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I have been on a rollercoaster this year, and this is my latest resting stop. I found this site after searching "fingers and toes turn blue" and then found out about Raynaud's. Yesterday, I was sitting at the computer, it was 76F inside. My toes got cold, went numb and turned blue. This happens to me all the time, all my life. And there are worse scenarios.

The point is, I need to find out if I have Raynaud's and if so, what I can do about it, and also if so, how it has affected my two pregnancy losses and what impact if will have on my potential to have a live child. I lost my first pregnancy in February. My dear daughter was stillborn at 26 weeks. There is "no explanation." I have had LOTS of tests... no clotting disorders, no anemia, no thyroid issues, no chromosome problems...the doctors said "it just happens sometimes; it's bad luck." Then I got pregnant this summer and miscarried just before 5 weeks.

Something is not right.

Looking back, during my delivery of my daughter, I had LOTS of "cold issues." It was the worst I ever had in my life. I got freakishly cold (uncontrollable vilolent shivers and chills) from the IV and the meds that I took. I had to have the AC put up to 80F and warm blankets piled on me. This is not normal. I wrote it off to just a panic attack/stress reaction.

But after "connecting the dots" of how I've been cold easily all my life, I think I have Raynaud's. And I think that might have caused issues in my pregnancies (restricting blood flow to the placenta). I am hoping to find some answers.

Anyone else on here suffered pregnancy loss?

Hello Dawnana and welcome to the forum.

I am sorry for your loss. There is an autoimmune disease called antiphospholipid antibody syndrome, APS, which can cause miscarriages. Raynaud's is a symptom of this disease. APS can be primary, but it often occurs with systemic lupus. Were you tested for these antibodies?

I have enclosed a link from the Lupus Foundation of America on APS.
http://www.lupus.org/webmodule...icleid=2302&zoneid=526

Take care.

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Secondary Raynaud's with a connective tissue disease

I'm brand new here, but your post caught my attention. First, I'm so sorry about the loss of your daughter and your other child. I experienced the loss of my first pregnancy, and I know the hurt can feel devastating. The chills you experienced were most likely a result of delivering your baby, not of anything that was necessarily wrong with you or the pregnancy. It's a very normal part of delivery. That said, anytime you're feeling chilled with Raynaud's, it can become a snowball thing where you just get colder and colder. Second, I think the first reply to your post is good advice. Sometimes the Raynaud's shows up long before the disease associated with it. Best to you.

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Shannon
Primary Raynaud's diagnosed in early childhood.
Developed cold urticaria in 2001, and diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis in 2008.

Sarah & chillyhoops, Thank you for the welcome and the feedback. I am looking back through some of the paperwork I got from the doctors, and understanding these tests results is challenging. I'll give it a try...

I had something called DRVVT, Lupus Anticoagulant, Value: 33, Range & Units: <=45 sec. It also says: INTERPRETATION Not indicated. I remember the doctor translating this to me as "negative" meaning that I don't have an issue with this.

I also had something classed Anticardiolipins. It says CARDIOLIPIN ANTIBODY SCREEN NEGATIVE.

I don't see anything saying "APS" or antiphospholipid antibody. Could the test for this be called anything else?

Thanks again. I will see what the link you provided can offer.

Dawnana,

The two tests you mention are tests for APS.

Take care.

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Secondary Raynaud's with a connective tissue disease