Last month we invited you to test your Raynaud's phenomenon (RP) knowledge and provide feedback on future webinar topics. Thank you for your participation. These are the answers to last month's quiz:

Which of the following are needed to make a diagnosis of RP?

• Answer - All of the above was the correct answer. An RP diagnosis requires fingers to be unusually sensitive and change color when exposed to cold. 

What is mostly likely to cause an RP attack?

• Answer - While stress can be a cause for an RP attack, it is most often a reaction to cold temperatures.  

Secondary Raynaud's differs from Primary if what disease is present?

• Answer - There are many diseases that often include RP as a symptom: carpel tunnel, scleroderma, lupus, thyroid gland disorders and others.

Can smoking cause Raynaud's?

• Answer - Yes. Smoking can cause RP and make attacks more frequent.

Does gender put you more at risk?

• Answer - Yes. As is the case with scleroderma, women are at greater risk to be diagnosed with RP.

What type of medications are prescribed for RP?

• Answer - All of the above was the correct answer.

o    Calcium channel blockers relax and open up small blood vessels in your hands and feet. These drugs can also help heal skin ulcers on your fingers or toes.

o    Alpha blockers provide relief for some patients because they counteract the actions of norepinephrine, a hormone that constricts blood vessels.

o    Vasodilators relax blood vessels - such as nitroglycerin cream on fingers to help heal skin ulcers. Your doctor may also prescribe vasodilator drugs that are commonly used to treat other conditions.

If you have RP, what type of medications may your doctor suggest you avoid?

• Answer - Again, all of the above was the correct answer.

o    Certain over-the-counter cold drugs that contain pseudoephedrine (Chlor-Trimeton, Sudafed).

o    Beta blockers. This class of drugs, used to treat high blood pressure and heart disease, includes metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL), nadolol (Corgard) and propranolol (Inderal, Innopran XL).

o    Birth control pills. If you use birth control pills, you may wish to switch to another method of contraception because these drugs affect your circulation and may make you more prone to attacks.

 
FUTURE WEBINARS:

Thank you for your feedback regarding future webinar topics. Your answers provided us with a wide variety of subjects and we look forward to having you join us for our upcoming sessions that will include your suggestions of the different types of scleroderma, scleroderma-related muscle loss and pain, how to organize a scleroderma awareness event and others. Visit our site to view past webinars and register for upcoming sessions.

This month: We understand that with scleroderma comes a variety of lifestyle changes. With the Fourth of July holiday coming up and summer BBQ season in full swing, please share with us if/how scleroderma has changed your diet or eating habits. As an example, what dietary restrictions have you endured and how have you creatively maneuvered the challenge?  Click on this month's survey to tell us more on this topic. We'll share some of your answers next month.