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Cara: Morphea
Over the years, I struggled with my ugly skin. But I have come to accept it.

Flowers for Cara by Shelley Ensz My name is Cara and I was diagnosed with morphea when I was eighteen years old. I am now thirty-one.

My first spot was on my upper back and it has very slowly spread to my left arm, abdomen, left upper leg, and right lower leg.

Over the years, I struggled with my ugly skin. But I have come to accept it.

I once tried Potaba, but it made me so nauseated that I stopped, I also remember using some steroid cream, but it did not seem to help. So I basically just lived with it.

I fell in love with and married a wonderful man who loves me for me. We are now four months pregnant. Over the last six months, my right hand has become swollen and tight, and both of my knees are stiff and sore, and my latest spot is on the top of my left hand.

Until now, I had only seen a dermatologist, but I recently saw a rheumatologist who says it's limited or localized scleroderma. Because of the pregnancy, I can't start any treatment like Methotrexate, but I read a story about some homeopathic treatments. I would be open to that if anyone has any information.

Anyone is welcome to email me if they want. Thanks for listening.

To Contact the Author
Cara
New email address needed.
Old Email: Caravp@hotmail.com
Story posted 11-18-01
Email note posted 01-18-05 SLE

Story Artist: Shelley Ensz
LINKS
Alternative Therapies
Limited Scleroderma
Morphea (Localized Scleroderma)
Pregnancy and Scleroderma
Types of Scleroderma

This story is featured in the book Voices of Scleroderma Volume 2
New Personal Stories
Mila: Morphea Now I am twenty-five years old, and that spot has grown throughout my right leg and on one side of my belly button...
(Español/Spanish) Mila: Morfea Hoy en día tengo 25 años y esa mancha está en toda mi pierna derecha y al lado de mi ombligo...
(Español/Spanish) (Update) Jeins: Esclerodermia Sistemica Difusa y Dermatopolimiositis Ya había escrito mi historia hace 3 años cuando recién estaba pasando por la enfermedad. Para quienes no lo saben tengo esclerodermia y dermatomiositis desde los 19 años.
Alana: Scleroderma (Peru) I cannot open my mouth completely, I have lost strength in my hands, I have breathing problems, my face looks different, my skin is really tight and I have lost my appetite...
(Español/Spanish) Alana: Paciente Nuevo con Esclerodermia (Peru) Le dije que ya no podía abrir la boca completamente, he perdido la fuerza de las manos, tengo problemas respiratorios, mi rosto está diferente, mi piel está dura y he perdido casi el apetito...
Kristy C: Generalized Morphea The only place where I do not have any morphea is my face, which I am very thankful for...
(Update) Raymond: Surviving Son of Scleroderma Patient On October 19th, the Herbert family lost another member of the family to scleroderma. My uncle Edmond has passed on...
More New Stories: November 2008
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