Alsager, Cheshire, known as the drug Viagra to overcome erectile dysfunction (impotence) in men. But for a woman in Cheshire, England, Viagra is an effective solution to treat a cold attack that always occurs in the feet and hands.
The woman is Anne Mawdsley (68 years) from Alsager, Cheshire, England. He always had a cold in the feet and hands, especially if the weather is cold.
"Sounds like a minor inconvenience, but the pain is very unusual. My fingers turn red and it feels like burning," said Anne, as reported by Dailymail, Tuesday (03/08/2011).
The woman is Anne Mawdsley (68 years) from Alsager, Cheshire, England. He always had a cold in the feet and hands, especially if the weather is cold.
"Sounds like a minor inconvenience, but the pain is very unusual. My fingers turn red and it feels like burning," said Anne, as reported by Dailymail, Tuesday (03/08/2011).
Before his illness worsened, Anne was a gym teacher. But always be outside the room in very cold weather that tormented him. Now he must be willing to lose his job and as a gym teacher.
His condition continued to deteriorate and she is really struggling to care for his two sons who was then still under the age of 2.5 years.
"The pain had reached the peak at night and my fingers would throb. I was devastated because this condition makes me unable to sleep," explained Anne.
These conditions then cause ulcers on the toes Anne, even a finger had gangrene (death of tissue in the body). Doctors recommend Anne's finger should be amputated.
Anne managed to avoid radical solutions, but over the last 30 years Anne has been struggling to find effective treatment for his condition, which also spread to her toes.
Anne suffered from Raynaud's syndrome, a disorder that is triggered by a sudden decrease in body temperature. The blood vessels in fingers and toes to contract and cut off the blood supply. It also can affect the small artery in the ear nose, and tongue.
Typically, Raynaud's causes fingers and toes become numb da white. Then when the blood flow back, blue hands turn red and be accompanied Sensai fire. These attacks can last from several minutes to 1 hour.
There are two types of Raynaud's. Primary Raynaud's tends to occur in families, usually quite mild. Most patients can cope with fingers wrapped around the feet and hands with gloves or a warm feet, even if some cause painful ulcers, which can become infected.
Anne suffered from Raynaud's secondary form, which is much more seruis and painful. Secondary form of Raynaud's is usually caused by an auto-immune diseases such as scleroderma, which causes hardening of the muscle, skin and organs.
The symptoms of secondary Raynaud's usually worse shape, as circulation is not smooth and the possibility to return to normal a bit, so that patients may experience permanent pain.
"Raynaud's been labeled as a condition that causes only minor cold hands, but for some patients with symptoms and complications can be life-threatening," said Professor Chris Denton, a consultant rheumatologist at the Royal Free Hospital, London.
Anne was first diagnosed with Raynaud's at the age of 33 years. Within 1 year after diagnosis, she was told that the middle finger on his left hand to be amputated.
"After these conditions, I am trying to find his own medicine. I tried to wrap fingers with honey, physiotherapy, massage and acupuncture," said Anne, who lives with her husband Harry, a retired teacher.
His condition continued to deteriorate. He developed difficulty swallowing and throat swell. He also developed complications including loss of bowel control, lung disease and high blood pressure in the lungs.
Two years ago Anne was invited to take part in the hearing at the Royal Free Hospital, led by Professor Denton. After the meeting, Professor Denton asked him to use erectile dysfunction drug sildenafil, better known as Viagra.
Viagra helps by increasing blood supply to the extremities of the body.
"I smiled when offered Viagra, but because I was so desperate, I will try in every way," said Anne.
He took the tablets three times daily and immediately see an improvement in symptoms.
"Although the numbness and pain in my finger does not disappear completely, it is much better and now I can use my hands to do many things, like typing," he said.
He also said he did not experience any side effects, because effects of Viagra usually can cause dizziness and headaches. He also saw no side effects on sex life.
"This is the use of outside labels of Viagra, which means the drug is not licensed for this purpose. Viagra will be reserved for treating patients with Raynaud's or scleroderma most severe type, which has tried more conventional treatments but to no avail. We do not recommend this drug for each people, "explained Professor Denton.
After 35 years of suffering, Anne now feels much better. Last year he even completed a two-day expedition in the Arctic Circle in Finland, holding the temperature of -32 degrees and donate USD 398 million for the Raynaud's & Scleroderma Association.
by: detik health (Mer / ir)
