SSC with lungs fibrosis

[Jkan]

Hello everyone,

Hope all doing well.

8yrs ago I was diagnosed with SLE and Rheumatoid arthritis and have been on med for the same but 2 weeks ago my new Rheumatologist said I have Systemic sclerosis with lungs fibrosis at initial stage and not SLE. Has anyone been in such situation I unable to understand which diagnosis is right.

Also for SSC do I consult rheumatologist or a dermatologist who specialist in SSC.

Thank you & stay blessed

[sarahsch]

Hi Jkan,

sometimes the autoimmune rheumatic diseases can be difficult to distinguish, overlap, and develop at different rates & so you can have symptoms of a number & get confusing diagnosis.

Rheumatologists don't always recognise all symptoms unless they have experience of them. Systemic sclerosis is rarer than SLE & this has historically been an issue.

Whether you primarily see a Rheumatologist or Dermatologist will depend on your primary symptom, you may see both, but for lung involvement it will probably be a Rheumatology lead supported by others as required.

The Royal Free hospital in London has a specialist Scleroderma clinic. Scleroderma & Raynaud's UK (SRUK) are the supporting charity. They are also on Health Unlocked.

A lot of the medications are common to all of the rheumatic autoimmune diseases with others being introduced depending on symptoms.

Hope this helps for now, but do ask for clarification at your next appointment.

Sarah x

[Jkan in reply to sarahsch]

Hi Sarah,

Thank you.

I live in Dubai over here we do not have any such group where I can discuss.

Started my treatment with Rheumatologist and consulting dermatologist and pulmonologist aswell. I am visiting another rheumatologist for second opinion let’s see what she has to say.