Hi to all and hope yous are well. I was at hospital today and the specialist thinks I have CREST, she's taken bloods then wants me to go back in 3 weeks to take a skin biopsy. I was just wondering if any of you fellow sufferes have heard of this before.
Love and hugs xx Kitty
I have this, its more usual name now is scleroderma or systemic sclerosis (CREST is the limited cutaneous form). If you go on the scleroderma and raynauds site on here you will find out a lot more about this condition. It is an autoimmune disease, but seems to affect people in a variety of ways, so it is hard to say exactly how it will affect you.CREST stands for calcinosis, Raynaud's phenomenon, esophageal dysmotility, sclerodactyly, and telangiectasia.
Thnx pinkcat26. Is there any specific test(blood or any other) to identify CREST?
Hi there, they test the ANA anti nuclear antibody to see which pattern it is, I have Overlap connective tissue disease with the CREST phenotype as well as fibro, the usual pattern for crest is Anti Centromere, there are several patterns which usually determine the type of connective tissue disease you may have like Lupus, scleroderma etc. CREST is the limited form of scleroderma.
There’s a Raynauds and scleroderma page on HU, might be a good idea to follow it if you have more questions about it, I think you’ll find it helpful.
Hope this helps a little.
Wishing you well.
Diane x
When i was diagnosed i had a very high rheumatoid factor as well as the 'sausage fingers' and red spots on my hands (telangiectasia) which are tell-tale signs, my GP recognised these and sent me to a rheumatologist who did further blood tests and examination before making his diagnosis. Prior to this, i had had Raynauds for over 30 years. Fibro symptoms are also typical of this condition.
Hi Pinkcat I have marks over both cheeks, fibro, reynards, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, copd, both hands go numb and tingling and I am now waiting for ulnar nerve surgery. Yesterday I went to see dermatology and they have suggested that it is CREST so just waiting for blood results and then she is going to take skin biopsy from my face. Thank you so much for getting back to me and the infomation as I had never heard of it before yesterday xx Kitty
Hi pinkcat26
Your reply to Kittyjack made me wonder if i have Crest.I have some of the conditions you mentioned.I was diagnosed with Raynauds around 1994-95,Fibromyalgia in 2005 -tho had it from 1995 .oesophegeal Dysmotility about 3 years ago .I have a skin condition which i am under Dermatologist for,Since 2011 I havent seen a consultant (Rheumatologist) btu have seen an Endocrinologist six months ago and Acromegaly and Cushings ruled out.
~I can show this to my GP ,Thank you
No what is it xxxx
Aspergers and Fibromyalgia
Severe pain on left side
Can't be bothered to do the cleaning!!
Struggling with guilt 
Amitriptyline and weight Gain 
