Scleroderma Information » Scleroderma » silica link to SD
Question:
Hi and welcome. I worked in a pottery factory for a couple of years and one of the main ingredients is silica and one of the jobs mentioned in any of the lists is pottery worker. Good luck with your search, research and compensation. Call your insurance and see if there’s any other doctors you can see that they cover. Nell
Response:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -On Thu, 31 Oct 2002 19:11:30 -0800 (PST), HJRobl…@webtv.net wrote: >Hi everyone. I have ‘en coup de sabre’. I’ve only had visible symptoms >for less than two months. Been searching ever since the dermatologist >told me it was morphea and sent me on my way to research it for myself. >I have since found that silica is suspected as a link to the cause. >Guess what….I am a fire extinguisher technician and the dry chemicals >lists silica as an ingredient on some fact sheets. Don’t want to work >there anymore but can’t afford to quit and especially can’t afford to >lose med ins. Called dr. office to ask if I apply for workmens comp, >would he be able to give his opinion that my work may be a trigger and >the nurse told I have to bring in my research on my next visit…in two >weeks…. and that if I want information sooner, to see another doctor >(at my own expense of course) or get another job. Her attitude was just >downright mean. Of course some of these specialists can afford to have >unprofessional nurses because their offices are overflowing with >patients like me who have no other choice. >Anyway, I needed to ‘vent’ and thankfully you are here. I guess I’ll >just stick it out at work. My boss offered me more money and doesn’t >understand how worried I am that continued exposure may lead to systemic >SD although it is rare to have both localized and systemic. Anyone else >been in contact with silica? Thanks for listening to a ‘new member of >your very exclusive club’.
I have CREST and for many years I’ve worked with stained glass. Because I use a grinding machine to shape each piece, much glass dust is kicked up. Also, being a trumpet player, many of the lubricants that are used on the trumpet valves are made with a silicone base. Often times I was liberal with its use where I’d pour a whole bunch of it down the bell of the horn. Needless to say, because it is a wind instrument, it’s function is orally powered. Many was the day I’d have that foul taste valve oil meaning that I ingested it. I don’t know if there is a cumulative effect, but what you mention does set off alarms in my head. Thankfully lubricants containing silicone and kerosene are now being replaced by lubricants made from ’safer’ elements. BOB – "You only lie to two people in your life: Your girlfriend and the police." – Jack Nicholson No spam, one com after the @attbi
Response:
Hi – sorry we are welcoming you to our club. All the pertinent info on scleroderma and silica has to do with systemic scleroderma, not localized. Some mention is made in a few studies I saw but there wasn’t a breakout between localized and systemic patients who had silica exposure, so the end numbers didn’t prove anything for (or against) localized. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&… http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&… http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&… http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&… Another problem is that most of these studies refer to extreme exposure to silica, like in mining. Have you seen an MSDS like this? You should get a copy from your employer of the exact product you’re working with. http://www.flagfire.com/pdf_files/pdc_msds.pdf Here’s some info from NIOSH you may want to have: http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/02-129E.html How old are you? It seems odd to have en coup de sabre suddenly appearing as an adult. Might be something to ask that doc with the snotty nurse about. 
If you haven’t yet, you may want to contact the Scleroderma Foundation and get more information on localized scleroderma. They have a large library of medical info – maybe they could find more on localized and silica exposure. They’re at www.scleroderma.org or 1-800-722-HOPE. Amie
Response:
Hi everyone. I have ‘en coup de sabre’. I’ve only had visible symptoms for less than two months. Been searching ever since the dermatologist told me it was morphea and sent me on my way to research it for myself. I have since found that silica is suspected as a link to the cause. Guess what….I am a fire extinguisher technician and the dry chemicals lists silica as an ingredient on some fact sheets. Don’t want to work there anymore but can’t afford to quit and especially can’t afford to lose med ins. Called dr. office to ask if I apply for workmens comp, would he be able to give his opinion that my work may be a trigger and the nurse told I have to bring in my research on my next visit…in two weeks…. and that if I want information sooner, to see another doctor (at my own expense of course) or get another job. Her attitude was just downright mean. Of course some of these specialists can afford to have unprofessional nurses because their offices are overflowing with patients like me who have no other choice. Anyway, I needed to ‘vent’ and thankfully you are here. I guess I’ll just stick it out at work. My boss offered me more money and doesn’t understand how worried I am that continued exposure may lead to systemic SD although it is rare to have both localized and systemic. Anyone else been in contact with silica? Thanks for listening to a ‘new member of your very exclusive club’.
no comment untill now