Jenn

Hello my name is Jennifer and up until a few months ago I thought my diagnosis was SLE (lupus). My doctor diagnosed me with an overlapping connective tissue disorder of lupus and scleroderma. As if my life wasn't already complicated now I have two diseases concerning my health. I am 27 years old and work with preschool children. I love my job so much I enrolled in the education program so I can become a teacher. As much as I love my job my condition is greatly effected by my daily routine. There are days I have little strength and have trouble lifting a child. But we all have some limitations.

I first got symptoms my sophmore year of college. I was very sensitive to cold weather and my hands would turn red, white and blue and numb. My hands were not the only things affected; all my extremities would react that way to the cold. My lips were blue, tongue numb, and feet too. I would come home from class and stick my hands under hot water. I'll never forget the day a girl inmy class looked at my hands and out of shock gasped ewe! My hands were completely purple as if I were wearing gloves. The following year at college I began to develop more symtoms. I became extremely tired, weak and my joints ached. I was so weak it took all my strength to raise my arms to wash my hair. My roomate had to help me open stuff like cans of soda becaus e I was too weak and I would get sores. I went home for Christmas vacation and my sister took a look at me and took me to the doctor. I was pale and purple. My doctor was out and the doctor taking his place was a rheumatologist. He immediately suggested sclerderma and then later said no Lupus. That was 6 years ago. Over the years I developed IBS, polymyasitis, arthritis, carpul tunnel, red dots on my face, eczema, and my skin has begun to tighten. Since my doctor added to my diagnosis I have had good and bad mental days. There are days where I think i am going to die and others where I am optimistic. The medicatiions I am on are Procardia, Plaquenil and I just started Bextra for my wrist pain. I was on methotrexate, prednisone, and folic acid as well.

I would like anyone who has the disease to email me with any suggestions or just want to talk. I look forward to hearing from you.

Jenn - jkh41@hotmail.com