PF and Raynauds Disease

[Guest guest]

Long post here folks bear with me.

Raynauds Syndrome is a vasospasmic disorder which affects between 5%

to 10% of the US population. About 20% of women in their child bearing

years are afflicted. The disorder is more common among women than men.

There are two forms of the disease:

Primary Raynauds is the most common form of the disease and usually is

of earlier onset. It is called Raynauds Disease (RD). It is of unknown

etiology.

Secondary Raynauds is called Raynauds Phenomenon (RP). It is

considered to be the more serious of the two and its onset is later in

life (third decade and out). RP like many forms of PF is considered an

inflammatory condition. Many forms of Pulmonary Fibrosis (PF), like RP

, are co-morbid or secondary diseases.

Known causes of both RP and/or PF are:

Collagen Vascular Disease, Connective Tissue Disease, Rheumatic

Disease, Atherosclerosis, Auto-Immune Disease, Repetitive Stress

Injuries, Trauma, Smoking, Medication and Chemotherapy exposure,

Chemical exposure and, some Endocrine and Hormonal disorders.

It is quite possible that many of us on this Board suffer from RP and

PF AND a PRIMARY co-morbid (co-existing) diagnosis.

Last,in that UIP/IPF (usual interstitial pneumonitis / idiopathic

pulmonary fibrosis)is NOT considered to be an inflammatory form of PF

and, is of unknown etiology it follows that if you suffer from UIP/IPF

and Raynauds it is more likely to be the less serious of the two RD

and not RP.

For me, my DX (5.06)is Usual Interstial Pneumonitis and Langerhans

Cell Histiocytosis. I have had Raynauds Disease all my life. I find RD

to be distracting and inconvenient but never anything more than that.

UIP/LCH 5.06 CA