Poor Circulation

[AngelsSix]

Gents,

If this is in the wrong forum, I do apologise.

I wanted to know if there is a solution for poor circulation in the extremeties. I can't handle temps below 70 most days (usually have a sweatshirt on), and being outside in temps below 50 leaves my hands numb. If it is below 40, the tips of my fingers hurt so bad, I would think I had frostbite, even though I know that isn't possible in 30 min. My feet are cold no matter what temp it is.
The doctors I have seen don't seem to have an interest in investigating.
Thanks!!

[Penn]

Angle 6, I am going for a MRI for the same condition this friday. One of the vains in my leg is closed or closing. That's the deal. You may not have that condition but if the doctors you are seeing are disinterested, GET NEW DOCTORS ASAP. I'm told they will blow it out or do a bypass.

[clapdoc]

Angel 6,
I too have some of your problems, I am having a MRI next
thursday to help find the problem. My Dr. thinks I may have nerve damage in my neck that makes my fingers feel so cold. I wear gloves if the temp is below 65. Get some new doctors. ASAP


clapdoc sends.

[Red Flag 1]

Angels 6,

Penn & Clap are right...get a new doc! My training and practice has been in anesthesia. What you say about your "poor circulation" should be worked up. Two things come to mind; Raynaud's Disease/Phenomenon, and Scleroderma. Raynauds shows up 60-90% of the time in young women. In Raynauds, spasms of the small arteries in the fingers and toes come on rapidly after exposure to cold. It can be associated with many things such as Scleroderma, nerve disorders, rhemutoid arthritis, thyroid disorders, injury, and some perscription medicines.

I would advise against this being "blown off". Take some time to network with friends to find a reccomended doc. Get this worked up Angel and find a diagnosis.

RF 1

[AngelsSix]

Thanks for your concern and replies. I am going to try and get an appointment with my civilian provider next week. I have been having some other problems lately, my blood pressure is low, and I keep getting lights flashing in my vision after I bend over.

Thanks!!

[swatsurgeon]

The difficulty lies in deciding which part of the circulatory system is out of wack....arterial, venous, lymphatic, or organ system that can be manifest by 'circulatory' issues: cardiac, hepatic, endocrine. Some connective tissue problems as mentioned can be related to circ problems...again the exact part needs to be defined.
Are pulses present, is there capillary refill and venous flow, are the nodes palpable. A vascular surgeon is not a bad way to start if the primary doc has no clue.
ss

[Team Sergeant]

The difficulty lies in deciding which part of the circulatory system is out of wack....arterial, venous, lymphatic, or organ system that can be manifest by 'circulatory' issues: cardiac, hepatic, endocrine. Some connective tissue problems as mentioned can be related to circ problems...again the exact part needs to be defined.
Are pulses present, is there capillary refill and venous flow, are the nodes palpable. A vascular surgeon is not a bad way to start if the primary doc has no clue.
ss


AngelsSix,

Read Swatsurgeons post and heed his advice.;)

Team Sergeant

[AngelsSix]

Yes, sir!! When we going to do some shooting?? You might need to head to Bragg for a conference or something!!:D

[AngelsSix]

Went to Clark clinic, apparently they didn't feel concerned enough to do anything. Guess I lived this long, I will just press on!!

[Penn]

Angle Six, I just returned from Columbia-Presbyterian Cornell Weil medical center here in NYC.
I have the exact same situation. Here is what my doctors did
1. Meet with my cardiologist
2. Meet with the head of vascular surgery
3. Complete body blood pressure test
4. Echo cardiogram
5. Nuclear Heart scan
6. Chemical stress test.
7. Will meet with vascular surgery Head who will speak with my cardiologist and the Doc that set all this in motion. I expect them to go into my left leg within the month of May to correct me to 100% full running ability. ( My goal 2miles in 15 mikes)
Get new DOCTORS. If you want the medical definitions I ask my doc to copy the T & P for you. You can present them to your doctors and tell them to run the same firkin test. There is no excuse for not being able to address this minor problem. Even if they have to cut you and do a bypass on your leg. This is the correct set of steps they should take to help you.

Forgot to add they did a full cat scan on both legs

[Semper gumby]

At the very least it IMHO it sounds like at least you need to get some vascular testing done. (segmental pressures, with waveforms and ABI, or arterial brachial index) They can also do some testing with and without cold stimulus to see if it is an arterial spasm due to cold conditions. That is the LEAST they could do for your symptoms...

I agree, not having your doctors do anything might be a really, really bad idea. You may need to look elsewhere...If you have any questions about the test(s) I mentioned above, PM me, and I'll give you the particulars. (I'm a RVT/ Vascular sonographer, and perform these tests...)

Respectfully,
SG

[kgoerz]

I wanted to know if there is a solution for poor circulation in the extremities.

VIAGRA:eek:

[AngelsSix]

He said VIAGRA, LMAO!!!:p

[Doczilla]

I concur with the recommendation for a vascular surgeon. There could be a number of issues here:
Poor flow/obstruction through the arterial system
- obstruction, such as cholesterol plaques in the arteries, which is treatable with statins like Lipitor or Zocor.
- vasospasm, where the arteries close down with various stimuli (like cold weather), which is treatable with vasodilators.
Poor flow/obstruction of venous system for a variety of reasons, treated with TED hose, PT, and possibly surgery.
Poor flow through the lymphatics, caused by lots of things.

I agree that a vascular surgeon would be able to tease these out and order appropriate testing.

'zilla