's was diagnosed by a rheumatologist, decades ago. Reynaud's can cause chilblains, and has done so with me. The chilblains have been exacerbated by moving to a cold climate. This past winter my hands were okay, but I got bad chilblains on my big toes and second toes on both feet. The swelling made my skin split, causing open sores. It has taken a long time for that to heal, and I still have residual purpleness. I am NEVER without warm socks and shoes/slippers inside the house. I wear warm socks to bed year-round. The only time my feet are uncovered is when I shower. But that has not proven to be sufficient. So I will be seeing a doctor, armed with photos I took when the swelling was bad. I want to get some sort of pharmaceutical intervention that will open the vasoconstrictors in my capillaries that stops the flow of blood to my extremities. Vasoconstriction causes the purpleness and swelling. Get this seen to, because chilblains are more than an annoyance. They can seriously impact your quality of life.
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Betsy There is no way of telling people they are all walking around shining like the sun--Thomas Merton People have done all kinds of remarkable things because they thought they could. People routinely fail to do quite ordinary things because they assume they can't--Reinhard Engels Stay gold, Ponyboy--S.E. Hinton Pick up your crazy heart and give it one more try--Ryan Bingham Disclosure: I have a personal relationship with a fitness instructor who has appeared in some videos. Last edited by eam531; 05-08-21 at 08:34 AM. Reason: grammar |
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05-08-21, 02:30 PM | ||
VF Supporter
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Buffalo, NY
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Quote:
The rheumatologist I consulted all those years ago suggested meds, but also noted that my BP is low, and as you said, these meds lower one's BP. So his suggestion was to always keep my feet covered, which I have been doing. Except now that isn't enough. I was hoping that a different med would have come along in the interim. Maybe I need electric socks. :-)
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Betsy There is no way of telling people they are all walking around shining like the sun--Thomas Merton People have done all kinds of remarkable things because they thought they could. People routinely fail to do quite ordinary things because they assume they can't--Reinhard Engels Stay gold, Ponyboy--S.E. Hinton Pick up your crazy heart and give it one more try--Ryan Bingham Disclosure: I have a personal relationship with a fitness instructor who has appeared in some videos. |
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05-08-21, 07:40 PM | |
Join Date: Nov 2005
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Thanks for all of your replies. I am getting medical attention for this. I've seen my GP several times plus a podiatrist plus a dermatologist. My GP thinks it may be Raynaud's, the podiatrist said it could be "complex regional pain syndrome", and the dermatologist thought it was chillblains although I have never had any sores or cracked skin. None of this was a problem until I had frostbite so it has to be related to that. It is affecting my quality of life which is why I'm so frustrated. I'm working with my GP on finding a medication that could improve circulation, but it's challenging because most of the medications lower blood pressure and have a lot of side effects. I have not actually tried any medications yet though.
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