 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Nov 2002 Posts: 3,552 | Hi Cathy,
In the medical dictionary there is a Raynaud's Disease and a Raynaud's phenomomen.
It could be related to a peripheral vascular disorder (more common in females 18-30) and it can also be caused by exposure to cold or emotional stress.
It states that 2 years of symptoms are required for an accurate diagnosis.
Prognosis: Attacks persist but can be controlled. No serious disability develops, but this condition is sometimes associated with the development of rheumatoid arthritis or schleroderma.
Treatment: Maintenance of warmth of extremities by wearing wool gloves, socks, avoidance of contact with cold materials, avoidance of use of tobacco. Vasodilators and tranquilizers may be helpful.
(source - Taber's cyclopedic medical dictionary)
Gary Allsebrook
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Dx 11/22/02, SCC, 6 x 3 cm Polypoid tumor, rt tonsil, Stage III/IVA, T3N0M0 G1/2
Tx 1/28/03 - 3/19/03, Cisplatin ct x2, IMRT, bilateral, with boost, x35(69.96Gy)
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"You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes" (James 4:14 NIV)
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