Raynaud's syndrome and RSD?

jodom1979 · 05-26-2007, 12:25 PM

Is it possibble to have both? My uncle is a MD down in FL and has been kinda following my case. He called me this morning and asked if I have also been tested for raynaud's syndrome. Though he truly believes I have RSD but he also thinks from the pic's I sent to him i might have the syndrome too. He gave me a run down on it and sent me to a web site that has pictures of this too.

I did tell him im on the maximum does of tenex and wear a catapress patch wich both are BP lowering meds. Even though I do all this my BP runs in the 150/110 range. My liver/kidney function is within normal range for those that want to point in that direction. He said to be on stronger Bp meds and if my docs had Q's to give him a call as he treats it everyday. Im afraid of Stroke. running this high is a death sentence. My PM said put on a second patch but watch as that i dont bottom out. It was my understanding that catapress is pretty much the most violent bp med out there as far as lowering it.

BTW, Raynaud's syndrome is when your blood vessels in your extremeties spasm and constrict leading to purple cold feet and hands causing possible neuro damage and pain.

Jon

sharon1030 · 05-26-2007, 08:28 PM

Hi Jon,

I would think that it would be hard to tell the difference between Raynaud's and RSD....a lot of the same signs and symptoms (color changes, pain). Who knows?

About the BP...I've also had problems with it. One time it was 190 over something while in the doc's office so he put me on a BP med. I was fine on it for a while and then all of a sudden, one day I passed out because it was too low. I think the RSD can cause it to be very volatile, you know? So, if that's the case, it can be hard to treat because you never know where it's going to be at different points. It's all SO frustrating!

Hang in there!

Sharon

jaxobean · 05-26-2007, 09:48 PM

Jon and Sharon,
I too was diagnosed with Raynaud's and have had blood pressure problems- maybe they do have something to do with having rsd. I once went to a psyaitrist (have no idea how to spell it), but he said I had it along with the rsd and I have been on blood pressure medicine and now I am off because it was in normal range. I have been off of the bp meds. for a while and I have a home testing cuff and monitor it from time to time. It has been fine, but when I went to the pain clinic 2 weeks ago it was high again and I have never had a problem with my pb until I had rsd. They kept telling me it was because I was in pain and that naturally raises it.
Jon do you know if it is possible to have both or if there is any way to test for it? I wonder what made my doc diagnose me with both. I smoke and I know that is horrible for nerve problems and raynauds but these days it is the only thing that relaxes me and I know that sounds so ignorant, but quitting is so hard right now. If you guys get any more info please let me know...thanks Nikki

jodom1979 · 05-27-2007, 10:06 AM

hey jaxo

Im not sure on the test part. Im thinking there is a way to test for this but im not sure how they could possibly differentiate between the two. my left leg (affected) is always purple mostly in the knee and top of my foot. I think what he was getting at was my right foot is also slightly purple but not nearly as bad. I dont have any pain or wierdness happening over their yet and pray nothing does. I am though going to bring it up to my pm doc and see what she says. Regardless I always get a call on memorial day from him. have ever since I got home. I will bring it up and see what he says

Yes, I too smoke and get chewed out by my fiance,doctors and my uncle. I know they all have valid points especially on the RSD issue. One thing that is intersting I have learned is what it is like from a Md's perspective, is what it is like to treat a CP paitent but i guess that should be a different post.

I want to quit smoking but its been my crutch through stressful situations and like you, really relaxes me. If this nerve ablation goes well (the temporary type) and I lower my meds im going to go for it. With smoking its all or nothing for me.

Jon

jodom1979 · 05-27-2007, 10:15 AM

hey sharon! been a little while

Yeah the bp even when my pain is low runs high. im usually in the 120/80 range wich I assume is normal. But on 3mg's (max) of tenex and .1 of clonidine you would think my bp would fall a little bit.. From my memmory this didnt start until after the rsd buisness went on. it just goes crazy Im going to ask for oral clonidine and take it that way versus transdermal and see if that works or not.

jon