Question
Sorry to bother you again.  I got my results back.  CBC was normal, Thyroid was normal, Metabolic panel was normal but ANA was positive.  I don't have any of the numbers since she called right before I got off work.  I only spoke to the nurse that drew my blood, my doctor was out. I am planning on calling my doctor tomorrow to speak to her about my results.  I will be getting a referral to a rheumatoid doctor? What do you suggest that I do next?  Do you know of any specialists in the Atlanta, GA area?  What are the possibilites?  I'm so terrified of Scleroderma and Lupus.  I have been experiencing dry mouth and dry vaginal areas for a few years too.  After reading all of the possibilties what are the chances of survival-I mean I'm only 29 yrs. old.
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Followup To

Question -
Sorry to bother you again but I went to see my doctor's nurse practiner today since my doctor wasn't in.  I was totally paniced when I got there.  My right foot heel started going numb while I was driving over there and then my toes on both feet started tingling and going a little numb but weren't really white or blue, I checked while I was in the waiting room.  Well she came in and off the bat I started telling her I noticed sometimes last winter that some of my fingers and thumbs would turn white and I would have to warm them under water and other times it went away in a matter of minutes and my feet issues would pretty much go away after getting off my feet and that it hasn't really happened since other than a few days ago when I was gripping something and both of my thumbs went white and numb. And sometimes when I wear boots or plattform scandals my toes and my heels will go numb. I also told her I suffer from anxiety and was freaking out.  I asked her about Raynaud's and she said that she really didn't know much about that and that she would have to check to see what tests needed to be ran for that.  Then I asked her about Scleroderma and she didn't know much about that either.  She had to go look it up.  She couldn't say that if I had Raynaud's or not.  She couldn't tell me what my chances are of having Scleroderma were.  She did look at my hands and felt them.  She did this thing were I had to make a fist while she applied pressure to both of wrist and then open my hand I guess to see how long it took for the color to come back to normal.  The longest time was 11 seconds on my right hand and I think it was 9 seconds on my left hand.  She touched and looked at my left foot and my toes were a little white and cold but not numb and my right foot toes were bluish and cold but not numb. During all of this I was on the verge of a panic attack.  In you professional opinion does this mean anything significant?  The blood test that they are doing are: Arthritis panel, CBC and thyroid, should get results Monday. Since I've started worrying so much I have been experiencing burning sensations over my hands, arms, feet, calves along with calmy sweats, dry mouth, feels like my heart is coming out of my chest, diarhera, muscle twitches here and there, impending fear of death, extremely cold in my hands and feet (wasn't like this before last Friday), constantly looking at my hands, face and I could go on and on. I did do a ice water test last night on my hands which I told my practioner about.  I submerged each hand in water at different times for almost 2 minutes each time and they were cold but there was no real color changes like white or blue and no numbness, they only tingled alittle.  Does that mean anything?  Also I noticed lately since all this started that when I'm typing all day at work my hands will tingle off and on.  She said that I didn't have carpnel tunnel. I have had 2 ganglion cysts removed from my right wrist about 4-5 years ago. In your opinion from what I have told you, do you know what my chances are of having Scleroderma (I know you can't tell me w/out examing me)? I'm trying not to freak out and not obessive over the internet, hopefully all of this is anxiety related.  She did state at the bottom of my work up "Parasthesia (either says with numbness or between thumbs-can't really read that part) r/o Raynaud's syndrome?" She also asked me if my hands or feet feel swollen or puffy or any joint pain - NO.  Please be patient with me and sorry for being so long, I just don't know who to ask and I feel like I didn't get any answers today.  Thank you tremedously for your time, I really do appreciate it.
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Followup To

Question -
Bit of background, I'm 29 yr. old female. Have huge level of anxiety and obessive complusive disorder. Anyway, over a year ago I noticed when it was winter time that sometimes my fingers would turn white and be numb so I would have to run my hands under cold water and they would turn back red and be tingly. Also, certain toes would feel numb as well but they returned back to normal once I got inside. It seemed to only happen when I would go get the mail at the post office when I was at work and when I was wearing mid heel boots. I didn't think to much about, just thought it was related to the cold temperatures. It was very sporiadic. I do type all day at work too, don't know if that makes a difference or not. I have also noticed that sometimes when I grip something really hard, it can trigger it too but I can just pop my fingers or move my wrist in circular motions and it goes back to normal. Have no tingly or numbness on ears, cheeks, tongue. Well yesterday I was looking on the internet and I came across Raynaud's disease, I can deal with that. But after looking some more I came across Sclerodema and I am freakin out! I have no symptoms of Sclerodema, no thickening of the skin or curling on my fingers, no puffiness, no trouble making a fist, no calicum deposit under skin,no red spots, no heartburn, nothing that they describe. My questions are: Since its been a little over a year since this started what are my chances of having this deadly Sclerodema? Can one have only Raynaud's symptom and still have Sclerodema? Should one exhibit the tightening of the skin, curling, etc... first and then Raynaud's when having Sclerodema? Should I consult my doctor right away, we just changed insurance and waiting on that to take effect? I am so scared, I'm only 29 and my husband and I are trying to get pregnant too. Please advise and thank you for your time. I haven't had any espisodes since last winter. Also with my feet I remember that even the heels (especially when I was wearing boots) of my feet would feel numb but would go back to normal after getting off my feet. Could it have something to do with nerves or anxiety? Do I have a great chance of having Scleroderma without having any other symptoms after a year now? To have Scleroderma does Raynaud's have to occur in either both hands or both feet? I have read numerous wed sites that have stated that to have Scleroderma, Raynaud's shows as being in either both hands or both feet. To have primary Raynaud's meant having in both hands and both feet at same time. I have also read that Scleroderma, Raynaud's shows as having hand and feet on one side only. Honestly, I can't remember if it was in both hands and feet at same time or both hands and one foot, etc... I guess I would just like to know what other possibilites there might be other than Scleroderma. I can deal with it if it just primary Raynaud's. Please help clairify (mispelled?) and if there might be any other possibilities. I'm so terrified!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Answer -
Hi,
It sounds as if this may or may not be Raynaud's phenomenon, but is not clear. Temperature variations, anxiety and other sleep or nutritional factors may also be at play. Scleroderma is possible but probably a long shot. It never hurts to consult with your family doctor just to reassure yourself that there is nothing progressive going on here, especially since the frequency and severity of the condition is not increasing recently. Sometimes one's worst enemy is simply thinking of the worst, particularly when one is compulsive in nature. It may merely be a combination of nervous situations, so pass it on to the physician and get some reassurance. It does not sound as if there is anything to be terrified of. Best wishes.

Answer -
Hi,

You doctor will probably be informed from the nurse practitioner about your symptoms and the tests that were ordered. When the results return, there should be a better indication of your condition, and if possible, try to speak to the doctor directly. I am sure the nurse also noted your concern and will probably relay this to the doctor, and perhaps you can also ask for a little extra time to talk and alleviate fears upon his/her return.

Answer
Hi,

It seems as if your doctor's office is working on the situation. Being referred to a rheumatologist for an opinion is always a good precaution.  They have not apparently suggested anything awful at this point and your doctor will probably outline the possibilities when you speak. Listen to what she has to say and ask questions, as all your questions are valid and I'm sure she will take the time to patiently explain the scenerio to you once all the results are in.