Finally a diagnosis (well, another one - I already knew I had Sjogren's)

[amberjolie1]

Saw a dermatologist today for a skin biopsy.  Took one look at my arms and hands and said he had no doubt it was scleroderma.  He did the biopsy anyway, I think to put my rheumy's mind at ease that it's a good diagnosis, but he did write "scleroderma" in the diagnosis section of the patient form he was filling out.  (I already knew I had Sjogren's from a lip biopsy).

My husband's worried that my arm (where the skin biopsy was taken) will scar, but I'm thinking, does it really matter?  My skin's already going to pot anyway, what's a little scar to add to it?

Anyways, as many of you probably agree, it's good to have a diagnosis, but now it just means that I know I'll be facing more fun things the AI stuff throws my way!

(Yay and sigh at the same time).

[eyeamdry]

Amberjolie, I think you will feel better with a diagnosis.  It at least gives you a path to choose and doctors to help you.  Good luck.  Lucy

[gurs]

what do your your arms look like if I may ask?

Yeah, whats a little scar...they dont bother me in the least. After losing so much of my hair, and getting a fat face from
the steriods, a scar would be nothing, for me anyways..lost all my vanity pretty much....

Hang in there!

Gursie

[KellyG999]

Well, I am sure this is not a diagnosis you wanted, but now you can be treated appropriately, so it's a blessing in disguise.

I'll be thinking of you and I know you'll do well.

KellyG

[Jorja]

You are such a brave lady.  When I thought I may have Scleroderma, I was scared half to death.  It's folks like you and others on this board that have helped me deal with the daily things.

My new Rheumy ordered a lip biopsy in Nov. and the ENT doc said and I quote, "I don't know why she wanted this.  I said you had severe Sjogrens in 2004".  He did the biopsy anyway to appease her and called two days later saying, "It is DEFINITELY Sjogrens!  DEFINITELY!!!"  I, too was glad for another diagnosis (of the same thing) because . . . . finally, the Rheumy believed I was sick.  Go figure. 

I will be praying for you.

Blessings,
Jorja

[Parched]

I remember reading previous posts about you possibly having scleroderma.  I am thankful you finally have a diagnosis and will receive treatment, but sorry to hear you have this. 

This is the one my rheumy is watching me closely for.  I am seen by an excellent dermatologist and she assures me I have no skin changes indicating scleroderma but she will monitor me closely, as is my rheumy.

Best wishes to you...

[Carolina]

Arghhh!

New things.

Well, knowledge is power.

Still, I wish a year with NO NEW things in the doctor department.

Puuuhleeeeze!

Hugs

Elaine

[Winnie]

I am also watched closely for this disease.  I had inconclusive blood work earlier in the year and and then further blood work came back negative.  This was the first disease that was brought up by my gastro.  My rheumy says that I don't have anything yet but I do have symptoms (several teeny tiny red spots and stomach problems) that could be scleroderma.  I guess time will tell. 

I will be praying for you and for someone to find a cure to put an end to these diseases.

Winnie

[amberjolie1]

Thank you everyone for your well wishes.

The dermatologist commented that I was in good spirits.  (I'm a pretty moody person, so I guess he caught me at a good time!  ). But I had suspected scleroderma for quite awhile so it wasn't really anything "new", so-to-speak.  And it's more than likely the CREST variant (limited scleroderma), which isn't as aggressive, quick, or nasty as diffuse scleroderma, so that's one good thing!

gurs, my forearms look like half of them are a darker pigment than the rest, and the darker part is kind of shiny, too.  If you start pinching my skin, starting at the elbow on the insides of the forearms, when you reach the darker spot, you can't get any skin to pinch anymore.  It started as blotches that got bigger and more numerous, and then kind of blended together.  I've also got blotches on my upper arms, and my chest is shiny (and it's spreading there, too).  My hands are also shiny-ish, and the skin is pretty tight.

I'm pretty itchy where the skin is tight, too.  But it looks quite subtle; I don't know if people would notice easily or not.  I do because I know my arms intimately.

Someone commented (knowing my condition, so just as a matter-of-fact, not as an insult) that my hands looked like an 80-year old's with arthritis.  I'm only 36.