Scleroderma Case Studies
Until five years ago I had never heard of Scleroderma and even Raynaud's was a phenomenon that I had read about but just thought my cold hands and feet were a normal reaction to the cold! Then, suffering from what I thought might be arthritis in my thumbs (my Gran had had rheumatoid arthritis) I went to the doctor. Well, the consultant said don't worry you have the less serious form of scleroderma - called CREST and that was it! No treatment, tests, just an annual check up and that with an assistant who thought there was nothing wrong! But also that year - I was diagnosed with breast cancer which needless to say wiped everything else from my mind.
Aged 35, Deirdre Yager first became aware something was wrong in 1995 when she started having breathing problems. She had developed scarring in her lungs - caused by the production of collagen, which was reducing their capacity. However, doctors failed to pick up on these signs at the time and she was only properly diagnosed as having scleroderma three years later, at the Royal Free Hospital.
My first intimation that I had a problem was back in 1979 when, as I was hurrying along Baker Street (I then worked in Harrow) on a cold London foggy day, my feet in my smart business shoes felt quite numb. Reaching the warm meeting room, I was surprised to find that with my shoes off under the desk nothing improved. I sought no help with this although it happened whenever I was walking on cold pavements and at that time it did not affect my hands.
As a keen marathon runner, Anne Nequest is fully aware of the attributes required to go the distance but even she has struggled to cope since being diagnosed with Raynaud's and limited scleroderma, also known as Crest syndrome.