Scleroderma Support Group
Scleroderma is a rare, chronic disease characterized by excessive deposits of collagen. Scleroderma affects the skin, and in more serious cases it can affect the blood vessels and internal organs. The most evident symptom is the hardening of the skin and associated scarring.
Hello all,
I am undiagnosed as I am waiting to get in with a Rhuemy. My doctor thinks I have CREST but I also have a lot of neuropathy, joint pain, muscle pain etc all over my body so she also thinks it could be MCTD.
I was just wondering if anyone's hands are a different colour then the rest of their body? My hands for the past 6 months (in a bad flare) a pink from above the wrist down with very red knuckles. I understand the red knuckles as I have a lot of joint pain right now but I'm wondering why my had is a different colour? It almost looks like they have gotten to much sun (slightly impossible as I live in Canada and have been wearing mittens for months now). My face also has a similar appearance of being red and tight like having a sunburn.
Anyone else?
I am undiagnosed as I am waiting to get in with a Rhuemy. My doctor thinks I have CREST but I also have a lot of neuropathy, joint pain, muscle pain etc all over my body so she also thinks it could be MCTD.
I was just wondering if anyone's hands are a different colour then the rest of their body? My hands for the past 6 months (in a bad flare) a pink from above the wrist down with very red knuckles. I understand the red knuckles as I have a lot of joint pain right now but I'm wondering why my had is a different colour? It almost looks like they have gotten to much sun (slightly impossible as I live in Canada and have been wearing mittens for months now). My face also has a similar appearance of being red and tight like having a sunburn.
Anyone else?
DM symptoms are as follows: Red face, red shawl type rash around neck, gottron's papules ON the knuckles which are red. (Papules above the knuckles is more lupus than DM). Severe symmetrical muscle weakness in the arms & legs. High creatine kinase score that is above normal. Elevated liver enzymes.
DM sometimes will begin gradually for some people with just skin issues. The symmetrical muscle weakness is necessary for a DM diagnosis, unless the rashes are very severe.
DM is a connective tissue disease too. If the palms of your hands are red then that is liver disease.
The rheumatologist will run a complete metabolic panel blood test. If you do have an above normal CPK (creatine kinase) score then it could be dermatomyositis. Your rheumy would refer you to a neurologist for a muscle biopsy if DM is suspected. DO NOT TAKE prednisone or any disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs until AFTER the muscle biopsy if DM is suspected. Starting medications before a full DM diagnosis will mess up the muscle biopsy results.
This website has a dermatomyositis group so please feel free to join us if you suspect DM.
Do look up pictures for "gottron's papules" on the hands on google to see if your hands look the same. Do look up Dermatomyositis face rash and shawl sign on google pictures to see if you match too.
Keep us posted. Best Wishes.