PollyOR Posted May 13, 2010 Share Posted May 13, 2010 My 14yo always had red feet as a child. She wore shorts and sandals all year, so I thought she was just a hot body. Once she hit puberty her feet turned purple. We've mentioned this to her doctor before and he encouraged her to exercise. Today she had a physical and her feet were quite purple. He showed more concern than he has in the past. She's been treated for depression for two years now. She tires easily and sleeps poorly. We've been walking 1 1/2 miles a day six days a week for several weeks now. Any experience with this? Thanks, Polly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slartibartfast Posted May 13, 2010 Share Posted May 13, 2010 He just seemed "concerned" and that's it??? I would make a cardiology appt TODAY and never see that Dr again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted May 13, 2010 Share Posted May 13, 2010 I would worry about circulation problems. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jazzyfizzle Posted May 13, 2010 Share Posted May 13, 2010 I would definitely agree- cardiologist and neurologist need to be seen. I have 2 issues that cause this problem- autonomic diabetic neuropathy and then a blood pressure issue (low). Does it cause her pain? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dansamy Posted May 13, 2010 Share Posted May 13, 2010 Cardiovascular doc and a new pediatrician. Neurology only if cardiology rules out any heart stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ereks mom Posted May 13, 2010 Share Posted May 13, 2010 (edited) Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome, a type of dysautonomia. Besides the purple feet, some of her other symptoms were: fatigue, dizziness/vertigo, anxiety, rapid heart rate, and fainting. In the past, she was treated for anxiety and depression. You can read more about POTS here: Overview Symptoms How is POTS detected? ETA: Apparently, POTS is greatly misunderstood, and a lot of doctors don't know anything about it, so be sure you get in touch with the right doctors when having your dd evaluated. There are few doctors in her area who are familiar with POTS, so my SIL was evaluated over a one-week period this past fall at a large research hospital in another state, and she is doing quite well with managing her symptoms. Edited May 13, 2010 by ereks mom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cjbeach Posted May 13, 2010 Share Posted May 13, 2010 . We've mentioned this to her doctor before and he encouraged her to exercise. Do you need a referral from your doc? I would request the doc for a blood flow studies re: the discoloration at which point he'll probably refer you to a vascular doc (or cardiologist). Any family or friends who could do sitting-standing-lying blood pressure and heart rate checks to ease your mind tonight? Go in to your doc informed: make a list of symptoms, dates when issues started,etc... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PollyOR Posted May 13, 2010 Author Share Posted May 13, 2010 Thank you all. I'm reading and pondering what you have shared. It has been a rough day for me (tired of dd being "sick" and wishing we could return to "normal"), so I appreciate your ideas. :) Yes, we have to have a referral. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janna Posted May 13, 2010 Share Posted May 13, 2010 I am so encouraged to read your post! My daughter has been suffering with purple toes for YEARS now! I have asked about it here, I have Googled, we have seen the Dr. and we've all been very frustrated! Our Dr. originally sent dd for an echocardiogram a few years ago to determine her circulation. Everything was fine. She then referred us to a vascular specialist. We have NOT gone that route. Yet. We just haven't had the funds to do it. Her symptoms are becoming more bothersome though (and she is in the middle of puberty right now), so I keep thinking another trip to the Dr. to verify if a vascular specialist is the right course is in order. Oh, and I will say that we've been told multiple times that it's Reynaud's. It's so NOT Reynaud's. *I* have Reynaud's and I can tell you this is not it. At all. Anyway, her symptoms are a little different. Her toes are *very* purple, they swell to about 3 times their size (only her last 3 toes will do this on one foot, while her last 2 toes do it on the other foot), get *very* hot - inside as well as to the touch - and they itch. Usually Cortisone will help with the itching, but this last time I had to put on prescription cream because the cortisone didn't work. It doesn't take away the swelling, just the itchiness. We're at a loss. I haven't looked at the links for POTS yet, but I will when I finish typing this message. I'm just encouraged that someone else is having a similar issue with their toes! We've felt very alone and odd (especially dd) with this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abbeyej Posted May 13, 2010 Share Posted May 13, 2010 ...It's so NOT Reynaud's. ... ...and they swell... See, that alone indicates to me "not Raynaud's". If anything, my fingers and toes look withered when I'm I have an episode, certainly not swollen. And any red/purpleness following an episode is brief and doesn't involve swelling. Ugh, I'm so sorry to hear your dd is suffering because of this though! I hope you'll find answers and help for her symptoms. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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