I have an appointment to see a respiratory consultant in 2 weeks . After worrying about pulmonary fibrosis, I’m now worrying about schlerderma ( prob not spelt right!) .At the same time as my breathlessness started I noticed my fingers were getting increasingly dry. They cracked and bled. Now they are healing but are scarred and pitted in places with dryness down to the knuckles of my fingers. I also have pain n my hands. I thought the dryness was due to damage from acrylic nails but probably not. I do not have raynaulds.
I looked at the other skin things which I don’t have . Everywhere on Google it makes out this is terrible and will kill me !
very frightened!
I need some reassurance 😢
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Bronte007
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15 Replies
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put Dr Google back in his box, lock it and don’t let him out again! You are seeing a real expert in two weeks about your breathing and they can tell you if it is linked to dry skin and the pain in your hands. Scleroderma is a rare autoimmune disease. Your doctor can do blood tests for this. Also, rheumatoid arthritis can be linked to respiratory problems and painful joints. Only the experts can tell you. There is treatment for all of this and just like so many of us on this forum, you will know what you are dealing with and will manage it. Try to calm down and stop the catastrophising. Good luck with the consultant. I hope that they give you the help and advice that you need.
I recommend a dose of calm common sense and Littlepom has just given you a spoonful. Just follow the advice which will be given to you by the medical experts, reign in that vivid imagination of yours and enjoy life. Mr Google can tell you some happy cheerful things if you ask him the right question. 😉x
In the interim as this is a newer problem and very visible see your GP or a Practice Nurse whichever is the quickest and soonest as well. Google is a bit of a mountain at times your calm needs to be kept in check! Take care and stay safe.
Brontë, you have 2 weeks to wait for more information and a way forward, even if that were to mean further tests.
My suggestion would be to use that time trying to relax and doing things you enjoy, not terrifying yourself with every potential reason you’ve been experiencing shortness of breath.
Whatever it is, it’s unlikely to be as bad as some of the scenarios I bet have gone through your head.
Waiting isn’t great, but wasting perfectly good like scaring the life out of yourself is much worse.
Hi I have bronchiectasis and am very breathless. My hands get very dry but this is down to constantly washing them (since covid started). I now use carex handwash (the one for sensitive hands) and then moisturise (non perfume hand cream). Hands are much better. Maybe worth a try. Littlepom and the Don are very wise. I listen to their advice all the time, helps keep me strong when I feel lonely and sorry for myself 🙂. Take care xxx
I know, it's hard not to panic sometimes. I also find Blackbirds lovely photos very helpful. I try to keep them in my minds eye and picture them when needed. They can be calming and/or uplifting. This is a great site with so many lovely personalities 🙂👍xxx
i have a" blackbirds file "that i can look at when the world gets too much
saved in indivual file. skies trees water horses and this time of year is the time for foals and young deer . Stan the man can be s saved for a laugh !
There's a song in the Disney 'Alice in Wonderland' film which starts 'I used to give myself some very good advice, But I very seldom followed it.' I think a lot of us do that. Personally I find Atrixo works wonders for my dry hands. I hope you can suppress the worries and keep away from Dr. Google for the next fortnight. Some people have sympathetic doctors who will prescribe a mild relaxant to tide them over a very bad patch. Good luck. xxx
Definitely put Dr Google away. We could all frighten ourselves into having all manner of illnesses. Just make a cup of tea, feet up with a good book and wait to see the consultant. You’ll soon be sorted. Big hugs 🤗
Had very similar experience as you. Don't panic. It's very likely localised which means it's not going to make lung matters worse. Get a rheumatology referral from your lung tram and let them assess you.
Please try not to worry, my mum has Scleroderma and it is well managed. Scleroderma is different for everyone so please try not to Google. Take care I hope all goes well at your appointment xx
Hi thereMy mum had pulmonary fibrosis and scleroderma along with it came Raynaud's. She lived up to the age of 77 and although it was painful and restrictive in a lot of ways she managed a reasonable quality of life. Unbelievably she battled it but ended up with vascular dementia totally unrelated! I suppose what I am saying is don't rely on Dr Google it will always give you a worse case scenario. I am battling both MND and COPD if I had relied on Google I may have just curled up. But 2 years after diagnosis here I am ! Never give up and keep fighting focus on what you can do not what you cannot. I know how difficult this is so good luck and love and light to you x
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