Neuropathy - Raynauds?

[SjoGirl]

So I'm sure a number of people on this site suffer from neuropathy. Long story short last time I saw my rheumy he was checking legs and feet and my toes were numb on my left foot.

I had a regularly scheduled follow up with my neurologist today, he thinks it could be from my cervical spine or stenosis or lumbar discs or maybe a separate neuropathy (possibly related to my Raynauds). Do any of you with Raynauds find that you also have neuropathy and has it been tied back to your Raynaud's.

So more testing this time lower lumbar MRI (the one part of my spine that hasn't been tested). I refused nerve conduction testing, waaaaayyy too painful the other time I had it.

Sigh.

[warmwaters]

It's my understanding that Raynaud's and neuropathy are separate phenomena. Raynaud's is vascular constriction which causes the blue coloration and sense of coldness. Neuropathy is nerve damage - in the case of autoimmune disorders, it's often damage caused by inflammation.

They can co-exist in people with autoimmune disorders, but my understanding is that it's not a causality link between neuropathy and Raynaud's.

Perhaps someone else knows more?

[gurs]

I think my overall neuropathy is from the raynauds, thus lack of bloodflow causing the pins and needles. I seem to break small blood vessels over my entire body all the time. I just went outside in the extreme heat, and my chest has some broken blood vessels. I do think its blood flow-lack of it. I had testing and all seems to be flowing right? doesn't make sense.

Gursie

[rnathans]

I agree with warm waters. Two separate issues. Raynauds does not cause neuropathy or vice versa.

[SjoGirl]

Thanks. The neuropathy may be separate from everything else, we'll know more after I have my lower lumbar MRI. If it is separate will be yet another thing. At least it's only in my toes at this point.

That said, I'm still standing and able to work and take care of my home so I am blessed.

Thanks again.