Recognizing Livedo Reticularis
So many people spend their health gaining wealth, and then have to spend their wealth to regain their health.
Livedo Reticularis is an uncommon disorder and has been linked to people with Sticky Blood, Antiphospholipid Syndrome, Hughes Syndrome, and in rare instances, people with Raynauds Syndrome. (extreme cold in the extremities) These are all Autoimmune disorders. In Sticky Blood, Antiphospholipid and Hughes syndrome’s, the immune system produces antibodies that attack blood platelets in blood, causing them to stick together. Blood clots become an issue as people with these disorders are at increased risk of forming deep arterial and venous clots. This can lead to heart attacks or strokes. Blood thinning drugs like Coumadin or Aspirin are often prescribed. Symptoms can resolve themselves sometimes and disappear entirely.
If you have LR, be sure to take a look at the Livedo Reticularis Questionnaire.
All of these syndromes can also be associated with Levido Reticularis. My Reticularis started showing up when I was diagnosed with Epstein Barr Virus in the spring of 2004. Symptoms of Livedo Reticularis:
Yet I still had the symptoms and he offered me no further consultation or explanation. How often does that happen? Talk about frustrating! However, he DID NOT test me for Epstein Barr. But my own NP knew better. She suspected it and then tested me for the Virus and BANG! There it was! Epstein Barr! In full force too! It had been dormant for about 30 years and reappeared out of no where~ The point of my story is this. I knew that Mono and Epstein Barr were part of the HSV virus family, so I decided to start taking L-Lysine for it. Lysine supplements not only helped me get well from the Epstein Barr faster, but the Reticularis faded and disappeared over time as well. Maybe it was a coincidence? Or maybe these two conditions go hand in hand? I could not find any research on the correlation between the two, but I made a correlation in my own mind about it. I wondered if the Livedo Reticularis could be one side effect or symptom of the Epstein Barr Virus in more people than just me? If you suspect Livedo Reticularis and don't know what's causing it, have your doctor check you for Epstein Barr or the other similar viruses.
Many people who have this disorder, report that their condition is not visible in the mornings after waking. (Some do however.) It is only throughout the day that the condition returns and becomes visible. This is very interesting to me, because many doctors have suggested that exercise is KEY to helping circulation, which in turn helps the disorder. Then why, for many of us, is it better in the morning when we've been resting, not exercising? Interestingly too, that many physician's have also suggested that smoking inhibits circulation, therefore anyone with this disorder should stop smoking. How do they know that it will help? Seems like a bold assumption if exercise does not make the condition better too? Some of the suggestions below are from other sources and some of them I got from you. (Thank you for writing in and telling me your stories! Every contribution is much appreciated!~ Blessings~) If you really want to help other people who have it too, please fill out this form about your experience. I am genuinely concerned about this disorder and the general LACK of attention it's getting from the medical community. *I am presently looking for an internist or a Rheumatologist to read the questionnaire page form results! If you know a doctor who might be able to help, please contact me. I have an NP who helped me develop the questionnaire but have not been able to find a doctor locally who is qualified to help us. Thank you! What I've Learned about Livedo Reticularis1) Exercise - If you have reticularis, it might help to get more exercise. Reticularis is a disorder that brings vessels to the skin and makes the skin look red and blotchy. Exercise may help alleviate the symptoms if you are lethargic and don't move a lot. (I work at a computer all day. How about you?) 2) Take an Aspirin everyday - Aspirin helps thin the blood. Reticularis has been discussed by Dr. Weil, whom I really admire. He calls this condition 'sticky blood'. His own mother had it. If aspirin doesn't help, then you may need a blood thinning drug such as Coumadin. See your physician if aspirin doesn't help. 3) Take Fish Oil - Fish Oil taken daily also thins the blood and could be a great help, just like Aspirin. If you can't take aspirin for any reason, fish oil is a viable alternative. I take a soft gel that is a mixture of Flax, Fish, and Borage Oil together. Olive Oil is also an alternative. (Make sure it's Cold Pressed!) These oils are high in Omega Fatty Acids. Omega-3 fatty acids are important building blocks of all cell membranes, signaling pathways and neurological systems. They play an important role in many functions in the body and are essential for good health. Omega's also help with depression. Reports of depression with this disorder are sparse, but I have to assume that it would probably be a problem with most people who are suffering from Livedo Reticularis. I know it upsets me a lot. I can only imagine how other's might feel if their condition is worse than mine. Pretty depressing indeed! 4) Get a Massage - Getting a full body massage can increase circulation and promote relaxation. It can also reduce anxiety and stress and improve delivery of oxygen and nutrients to the body. 5) Take a Drink - Alcohol also thins the blood, so maybe having a drink a day will help keep the condition (and the doctor) away! Dark red wine's have the most nutritional benefit and also help to warm the blood. 6) Take Ginger Root, Garlic, or Cayenne - Ginger root, Garlic, and Cayenne help to 'warm' the blood, and that helps circulation. Follow manufacturers instructions for dosage, or increase it. You cannot OD on these supplements. 7) Try Glutathione - Glutathione is a tripeptide that is made in the liver in abundance when we're young. As we age, the production goes down, down, down. Glutathione has been called the 'super antioxidant'. It may be the ONE antioxidant that makes all the other ones work well. If you can tolerate it, there are two viable alternatives. One is Selenium and the other is NAC. Please refer to my vitamin supplements page for a list of vitamins I suggest. Selenium and NAC can be found in those pages. 8) Steam Bath - Have you tried a steam bath? I have a portable steam bath in my home. I bought it when I had my massage therapy office. The cost is around $2000, however you can find slightly used ones on Ebay sometimes for much less.
Benefits * Improves circulation and metabolism. 9) Body Cleanse - I am getting ready to try an nutritional health cleanse. I haven't done one for years and have been feeling a bit yucky lately. Although my reticularis is not too bad right now, I am always looking for natural holistic ways to improve it. There are several types of cleanses available. As soon as I'm finished, I'll be sure to post how things went! Toxins are prevalent in the world in which we live. If you feel toxic, you just might want to try either/or too. Its been about a month since I did my health cleanse. I feel so much better taking these highly nutritious products. My reticularis is about the same but I feel better. People have told me that I really look especially great. Maybe building more self confidence is a good thing! 10) Some of you who have filled out the questionnaire, have told me that there doctor suggested an infection in your body of some kind. I am presently taking Olive Leaf Extract just to see if it has any benefits for me. Olive leaf extract can not only get rid of intestinal-parasites, it also has antiviral and antibiotic effects in the body. (Plus it's dirt cheap to buy!) If it helps me, (It certainly can't hurt me!) I'll let you know! Livedo Reticularis is also associated with Sneddons Syndrome. If you want to read more about Sneddon's, read this page. Something else I've tried is called Oil Pulling. I don't have any definitive answers yet, but I'm more hopeful now than I've been in a while. Please read this page to learn more about it. Another way to increase circulation and increase lymphatic flow in the body, is the do regular Skin Brushing. Please be sure to get the essential nutrients you need. I have recently redone all my vitamin supplements pages. Please read them all! Extra supplements are needed to combat other things such as Cancer, and may be key in helping to keep your Reticularis to a minimum!!! (We all need them anyway, so be sure to get what your body needs!) *Update (May, 2008) - I am getting so many new filled out forms that it's hard to imagine the people who haven't found my site yet. I want to email each and every one of you, although that seems impossible right now because there are so many. I really am thinking 'foundation' time. I am going to be looking into a foundation for this disorder. We need someone to help us!!! My own livedo reticularis looks about the same most days but even at it's worst it's not as bad as some of the people who have filled out the form. I want to hug all of you! Thank you for taking the time to fill this form out. One day we'll benefit from it! I just know it! Didn't find what you were looking for? Use this handy tool to find it fast! To go to the next Healthy Money Saving Tips page, here's the link:
Livedo Reticularis Questionnaire To Help Gather Information
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