Pat

I think Scleroderma snuck up on me. Several years before I was diagnosed,
little things started happening. My hand began to hurt when I brushed my
teeth with a regular toothbrush, so I got an electric. Dishes started
jumping out of my hands and breaking when I was washing them. Numbness
crept into my fingers. I was often stiff and creaky. But I never thought
this was anything to mention to a doctor. After all I was only 37 and I had
always been healthy although overweight. In fact my diabetes was only
diagnosed in February 1997 because I had gone to the doctor to discuss the
new medications in weight control and he had done bloodwork. I now realize
I had some classic symptoms but I didn't think to mention any of that to
the doctor. Just like I never thought to mention any of the scleroderma
symptoms.

A few months later I woke up and my middle index finger of my left hand was
swollen and wouldn't uncurl. After several days I became scared it had
something to do with my Type 2 Diabetes. My doctor said he suspected
rheumatoid arthritis and ordered some blood work. I remember being scared
and angry. I certainly didn't want to have my fingers misshapen by
rheumatoid arthritis.

After the bloodwork came back my doctor said he didn't think it was
rheumatoid arthritis but wanted me to see a rheumatologist. After his exam
and further bloodwork, he told me I have some good news and bad news. The good news is you don't have Diffuse, the bad is you have Limited
Scleroderma. He tried to explain it to me, but I didn't hear much of what
he said. In the back of my mind I kept thinking didn't I see a TV movie
about Bob Saget's sister who had died from this?

The only good thing about being diagnosed with a second chronic disease
within 6 months is you know yourself a little better by then. I had
discovered I am the kind of person who wants a lot of information. I had
discovered all kinds of information on the internet for my diabetes, all
kinds of books, joined the national organization and joined the local
group. I found others with the disease. So I thought it would be just as
easy to find all kinds of information with Scleroderma. Well I did find
some information on the Internet, 2 (at that time) national groups and
joined both. But to meet another in person with this disease has yet to
happen. A few months after my orginal diagnosis, I had another scare. My
rheumatologist thought I might have the Diffuse version after all. That was
an especially hard time. I felt what good was it to try to control the
diabetes because Scleroderma was going to finish me long before diabetes
could do so. Fortunately, my diagnosis was later changed back to Limited.
The first medication was Plaquenil and it was great. In six months the
numbness was gone from my fingers. I could crochet again. But then I
developed an eye complication from diabetes and Plaquenil was deemed too
risky as it can cause eye damage. I am now on Colchicine and something new
- Minocycline. If you have found the ROAD BACK foundation on the Internet
you probably have heard of the great results some people have had with
this drug. So I too am hoping for great things.

Family and friends were great when I was diagnosed with diabetes. But they
too were overwhelmed by the scleroderma coming so soon afterward.
Sometimes I think the fatigue has been the worst thing for them. I can't do
what I once did. One friend said she didn't understand and she believes in keeping a stiff upper lip.

I feel I am doing well and that I have a mild case of Limited Scleroderma.
Because I am single and don't have children, it is easier on me at home.
The bad side of this is I do worry what will happen if I can't work and
support myself? I have already found if you have to tell people about the
scleroderma, it is better to just say you have a form of arthritis.
I would love to hear from others with Limited Scleroderma especially those
who also have Type 2 diabetes.