[anim0sitee]

For several weeks my mom was having pain in her index finger, as well as a slight discoloration. At times it was normal & healthy looking, then it would suddenly turn a deep, blue purple. She visited her physician where she was told it was Reynaud's and sent home with orders to take loritab, chantix (to help her quit smoking and improve blood flow), and a blood pressure pill and told to make an appointment with a vascular specialist. By last week her finger was hurting so bad she was no longer able to sleep for long periods and she described it as literally screaming. She attempted to make an appointment with the specialist but was told it wasn't life threatning and they would fit her in - they didn't & didn't seem concerned even though now her finger was deep, dark purple. Tonite after close to 3 weeks we've convinced her to stop waiting and go to the ER with it. It looks quite dead to me on the tip and no amount of pain medication is helping what she describes as "hot & cold ice picks going through it". Any thoughts fellow DR members?

This is the only pic i thought to snap through this ordeal. (Hoping i did this right! it's my first official post!)

[Darkest Angel]

Please take her to ER! Does not look good and she is hurting

[anim0sitee]

She went & they sent her home with an antibiotic & calcium channel blockers. She said her ER nurse was wonderful but our local hospital isn't quite what it should be.

[Rusty666]

ouch

[Spiffyfable]

Clubbed fingers

Can be an Early sign of Heart Disease and poor circulation... sorry!

Best thing she can do (After seeing the Doctors) is cutting ALL meat and Dairy out of her Diet. Hard Yes, Live Longer Yes

[anim0sitee]

Going to have to give clubbed fingers a google! Thanks for the suggestions, also!

The staff in the ER seemed to think it's vascular (particularly Reynaud's). Especially because of pain when it goes from "normal" (like above) to the deep, dark purple. The nurse said it's probably pain from being engorged with blood after so little.

[DiamondSmiles]

Thank goodness my doctors usually take me when necessary.

I wouldn't have waited three weeks. I would have gone to the ER right away.

I hope it clears up and she gets a curable diagnosis.

[Sharon]

Your first post has been of great interest, thanks for sharing your poor mum's ordeal! If that were me, I would not give my clinician peace until I have a concrete diagnosis and good treatment plan. It does indeed look like Raynaud's Syndrome, where the blood goes to your hands and fingers for some reason. Am on mobile and can't do any helpful Googling! I wish her the very best of luck. Take no shit and be insistent! Is she on anti-inflammatories for the pain?

[Dynamo47]

Thanks for sharing. My first thought was definitely a circulatory issue possibly an onset of diabetes?

[ChristySD]

I have to agree with everyone and say it definitely looks like Raynaud's, especially with the "marbling" effect going down towards the palmar region. It can hurt like a bitch like you have stated. It may sound silly, but I have found that taking a pair of thick socks and putting them on my hands and rubbing them together helps (not when they are hurting, though!). My one question is, on the "pointer finger", is that a blister of sorts? You may have mentioned it, but I didn't see it when I scanned. If it is, that answers a few other questions I have brewing. The antibiotics will clear it up, though. Has she had a history of cardiac or respiratory problems (not related to smoking)? I did want to say that I am glad that she did not wait around and went ahead to urgent care/emergency services. Hope she starts feeling better.