Raynaud’s Phenomenon and Lupus

I first realized I had Raynaud’s Phenomenon a few months before I was officially diagnosed with lupus. I first noticed the condition while running the mile in High School on a cold day in February. I noticed my hands did not feel right, and I showed my friend how they started turning blue. Although it seemed off, I didn’t think much of it, but my friend mentioned how her aunt has it and that it could lead to other illnesses. I did not know it yet, but I was about to be diagnosed with not only Raynaud’s Phenomenon but also lupus.

Seeing your fingers and toes changing colors is not a fun sight. It isn’t very comforting at first, especially if you don’t know what Raynaud’s is. I had noticed a few changes in my body, from weakness to joint pain, fatigue, blue fingers, and even my toes turning white while in the shower. I pushed these signs and symptoms off since I was still a teenager. Developing an illness at a young age is scary because those around you expect you to be full of life. You are still learning about your body at a young age, and sometimes you can mistake pain as an everyday occurrence. I did just that, which is probably one reason I was diagnosed with lupus so quickly. Since lupus is mostly an invisible illness, the Raynaud’s got me to the doctor to look further into other possible conditions. 

What is Raynaud’s Syndrome?

Raynaud’s is when the smaller arteries that supply blood to your skin narrow and limit blood flow to your extremities, such as your fingers and toes. This causes a decrease in blood flow to those areas and can even affect other extremities, such as your ears and nose. 

Who is at risk for Raynaud’s?

Raynaud’s can occur as a primary condition, or it can happen secondary to other diseases, including but not limited to:

• Lupus
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Thyroid disorders
• Scleroderma
• Cancer
• Vasculitis
• Sjogren’s Syndrome

Raynaud’s is a common condition, especially if you have another illness. In patients with lupus, around 1 in 3 people have Raynaud’s phenomenon. For the overall population, Raynaud’s affects around 5 to 10% of all Americans, along with up to 20 percent of all women in their childbearing years, according to the Raynaud’s Association.

What are the symptoms of Raynaud’s?

The most common symptoms include fingers or toes that turn purple, blue, or white when exposed to cold or stress. Typically you will see the fingers start as pale or white, and then they’ll adjust to a blue or purple color. As soon as the trigger has passed or the hands are warmed, the fingers will return to normal or even produce a bright red. Raynaud’s can be severe and painful if not dealt with immediately. Like frostbite, you may lose feeling in your fingers, and as they warm, you will feel a painful tingling sensation.

What Can Trigger Raynaud’s?

Raynaud’s does not just occur during the cold seasons. An attack can often arise in cold places such as a grocery store, gym, or doctor’s office. Stress also plays a significant role, and it can trigger an attack. While I was in high school, I had a difficult time playing basketball because my Raynaud’s was constantly going off during practice and games. 

What is the Treatment for Raynaud’s?

There is no cure or specific treatment option for Raynaud’s. The best treatment starts with prevention and for the patient to avoid cold temperatures and manage stress. Medications can be offered to patients with severe Raynaud’s attacks. For this information, I encourage you to speak with a doctor to find a treatment option that is best for you.

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If you would like to learn more about the story of my lupus diagnosis, visit my first blog post here.

DISCLAIMER: This content within this video is not medical advice. The purpose of this content is for general education and to share my own experience. This content should not be used to self-diagnose or self-treat any health condition. Please consult a healthcare professional before attempting anything in this video.