Scleroderma Case Studies
I was diagnosed with Raynaud’s and scleroderma in January 2004. I was 26 years old. At the time I thought it was the end of the world, I was so tired all the time, I was in constant pain, I couldn’t walk properly, couldn’t dress myself, couldn’t get up and downstairs anymore and couldn’t do the things I had taken for granted in the past. On hearing my diagnosis, I took it very hard and even now years later it still upsets me thinking about it. After many sleepless nights of worrying I thought to myself that this disease was not going to rule me - I was going to be strong. I didn’t want to become a burden to my family and friends and I certainly didn’t want them worrying about me so I tried not to say how I was really feeling and would just smile and say ‘I’m fine thanks.’ I used to joke to myself saying one day I would write a book its title being ‘I’m Fine Thanks.’
My symptoms started in September last year when my fingertips would go almost black and the searing pain was like having them shut in a door. They would ulcerate badly for months on end and the joint pain was excruciating.
The Californian heat was blazing but my fingers were blue and numb. I was 20, on holiday in America and puzzled as to what was wrong with me. Back home, my GP said I had Raynaud’s and suggested I could have tablets to improve my circulation but I decided not to take them.
Winter is not Tina Caswell’s favourite time of year. Everyday tasks like driving and gardening are more difficult, and she often faces a £200 bill to heat her home. The 60 year old grandmother suffers from CREST, a form of scleroderma. I don’t really understand much about it, admitted Tina. It’s a strange feeling having a condition that affects the blood vessels, inner organs and tissues. I don’t like things controlling me: with CREST I do what I can, when I can and try to be positive.
Laraine Woodall from Abram, near Wigan is a 54 year old mother-of-three who was first diagnosed with Raynaud’s four years ago. More recently, she found out that she also has scleroderma.