Advice after your nerve block for surgery
On this page…
What is Raynaud’s?
Raynaud’s is a disorder that affects the small arteries, commonly in the hands and feet. It causes them to go white or red and is occasionally painful in cold conditions. (Arteries are blood vessels that carry blood from your heart to different parts of your body).
Why does it happen?
Raynaud’s is sometimes called a disease, syndrome, or phenomenon. The disorder is marked by brief episodes or vasospasm, which is narrowing of the blood vessels which blocks the flow of blood to the fingers or toes. This causes the affected area to change colour to white, then blue and finally red as the blood flow returns.
You may also experience pain, numbness and pins and needles in the affected body parts. Symptoms can last from a few minues to several hours.
Raynaud’s is usually triggered by cold temperatures or by anxiety or stress.
It is not a serious threat to your health but it can be annoying to live with. People with Raynaud’s often go for long periods without any symptoms and sometimes the conditions go away altogether.
The disorder usually affects the fingers; in about 40% of people who have Raynaud’s, it affects the toes.
Types of Raynaud’s
There are two types of Raynaud’s it can either be:
- Primary – by far the commonest, when the condition develops by itself.
- Secondary – very rare, when it develops in association with another health condition.
The causes of primary Raynaud’s are unclear. However, 1 in 10 people with primary Raynaud’s will go on to develop a condition associated with secondary Raynaud’s.
Most cases of secondary Raynaud’s are associated with conditions where the immune system goes wrong and starts attacking health tissue, such as:
- Rheumatoid arthritis, when the immune system attacks the joints causing pain and swelling.
- Lupus, when the immue system attacks may different parts of the body causing a range of symptoms, such as tiredness, joint pain and skin rashes.
Who gets Raynaud’s
Raynaud’s disease is a common condition. It may affect as many as one in every nine women, and 1 in 12 men.
Primary Raynaud’s usually begins in your 20s or 30s. Secondary Raynaud’s can develop at any age depending on the underlying condition it is associated with.
Treating Raynaud’s
If you have been diagnosed with primary Raynaud’s then you can probably be treated by your GP.
If you have been diagnosed with secondary Raynaud’s due to an underlying condition, you may need to be referred to a specialist.
The recommended treatment plan for primary Raynaud’s is firstly to see if self-help methods can help control symptoms. If this does not help then medications that work by making your blood vessels wider may be used. Examples of these are Nifedipine, Amlodipine, Losartan and Fluoxetine.
Self help
This advice is recommended for people with both primary and secondary Raynaud’s
- Keep your whole body warm, especially hands and feet.
- Wear gloves and warm footwear in cold weather.
- If you smoke, quit: the nicotine in cigarettes causes more vaso spasm on its own. Quitting smoking will improve your circulation, which should improve symptoms.
- Exercise regularly as this helps circulation and reduces stress levels.
General Information on Intravenous Iloprost
A few patients may benefit from being treated with a drug called Iloprost. This leaflet gives some information about the drug, how it works, and the possible side effects.
What is Iloprost?
Iloprost has been shown to act in the same way as a natural chemical in your body called Prostacyclin. Prostacyclin opens up blood vessels, combating any vasospasm.
How does Iloprost work?
Iloprost opens up your blood vessels to combat vasospasm by
- reducing clumping of the small cells in the blood and therefore reduces clotting
- reducing the number of destructive cells collecting in damaged blood vessels
- helping to dissolve clots
- helping arteries and veins carry more blood to all areas of your body.
These actions combine to improve the body’s circulation of blood.
How can Iloprost help patients with circulatory problems?
By opening up (dilating) the blood vessels, Iloprost will increase blood flow through these vessels and around the body.
Does Iloprost have side effects?
In general Iloprost is a well-tolerated drug. The possible side effects are:
- Facial flushing
- Headaches
- Lowering blood pressure (hypotension)
- Sickness, vomiting or abdominal cramps.
- Diarrhoea
How is Iloprost given?
Iloprost is given as an intravenous infusion in hospital. The infusion is given for approximately six hours per day for five consecutive days.
During the infusion your pulse and blood pressure will be monitored. All side effects tend to disappear quickly once the infusion has been stopped or reduced, and has not been found to have any long lasting ill effects. Paracetamol and an anti sickness drug called Metoclopramide will be given an hour before the start of the infusion to help with these side effects.
Along with toiletries, night clothes, etc., the vascular team actively encourages all our patients to bring in day clothes to wear on the ward whilst an inpatient and to have ready for discharge.
Contact Details
Secretaries at Frimley Park
Mr D J Gerrard, Mr Chong, Mr Chaudary 0300 613 2141
Mr K Jones, Mr Cleanthis, Miss Moore 0300 613 4291
Lt Col Sharrock, Mr Ali, Mr Dastur 0300 613 2487
North Hants Hospital Basingstoke Secretary
Wexham Park Hospital Secretary
Vascular Specialist Nurses
Claire Martin Lead Vascular CNS - FPH 0300 613 6302
Tracey Craig Vascular CNS - FPH
Andrea Croucher Vascular CNS - FPH
Pabita Limbu Vascular CNS - FPH
Kirstie Lane Vascular CNS - WPH 07770702053
Nessa Cababa Vascular CNS - ASPH 07522618600
Contact us
If you have any queries relating to this information, please contact the Vascular surgery service.
About this information
Service:
Vascular surgery
Reference:
Y/043
Approval date:
7 March 2024
Review date:
1 March 2027
Click ‘show accessibility tools’ at the bottom of the page
Then click ‘select language’
Alternative formats
You can use the accessibility toolbar at the bottom of your screen to:
-
Change the text size
-
Adjust the font
-
Modify the colour contrast
-
Use the translate function
If you would like this information in another format, such as Braille, audio, or easy read, please speak to a member of staff.
You can also print as well as download as PDF using the “Print this page” button at the end of the page.
Staff will print a copy for you on request
Important note
This page provides general information only. It is developed by clinical staff and is reviewed regularly every 3 years for accuracy. For personal advice about your health, or if you have any concerns, please speak to your doctor.