"Blue" fingernails...

josh · Post by **josh** » Tue Jul 25, 2006 3:36 pm

Hi,

Some people at work lately have noticed that my fingernails are an abnormal color...they are like a light blue or light purple in color. Does anyone have any ideas as to whether or not something is wrong? I "feel" fine...I think. Any time my O2 sat has been checked it has been fine (minus when I was not on CPAP therapy). I would go to the doctors, but I don't want to seem like an idiot...Hey Doc, why are my fingernails blue?

To be quite honest, I cannot tell if they are really discolored or not...maybe I am desensitized or something. I dunno. If anyone has any insight, let me know please.

Thanks!!

Mile High Sleeper · Post by **Mile High Sleeper** » Tue Jul 25, 2006 3:42 pm

I'm not a doctor and don't know much about symptoms. However, check with a doctor to see if it's a circulation or heart problem. Phone the doctor's office and ask for the nurse's input on getting an appointment.

GoofyUT · Post by **GoofyUT** » Tue Jul 25, 2006 3:44 pm

You really ought to check with your doctor as soon as you can about this.

Chuck

linda b · Post by **linda b** » Tue Jul 25, 2006 3:59 pm

Following is a sight that discusses a wide variety of nail problems. Yes, bluish nails are a signs of low oxygen. I suggest you read this site and then call your doctor.

http://www.clevelandclinicmeded.com/dis ... isease.htm

I'm sorry, it didn't seem to come up as a linkable entry, but I did it the only way I know how.

krousseau · Post by **krousseau** » Tue Jul 25, 2006 4:59 pm

Changes like that often occur slowly so you get accustomed to the color as it changes and don't notice it-people who see you less frequently will notice. I'm adding my vote to see a doctor soon. If there is any change in the shape of your fingertips-see one sooner. Insist on a chest x-ray.

tomjax · Post by **tomjax** » Tue Jul 25, 2006 5:23 pm

Two possibilites at first blush.

1- You have a circulatory problem that you need to check with your doc asap.
That is probably the best approach to be sure.

2- You are hyperfocused and it is a very highly subjective assessment on your part. Maybe nothing at all. Minds can play strange games. I would not assume this ang go to # 1.

josh · Post by **josh** » Tue Jul 25, 2006 6:13 pm

Thanks all for the advice...I plan on seeing the doc...I just wanted to make sure I wasn't nuts...lol.

As I said before though, my O2 sats have been fine for the 3 or so sleep studies that I had while I was being titrated for CPAP. In fact, I am generally healthy, small person, don't smoke, I hardly drink, etc, etc. I am worried about the fact my orthodontist and plastic surgeon agree that I have a small airway...which makes me wonder if I am getting enough oxygen during the day, while I am awake...or whatever. I am just pondering. Oh yeah, I have had quite a bit of other testing done in the past, before I was diagnosed with OSA, and every test I have taken has been fine...cholestorol, diabetes, blood pressure, and everything else under the sun that they test for.

Again, thanks for the feedback.

Josh

Snoredog · Post by **Snoredog** » Tue Jul 25, 2006 9:58 pm

[quote="josh"]Thanks all for the advice...I plan on seeing the doc...I just wanted to make sure I wasn't nuts...lol.

As I said before though, my O2 sats have been fine for the 3 or so sleep studies that I had while I was being titrated for CPAP. In fact, I am generally healthy, small person, don't smoke, I hardly drink, etc, etc. I am worried about the fact my orthodontist and plastic surgeon agree that I have a small airway...which makes me wonder if I am getting enough oxygen during the day, while I am awake...or whatever. I am just pondering. Oh yeah, I have had quite a bit of other testing done in the past, before I was diagnosed with OSA, and every test I have taken has been fine...cholestorol, diabetes, blood pressure, and everything else under the sun that they test for.

Again, thanks for the feedback.

Josh

Stryker5777 · Post by **Stryker5777** » Tue Jul 25, 2006 10:37 pm

Hey Josh,

How do you feel your CPAP treatment is going? What are your CPAP stats (card data?)?

I also noticed a similar thing a while back when I first started CPAP therapy. It is on a couple of my nails of the last two fingers on my left hand. I went through the same battery of tests (maybe more..?) and they found nothing. I was eventually told that I had a mild case of Raynaud's phonema, but they couldn't agree on this even since it doesn't quite conform with text book cases. ( I also had problems with my hands getting cold and staying freezing cold when I was in the cold or had to hold something somewhat cold for any extended period of time.) I'm not exactly sure about their diagnosis to this day. Especially since I was the one that diagnosised myself with OSA and was found to be right (after a PSG) while my doc and other docs I saw prior to this never even considered it.

However its linked to the OSA I would be willing to bank on it, especially if all your tests come back neg and you and others still notice it. Though this brings up alot more questions which I only have half answers to . My goal has been to solve my OSA issues that I still continue to endure. Mouth breathing leakage and nasal congestion (which I believe are causing my continued EDS and broken up sleep 3-4 segment usually) are the two big problems for me. If I solve these problems and feel rested after sleeping, I will be happy and I think I will feel better and be healthier over all. Maybe your having issues with your CPAP therapy that your either don't realize or didn't even consider?

So.. maybe its linked to your OSA or the CPAP therapy itself? Perhaps it will get better and disappear the longer your on CPAP. Who knows..? My advice is to follow everyone else's that posted above and see where you go from there.

Best of Regards,

Stryker5777

najames · Post by **najames** » Wed Jul 26, 2006 5:55 pm

Whoa Simba!!!

Head to the doc on this one NOW!!! My mom was working in the kitchen, and her sister came to see her and noticed her blue finger nails. They took her to the doctor and she was rushed to the hospital because of blood clots. They put her on blood thinners, but one clot evidenlty remained. She died the next day when it entered her heart.

Better safe than sorry.

josh · Post by **josh** » Wed Jul 26, 2006 6:08 pm

Update:

I went to see the doctor today. Keep in mind that this doctor is my wife's boss. He checked for the obvious, put acetone on my fingernails to see if the ink that I work with at work had discoloured the nails. But that was not it, as I had thought anyway. My O2 sat was 96%, my BP was 115/72, and my pulse was 82. My lips are pink, my breathing is fine, and my toenails do not exhibit this colour. So his conlcusion is that he cannot come up with one. He has no explanation as to why my nails are blue, and that he is not concerned since I do not have a family history of holes in hearts. He said of the possible things that it could be that I do not have because I do not have any other symptoms to substantiate it.

So that was my doctor's visit today.

Could it be that my CPAP is not working...

I mean, I just checked out a link to an MMA surgery, and saw that this person seems to be similar to me...his airway is narrow, which he says caused his CPAP therapy to become unaffective. I have been feeling tired lately, aggressive, depressed and so on...but I am having trouble pinpointing on if it is due to stress at work, stress at home with a 2 month old and 5 year old, or if I am just being a hypochondriac.

But I feel as though something is wrong...

I guess I should go see the good ol' sleep doc again...

ghmerrill · Post by **ghmerrill** » Wed Jul 26, 2006 6:14 pm

Blue (or dusky fingernails) are the classic clinical sign of cyanosis (lack of oxygen). Trust me. My oldest child was born with Tetralogy of Fallot.

That's why they call them "blue babies".

If your doctor is not upset about this, get another doctor. It's possible that your condition is "local" and wouldn't show up in blood taken from a different part of the body.

If your doctor is "not concerned", run (do not walk) to someone who IS concerned. Well, maybe you should ride. This definitely is not something that any competent medical professional should be willing to ignore.

brasshopper · Post by **brasshopper** » Wed Jul 26, 2006 8:02 pm

Did you tell your doctor that despite his inability to diagnose the problem that you are still quite concerned about it?

There are many things that you just don't diagnose. You eliminate the bad things that can kill you and then you just sort of ignore it.

It sounds like the doctor did some of this stuff - but it does not sound like he did much of it.

Tell him you are concerned - and if you already have and he has not provided you a referral, ask him why. Sometimes they don't because they don't think you want to pay for the referral. Sometimes they don't think that you are concerned. You have to communicate - and if you are in an HMO and the doc is not giving you a referral because you might ruin his record, you need to let him know that is not acceptable - or if you are PPO or percentage, let him know that you are concerned.

issacc · Post by **issacc** » Wed Jul 26, 2006 8:11 pm

copper poisoning, metals in the bloodstream, asthma, the list goes on and on for causes of blueish fingernails. Do you have a swimming pool? the copper in tha water may be too high....

krousseau · Post by **krousseau** » Wed Jul 26, 2006 10:07 pm

Have you had a recent chest x-ray? If you have and it was clear-and with the other tests you describe it is reasonable to wait and repeat the chest x-ray and some of the tests again in 3 months. Although if you feel uncomfortable with that-get a second opinion. You have to decide how much you trust the MD's skill & knowledge.
One suggestion-take a photo of your hands in strong daylight against a white background. Repeat same procedure using the same type of film or digital camera every month-that way you will be able to see changes-take them to the doctors with you.
There are some benign causes for the coloration and some not so benigh-do not feel you are being a hypochondriac in keeping a close watch on it until they decide what it is. As long as they do not know what it is keep on top of it. BTW Any chance you are getting any preservative salts in your diet rather than regular sodium chloride.

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