|  Hi, two years ago, my father was diagnosed with CREST Syndrome as well as with Overlap Syndrome. This year my father got really ill. He suffered from two episodes of oesophageal bleeding ; in the course of the last bleed, he nearly died. Since then oesophageal varices continued to develop and new varices were found last week. What was also observed about two years ago, was that his blood results became very bad; even taking 20mg cortisone daily, his thrombocytes are about 30,000 and his leukocytes are 2,000. His skin has become very sensitive. Even light pressure easily causes bloody effusion as well as skin bleeding. A sticking plaster can also cause these symptoms. His rheumatologist is giving him a new basic therapy with Quensyl. Before he got worse this spring, he was given Resochin. Two haematologists have done bone marrow biopsies and yet they were not able to make a diagnosis and have decided that CREST Syndrome is the reason for his suffering. My father's health is getting worse and I am very worried about him. Maybe there is someone who has a similar or the same problem and this person could write to me. The doctors cannot help my father. Most of the doctors in the hospital say that they are facing a puzzle. | 
