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Angela M: Diffuse Scleroderma

I am fifty-eight years old, and I was diagnosed with this illness about six years ago, but probably had it before.

Up until now I have had polymyositis that got better with a bit of cortisone, esophagitis kept at bay with medicine and some heart problems. A while ago my hands started to swell, and my middle finger is a bit bent. The rheumatologist that treats me says it is due to the illness, but my orthopedist says it is a problem that should be operated. Whom should I believe?

I have been through surgery on one finger where I had endrocoma, amartoma in a lung, angioplastia, carpal tunnel. These days I take Ticlopidina 250mg twice daily, Azatioprina 50mg daily, Sotalolo 40mg three everyday, omeprazen 20mg in the morning, folina 5mg, Inegy 10/20mg in the evening.

But what hurts me the most is that my children believe this is an imaginary illness. Perhaps they don't want to realize the truth?

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ISN Artist: Sherrill Knaggs (In Loving Memory)

Sherrill Knaggs, ISN Artist, created the digital photo to illustrate the story on this page. Sherrill lived in New Zealand. Her story was featured in ISN's book, Voices of Scleroderma Volume 2.

ISN Translator and Editor: Alba León

Alba León is the ISN Translator for this page. She is studying international relations in Mexico City.

ISN Story Editor: Judith Thompson Devlin

Judith Thompson Devlin is the ISN Story Editor for this story. She is also lead editor of the ISN's wonderful Voices of Scleroderma book series!

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