AboutAmelia Yaussy Expertise I can answer questions about systemic scleroderma and live and internet resources to help you cope with this disease. I have personal experince with scleroderma, osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia, and Sjogren's Syndrome.
Experience I am a systemic scleroderma patient (12 years) and have been active in support online for nearly the same amount of time. I proposed the Usenet newsgroup alt.support.scleroderma and own the website ihavescleroderma.com.
Organizations I am a board member and volunteer for the Scleroderma Foundation, Ohio Chapter.
Publications Arthritis Today, Sept 1997, "A guide to the internet"
Education/Credentials International Webmasters Association, Web Technologies Certification
Awards and Honors Volunteer of the Year, Scleroderma Foundation, 2004; Advocacy Appreciation Award, Scleroderma Foundation, 2005
Question i have been diagnosed with scleroderma. My consultant put me on methotrexate. I have also been having light therapy. However, today they have stopped my light therapy. What, if any complications could occur?
Answer You don't say what type you've been diagnosed with. Localized scleroderma has few complications, and most are with children as they develop muscle and tissue problems in the area of the sclerotic skin. Localized scleroderma in the face and head ("en coupe de sabre") can cause problems with eyesight and hair loss.
Systemic scleroderma can cause life-threatening complications with the GI tract, lungs, heart, and kidneys. Serious problems can arise with major damage to blood vessels from fibrosis, like sores on fingers and toes that will not heal and eventually become gangrenous.
Remember, though, that not everything that can happen in scleroderma will happen to you. We all have different combinations of symptoms and how our disease develops is different from others. For instance, my aunt has scleroderma and had severe hand contractures and widespread skin involvement with slight internal complications. Even though we're related, my scleroderma has caused only slight contractures, but I've had life-threatening complications of the kidneys and heart.
