Reynard's disease

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Permalink Reply by Unicornzzz on October 23, 2008 at 11:43am

Yes it is a side effect of being a diabetic and it is very painful. I got diagnose with my diabetes because I had a frozen shoulder. I was given a cortisone shot for the pain and then my doctor at the time decided to do a blood test to see what my sugar levels were. Right now I am having problems with my right thumb. The only thing that has been able to help me is to keep my sugar levels as low as possible while the frozen muscles flare up. Cold weather or changing of weather seems to make it worse in my case.

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Permalink Reply by Lisa Ritchie on October 23, 2008 at 1:32pm

yes, the cold does seem to worsen the symptoms. I tried physical therapy for a brief stint, helped SLIGHTLY but the co-pays were adding up and I had to stop. I guess it could be worse, right? I've also been trying glycosamine/condroitin supplements and magnesium. Seems to help along with massage.

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Permalink Reply by Gina on October 23, 2008 at 1:54pm

Hi Lisa, I have Reynard (and my mom) and I am wondering if my kids have it also. For me, it's my fingers, my toes, my nose and I won't say where else ;) They freeze when it's a little bit colder. I found some things that help though, decide for yourself if it's worth a try or not! First, I asked a the health food store and they told me (which I bought and tried) some Cayenne Pepper supplements, they did work but I had such an upset stomach after (acid reflux), that I'd rather have all my extremities be cold than to have heartburn.

The other one that worked for me is good for the soul ;) But I don't practice anymore. During wintertime, I was invited by a friend to go to a Tai Chi class (I think it's written that way...). So my fingers, toes and other places were whitish and frozen (that makes me cold all over), after doing their routine for 5 minutes, my hands were completely warm and I felt good all over. I took courses for one year but did not practice by myself. That was several years ago.

My doctor told me to open and close my hands (open my hand and then make a fist) several times in a row to warm them up, that did not work as well as the other two to warm my hands up.

Hope this helps for Reynard's... Take care,

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Permalink Reply by Ryan McCombs on January 1, 2009 at 6:24pm

I have a grandmother and aunt with Reynaud's syndrome and I suspect I may have it as well. When I get stressed out or my extremities become very cold, my toes, heels, and fingers turns completely white and go numb. I usually have to put them under warm water and massage them to get the blood flowing again. I have seen a rheumatologist who wants to blame it on peripheral neuropathy, but this started happening within a month of being diagnosed with Type I. My endocrinologist says they hardly ever see peripheral neuropathy in Type I's with tight control, let alone those that were only diagnosed a month ago. Do you have any relatives that suffer from the same symptoms? Reynaud's can be passed down through genetics.

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Permalink Reply by Deirdre on January 1, 2009 at 6:38pm

I read some where, and never remember this when I should, that if you keep you torso warm (love my down vest) it gets the warm blood flowing to your hands and feet. Also be careful if you run you hands and feet under hot water. If they are numb, you may not realize how hot the water is

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Permalink Reply by Anthony Holko on January 6, 2009 at 1:54pm

Dear Ryan.

I think the endo is right neuropathy takes some work to develop. My case described below could possibly be since I have had diabetes for 11 years and most green Doctor's will say obviously neuropathy. Well why would the numbness only occur lying down and not when in an upright position?

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Permalink Reply by Jill Hartley on January 1, 2009 at 6:45pm

this usually happens to me but on my feet, any temperature change just make them go crazy, one minute they'll be cold and white and the next minute they'll be red and burning; someone had suggested it could possibly be reynard's because i really think i'm too young and controlled to have neuropathy :S

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Permalink Reply by Libby on January 4, 2009 at 3:44pm

I had some problems with Reynaud's a few months ago, also frozen shoulder (both), and joint pain in several other places. After getting diagnosed with carpal tunnel, inflammation of the knee and plantar fasciitis (sp) I figured perhaps all this stuff was connected. I have since realized that it is all autoimmune-related inflammation and since going gluten free I have got considerable relief. Just got back from a trip where I was unable to stay on my diet and the stiffness came back so badly that I am convinced it is worth it to stay away from wheat. Any one else have this connection?

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Permalink Reply by Anthony Holko on January 6, 2009 at 1:47pm

Dear Lisa.

What you describe is called Reynaud's syndrome. The is an interesting article in wikipedia on this and a possible temporary relief. I think it said a 2 part medication like epoxy that was composed of sodium nitrite and vitamin C you mix the 2 components and apply to the affected area. It probably works by releasing NO like nitroglycerine pills for angina and apparently increase the circulation in the affected area 3 fold.

I used to get the problem very badly when I was taking a low dose of tricyclic anti-depressant a beneficial effect was that it also unplugged my nose but gave severe Reynaud's and possible heart problems. Did not do anything for depression. I think other medication containing amines like decongestant, gravol, anti-histamines. Look at what you are taking and if an ingredient ends with amine it can contribute to the problem.

Now my hands go numb if I try to sleep with the hands higher than the heart. But otherwise during waking hours they are fine actually I went ice fishing and was not wearing gloves and even showelled out some small ice particles with my bare hands something that would have been unthinkable with the syndrome.

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Permalink Reply by Judith on January 6, 2009 at 2:40pm

Anyone thought to try the peppers extenally?! I get help for cold extremities as well as achey, arthritic knees and tendonitis in elbow from the following cream: Natureworks Swedish Bitters Capsaicin Cream. Be careful in application if you have any cuts---just that it stings, as you can imagine. But you can feel the heat fairly quickly.....

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Permalink Reply by yannah on January 6, 2009 at 3:08pm

I was just diagnosed with Raynauds last week. I don't know what is going on. started having twitching in my legs in sept, numb toe in november, blue toes in december. Had an EMG, normal. had pulse pressure test, normal.
blueness only comes with cold. then they turn bright red. I am on a calcium channel blocker for it.

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Permalink Reply by Linda Gauvin-Miller on April 24, 2009 at 5:00pm

Greetings!! I too have Raynaud....but lately have discovered another "interesting" addition! When even moderatly cold...I'll develop a red rash...usually on the length of my forearm with water filled blisters!!! HHmmm....what IS that?

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