Crest/limited

[Snowbird]

Hi

 

I think I might be either missing or overlooking something? Are CREST and Limited actually the same diagnosis under Systemic Scleroderma?

 

Thanks, Ramona

[janey]

Ramona,
I think it's who you talk to and what article your read. I have read some medical sites that now place CREST as a form of limited, but CREST and limited are normally diagnosed differently. Both are forms of systemic scleroderma.

CREST is a form of Systemic Sclerosis (scleroderma) which is characterized by Calcinosis (calcium deposits), usually in the fingers; Raynaud's;loss of muscle control of the Esophagus, which can cause difficulty swallowing; Sclerodactyly, a tapering deformity of the bones of the fingers; and Telangiectasia, small red spots on the skin of the fingers, face, or inside of the mouth. A person with CREST has two or more of these conditions.

Limited Scleroderma is diagnosed when there is tight skin limited to the fingers, along with either pitting digital ulcers (secondary to Raynaud's) and/or lung fibrosis. This is considered to be a "milder" form of Scleroderma. The skin of the face and neck may also be involved in Limited Scleroderma. You can also have Raynaud's, GI problems and some internal organ problem. It progresses slower than diffuse scleroderma and has less skin involvement.

I hope this helps.

Big Hugs,

[truman]

I was told by my rheumatologist that based on tests, I have CREST, but am one step short of Scleroderma.

[nan]

Ramona,

I have CREST syndrome and I have been told that CREST is an old term, now most doctors call it Limited Cutaneous Systemic Sclerosis. On a brochure I have it says, CREST syndrome, also known as Limited Cutaneous Systemic Sclerosis. I hope that helps you.

Nan

[CraigR]

Scleroderma can seem to vary quite a bit among patients. Then there's MCTD (Mixed Connective Tissue Disease) which is closely related.

 

I was diagnosed (30 years ago) with CREST. However, if I were to use that terminology, it would have to be CRST, as I don't have esophogeal involvement. Over time, however, I've developed lung involvement.

 

Craig

[Snowbird]

Thanks for your responses everybody, it sure sounds like they are all rolled into one, doesn't it.....a bit of this and a bit of that eventually makes one of those, eehh! Ramona