Scleroderma Information » Scleroderma » Anybody in transition…
Question:
My doctor (RH) says that I am in transition between CREST and SYSTEMIC. I really don’t think that’s accurate. Prevailing symptoms read like text book Systemic to me. Is there a blood test (or other) that can clearly differentiate? Does the fact that my RH is unsure indicate that I should be looking for another doctor? Anyone with experience in this area? Thanks, Chuck
Response:
In article <33273B18.6…@flash.net>, cdri…@flash.net wrote: > My doctor (RH) says that I am in transition between CREST and SYSTEMIC. > I really don’t think that’s accurate. Prevailing symptoms read like > text book Systemic to me. Is there a blood test (or other) that can > clearly differentiate? Does the fact that my RH is unsure indicate that > I should be looking for another doctor? Anyone with experience in this > area?
Dear Chuck: Ususally patients who present with CREST or limited scleroderma, remain stable and don’t SWITCH to proximal scleroderma and viceversa. However, many proximal scleroderma patients have features of CREST, and some MDs don’t realize that the initial diagnosis is not CREST but proximal scleroderma. The term "systemic sclerosis" is not very accurate. This is because patients with CREST or limited scleroderma develop lung involvement, and thus, systemic disease. On the other hand, patients with proximal scleroderma may on rare occasions have only tight skin and NO internal organ involvement, and thus, do NOT have systemic disease. Regarding your MD, my recommendation would be to find someone with experience in scleroderma, independently of her (his) isurance status. Sincerely, Dolores Vazquez-Abad, MD http://www2.uchc.edu/~vazquez ——————-==== Posted via Deja News ====———————– http://www.dejanews.com/ Search, Read, Post to Usenet
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