Hello Ann, I am so sorry to hear of your pain and trouble.. It is highly
painful.. It is extremely rare for a female to contract this disease. Even
though experiencing this disease has been terrible, I have also found some
valuable life lessons in it. So I hope that you continue to do better and
that beyond all of the suffering something is gained..

It has been almost 2 years since I have quit smoking. My left foot has
improved remarkably. I still have daily pain, to include the arch pain and
numbing of the toes and sometimes my left big toe swells up and does the
throbbing thing, but normally that only lasts for a day or two and then it
subsides again to the usual arch pain while walking or standing for
different durations. I still get the numbing toes on both feet on and off.
But compared to where it was at when I had the inflammation that usually
sends most of us to the Doctor hurriedly, since quitting smoking life has
been so much better. I still have to take pain meds. But I still have my
feet and all my toes. My toe nail on my left big toe still refuses to grow
in normally and I doubt it ever will.. At this point I feel like unless I
have some sort of unfortunate major accident I may keep my feet for the rest
of my life. I am convinced if I started smoking again that within weeks my
foot would be big and purple and screaming..

So to answer your questions. Don't give up on the quitting smoking.. That is
the number one thing you can do to help yourself. Beyond that,, anything
that is good for circulation is what to do.. Short walks a few times a day,
continue to exercise, don't let it stop you. Go till you have to sit down
and then get up and go again.. Physical exercise I think personally is the
number two thing we can do.. Stay away from coffee/caffeine if you can..
Hard for me to do that.. Do not use any type of diet pills that are vassal
inhibitors.. methamphetamines fall in to this category. I took natural herb
ephreda for years for my allergy. Sometimes I wonder just how much that had
to play in my disease as well..

Stay away from the smokes, keep physically active, eat well, consider herbal
circulation remedies with a grain of salt, and stay away from any stuff that
inhibits blood flow.. Things will get better over time. It will never be
gone unless a cure for us is found but the symptoms can be greatly reduced.
What medications do they have you on? I finally stopped taking all of that
stuff, blood thinners and etc. . I was feeling like a pill consummation
factory and did not notice any difference in how my feet do..

prayers and blessings in the Lord of Jesus Christ's will for you


Barry



----- Original Message -----
From: "ilike4u2bestill" <ilike4u2bestill@...>
To: <beurgersdisease@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Friday, December 12, 2003 9:43 AM
Subject: [Beurgers Disease] (unknown)


> Hello!
>
> I'm 32 years old, female, and have been diagnosed with Buerger's disease a
few days ago. First felt incredible pain on my right toe
> November last year. Couldn't understand why. I'm a very active person, hit
the gym regularly, always on the go, and suddenly woke up
> one day with a throbbing big toe that got worse and worse every day.
>
> First my doctors, of which I saw plenty, thought it was just plain
infection. Many agreed to have my toenail removed, and so by
> February this year I agreed--much to my regret. (Until today my toenail
refuses to grow properly.) By March I found myself back to the
> hospital, in a wheel chair this time, with my whole right foot inflamed.
Was diagnosed with cellulitis, confined for three weeks,
> bedridden for two months. By May, my doctor had to remove my growing
toenail.
>
> Finally, by July, I was able to walk again with the aid of a walking cane.
Poor healing of wound and nail growth despite normal
> blood test results (sugar, etc.) forced my doctors to make me undergo
arteriogram early this week. Result shows I have Buerger's
> disease. On top of that, I also have mitral valve stenosis. This has been
the most terrible year for me, and the worst affliction there is.
>
> I have quit smoking since June 3, and I have no plans on lighting up ever
again. I don't know what to do anymore. My doctors say I
> should wait for at least two years before results to start kicking in. Is
there anything else I should do that could help my condition,
> aside from taking my prescribed medications? Any advice would be greatly
appreciated.
>
>
> anne
>
>
>
>
>
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