Welcome. My name is Eliza and this story is not about me but about my mother-in-law.

Three years ago a mark appeared on my mother-in-law's thigh; she thought that she had hurt herself and that was the reason she had this blemish. After some time the mark started to grow bigger and so she went to see a dermatologist, who took a biopsy.

Unfortunately, he did not make a clear diagnosis and started trial-and-error treatment; he also used steroids that were, however, not successful. Despite taking different tablets and applying various creams to the mark, no improvement was seen.

Later on, new marks appeared under one breast and in an armpit. My mother-in-law abandoned this doctor and went to see another one who also took a biopsy but then diagnosed scleroderma. The doctor said that the disease is incurable but not too severe; one has to learn how to live with it. And that is how he concluded his treatment.

In the meantime her ankle swelled up. She went to a rheumatologist who, after performing some tests, diagnosed lymphangitis and said that it could be linked to scleroderma. The rheumatologist warned her that scleroderma is by no means a benign disease, but it can be linked to a stomach problem for which my mother-in-law has been treated for many years as well as to her asthma. He concluded that scleroderma could attack the entire body including the bones and the internal organs. Who should we listen to? Who is right? Where should we look for help?

To end, I add only that my Mother-in-law has undergone several operations and has taken countless pills (but she is not an abuser of drugs).

Thank you for your interest.

Yours Sincerely,

Eliza