I then started having ulcers on my fingers and they would get infected. My doctor would put me on an antibiotic and they would heal up, till the next time. I then started having high blood pressure and he was treating me for that. I believe it was Minipress.

Then my doctor started having personal problems which was interfering with his ability to be a good doctor. I thought it was time to change doctors. A friend gave me the name of a young doctor just starting his practice. I made an appointment with him, not knowing he specialized in rheumatology. During my visit he kept touching my cheek. After an interview he told me I had scleroderma and wanted me to have several tests done to be sure it was not effecting my internal organs. Fortunately at that time, it had not.

I've been gong to him for years now, and feel I've lasted this long because of his care. He has seen me through many illnesses. I have acid reflux and sleep on a wedge plus taking propulsid and cimetidine. I've had two bouts of viral pneumonia. I have trouble with my bowels as the scleroderma has effected my colon, which sometimes terrible stomach aches. I have had calcium deposits removed from both knees and one elbow. In fact, an orthpaedic doctor wanted to do knee replacements on both knees. That is when I got depressed. My medical doctor said "no", as I'm not medically up to that type surgery at this time. He has changed my blood pressure medicines to vasetec and verapamil. He kept increasing it as my pressure kept rising. Just recently, though, on my own, I decided to try garlic, and the last time I went to him my pressure was low, so he decreased my medicine.

I have a terrible time getting blood tests, does anyone else? My veins are so narrow and tough because of the raynauds, the needle won't penetrate. It's torture, though I usually wind up feeling sorry for the person trying to take the test. They feel so bad for poking me so much. All in all I've been doing fairly well, till the last 6 months.I now have terrible arthritic pain in all my joints and find it difficult to do anything. I'm even finding it hard to get dressed in the morning. I have someone come in once a month, now, and do the heavy cleaning. Also I have become very short-winded and upon some breathing tests have found my lungs are badly scarred. I hope its not the scleroderma, that would be very bad news. My doctor has given mecelebrex for the arthritic pain, and an inhaler for the breathing.

All in all I think I have done rather well. I was in my 30's when I was diagnosed and I am now 72. I raised 4 children,and now have 7 grandchildren and until recently, did all my own housework. I surely would like to do that again. I miss it. I'm a very independent person.

I sometimes dream I'm doing my work, then I wake up.