Barb’s scleroderma AP journal

[BarbW]

Disease History and Previous Treatment

Diagnosed with Diffuse Scleroderma in mid-2005 by Dr. Virginia Steen. First symptoms were swelling of hands. Fairly rapid progression of swelling and tightening of hands, feet, wrists, ankles followed immediately.
Treated with low-dose prednisone, naproxen and penicillamine beginning fall 2005. After 4 or 5 years, reduced the prednisone from 7.5mg daily to 3mg every other day in order to stop bone loss. Added plaquenil.

The major detectable symptoms of my disease have been caused by continued progression of collagen deposits in the fasciae. This started with the hands and feet and gradually over the course of 6 years expanded asymmetrically toward and into the trunk. Basically, the tendons, ligaments and thin veils of fascia that line muscles thicken and then harden. (A nurse once very aptly referred to this as

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