Silezia

I am 25 and living in South Africa and I have been diagnosed with Crest.

The diagnosis was a painful and laborious affair. It took two years to finally diagnose me as the doctors in SA are not that familiar with the disease.

It started with my hands going blue and purple one night at work and I got a fright of my life. My friend rushed me to my GP and he referred me to my Specialist Surgeon who referred me to my Rheumatologist. I was on Industrial Cortisone for three days to save my fingers as it showed signs of gangrene. Then the rheumatologist stopped the treatment and put me in the ICU for three days on an experimental drug (Iloprost) to widen the arteries. They eventually diagnosed me with Lupus.

I was told to take anti-inflammatories for pain and come and see them if something goes wrong.

December 1999 I started having difficulty swallowing and decided to go back to the doctors. They took one look at me and sent me for X-Ray's. The radiologist confirmed that the bottom third of my easophogus was "paralysed". The doctors confirmed Crest and gave me an explanation of what it is and referred me to a few internet sites to do some reading.

I am now on chronic medication for the stiffness in my hands, back, arms and legs. Minocycline and Lanzor (for the heartburn).

So far it is actually going very well. I don't get tired, I am gaining weight and the stiffness is basically non-existent. I only have a concern for my skin, it flakes a bit and gets very dry. But I have tissue lotion that seems to work.

sileziaj@absa.co.za