Ever heard of Raynaud’s Syndrome? Nobody seems to be able to confirm whether this odd circulation disorder is related to diabetes, but I have my suspicions.

Also known as Raynaud’s Phenomenon (or Raynaud’s Disease), this is a condition involving “periodic episodes of reduced blood supply in the extremeties when exposed to cold or sudden temperature changes.” Meaning your fingers and toes go white and numb and become pretty much useless for a period of time. Uncomfortable, and sometimes quite scary!

Did I mention that I grew up near Los Angeles, in what is arguably the mildest climate in the world? Nevertheless, a walk to the bus stop on a June morning usually meant white, dead fingers that wouldn’t recover until we arrived at school, and I made to the girls’ room and waited (and waited…) for the tap water to turn warm. I’d hold my hands under the warm water slowly, painfully flexing the fingers as my classmates oogled about what a freak I was. And now I’ve put a name to it! See, guys, I wasn’t possessed by the hand-devil after all…

Anyway, I’ve learned that Raynaud’s may affect 5 to 10 percent of the general population in the United States. Women are apparently more likely to get it than men. The NIAMS site notes: “Raynaud’s phenomenon appears to be more common in people who live in colder climates. However, people with the disorder who live in milder climates may have more attacks during periods of colder weather.” Right, like every time it time it rained in Southern California.

And I just discovered in this diabetes forum that I’m not the only one wondering if it is somehow associated with diabetes or increases my risk of complications. I only found one online mention from years ago at the University of Maryland Medical Center on the fact that “Patients with diabetes often develop Raynaud’s phenomenon.” Plus, the treatment suggestions sound painfully familiar: don’t smoke, control stress, and exercise regularly. If things get really bad, you can try a calcium-channel blocker or vasodilator drug (?). See also: Yikes!

Unfortunately for me, one of the few things that seems to stop Raynaud’s in its tracks is Viagra (per the medical journals,at least). Who would’a thought? It figures…