i first went to the doctors in february with pins and needles and numbness in my feet i had blood tests all clear my fingers had been going

[stuartw]

white and numb but i put that down to working in a cold garage as there was no heating over the worst of last winter and i still had to work i was diagnosed with raynauds a month ago as my fingers had been going white and numb all summer blood tests were repeated still clear but my feet are still numb with pins and needles sometimes my right foot feels like it is burning a bit and i get bad cramp sometimes at night could this be raynauds or something else my doctor told me to stop thinking about aches and pains and learn to live with it not the answer i wanted can anybody shed any light please

[zenabb]

You say that you have seen a doctor but was it a rheumatologist? Is it the rheumatologist that could not diagnose you? Perhaps you could speak to a special nurse. The Raynaud's and Scleroderma Association could help you to identify one near you.

[stuartw in reply to zenabb]

the doctor is just a gp i went back to see him yesterday as he had given me nifedipine to try for a month to try since taking them i had had 3 attacks in the month with my hands as apposed to nearly every day before medecation it was n h s direct that diagnosed me and the doctor said yesterday when i went to him he did not think i had raynauds but gave the medication to see what happend so i have not seen anybody that actually knows anything about the condition

[zenabb in reply to stuartw]

Ask to be referred to a rheumatologist. You have the right.

[Yorky]

Fingers going white and numb certainly sounds like Raynauds. I'm not sure what blood tests you had, didn't think that there were any for Raynuads. There are certainly blood tests for Scleroderma, but most people with Raynauds do not have this. I find that a large glass of tonic water in the evening (with or without the gin) greatly reduces the night cramps, make sure that it contains quinne - schweppes does. Your feet sound the same as mine and I definitely have Raynauds. I think that you need another opinion.

[stuartw in reply to Yorky]

the doctor told me yesterday the blood tests were to rule out diabetus or anything else he has given me 2 months supply of nifedipine and told me to go back in 2 months if my feet are no better but dos not know what is rong with them he said it could be perifferal nerve damage and was on about some sort of electrical nerve test

[faith89]

Of course only a Dr. can diagnose certain disorders, but I've found allot of info and support in this group. I also have numbness and tingling in my feet. They also burn, throb and the balls of my feet and toes are somewhat swollen and painful. I have peripheral neuropathy (from chemo drugs) and Raynaunds as well. It's hard to know whether or not the pain is from the Raynaunds or the neuropathy. I'm sure for me, it's from both.I asked my neurologist if he would treat me any differently based on the results of the EMG (nerve) test which I've had on my back in the past and found it painful.

He said no, so I refused the test. We all have to follow our own path when it comes to treatment for sure, but I'm sure you'll find info and support here from those of us who are going through the same thing as you are.

Good luck,

Faith