Blood splinters under nails / heart gallops

[JazPont]

Hi guys!

Not been on here for a while! I hope your all okay, ready for Christmas and not suffering to much with your Raynauds.

I’ve had quite a few strep infections the last couple of months. Strep A and Strep C (strep C is rare in humans) I have such a weakened immune system from the medication. I currently have swollen glands and some sort of infection in my throat and have done for about 9 days now! For the last 5 days I’ve had racing heart, a resting rate of 112, no lower. I’ve had gallops in my heart rhythm and ECG showed tachycardia and Fibrillation. I’ve got blood splinters under my nails, however I’ve had the blood splinters for weeks !! I’ve also had severe rash over the last two weeks too, I had my blood cultures done last night to test for Endocarditis (a serious infection in the heart) I have to go back to hosp for results on Friday and if the bacteria has grown, I will have to be admitted into hospital for 6 weeks for intravenous antibiotics, which means being in hospital on Christmas Day!

Question - I also read that scleroderma can cause blood splinters, I’m hoping that’s what has caused the splinters ? Also, has anyone had any heart complications with SS ? I’ve got really bad Livedo Reticularis too, so I know I’ve got poor circulation as it is. My blood pressure is always around 150/93. The other day it was 168/107 !! I’m 26 and 57kg and my blood preasssure should be around 120/80.

Thank you all xx

[Winfield1]

Hi

Sorry you're having all this to cope with right now, I've been reading your other posts over the last few weeks and hoping your doctor's are helping and supporting you.

I have SS, severe raynauds, MCTD and srogrens - I've just had an ecg for palpitations (was hoping it was just stress related ) but it has shown up an issue with my upper heart ventricles??? - I am awaiting an echo of my heart, the results of a 5 day holter monitor (heart rate) and the results of a chest X-ray - I believe the gp thinks it could be heart or lung issues which are related to SS - I see my rheumatologist tomorrow so will find out more then.

I am dreading it - will let you know how I get on.

Oh and my legs look like that some days too - I get it also on my upper arms and faintly on my stomach

[JazPont in reply to Winfield1]

Hey Winfield1 !! How did you get on with your rheumy today ? I’m hoping you got some good news?!

Yes I have read that heart and lung are major complications of SS, I’m having a 24 hour loop ECG attached tomorrow.

My problem is because of my age, no one is taking my heart palps and blood pressure seriously! They keep saying I’m suffering anxiety! I’m the most laid back chilled out person ever!! Even my family say I need to worry more ha!

I am getting somewhere though and taken a bit more seriously, only becuz of the proof on the paper mind !!

Please let me know how you get on

Lots of love xxx

[Rollcage]

Hi JazPont

Sounds as if you have a lot to deal with. How are you managing the symptoms [of your Raynauds]? Medication or just keeping warm?

[JazPont in reply to Rollcage]

Hi Rollcage ... I’m not calcium blockers or anything. Just keeping warm.

My rheumy only just medicated me, steroids and hydroxy 4 weeks ago, I have another app in 1 week. He tested my TPMT so I believe he will put me on immunosuppressants at the next app ... the meds he gave me last time havnt even touched the sides and I’m getting worse not better xx

[Rollcage in reply to JazPont]

Hey, thanks for replying.

I see. I'm doing the same as you (just keeping warm). I refuse to go on meds as I'm concerned about the side effects. I've been living with it for four years now (symptoms started when I was 26/27).

It's a difficult condition to live with, particularly during the winter months. I get many more cold/numb triggers since the temperatures dropped. I've recently started using a hair dryer to rapidly reheat my feet to minimise damage.

It must be hard for you to deal with uncertainty surrounding your health, especially at this time of the year. The hospital or doctor's surgery is the last place most people would want to be around Christmas.