Does Raynauds always progress to Scleroderma?

[faith89]

What are the first symptoms of Scleroderma?

Thanks,

Faith

[Hidden]

Hello Faith, not necessarily as there is primary Raynauds as well which is not linked to scleroderma. I was diagnosed with scleroderma and Raynaud's which was confirmed by blood tests. I had a auto antibodiies screen blood test, which showed up scleroderma. The first symptom i had was Raynaud's. I had terrible pain in both hands especially during the night and kept me awake. The circulation reduced in my hands when lying down and the burning and pins and needles kept me awake all night. I had to hang my hands out of the bed to get some relief. That is why i went to my doctor in the beginning. Then whenever i went outside my hands went numb and blue and the pain started. They also swell and over heat as well. One of my fingers is curling over slightly and my thumb was locking which i had injected recently. There are a multitude of symptoms, as it effects people differently. You are not going to have every symptom all of the time. That is why this site is good ,as you can share with others their experiences, which may be quite different to yours. If you are worried you should speak to your gp. Wishing you well, Nuala

[faith89 in reply to Hidden]

Nuala, Thanks for the info. I wouldn't say my fingers are shiny, but the tips are definitely red and swollen from the constant freezing and unfreezing. I don't have any problem swollowing, but have begun to feel a heaviness in my chest. I am also on Lyrica and Savella which do mimic some of these symptoms. Thanks, I'll keep you posted.

[zenabb]

It is difficult to answer your question. You can have Raynaud's without Scleroderma. I had trouble with my bowels which turned out to be scleroderma. But other people have other symptoms. If you are worried why not ask your GP to refer you to a rheumatologist.

[Hidden]

Most people with raynauds do not get scleroderma. I had gangrene in my finger and antibodies for Scleroderma. I have massive problems with reflux, calcinosis which can pop through the skin, joint pain and skin spot/blotches called talangectasia. People experience different probs with scleroderma, but it can be very serious, and raynauds is just one of the symptoms.

[living-the-dream-ssc-ray]

Hi everyone !

my tips for spotting scleroderma to the untrained human eye are : shiny, plump swollen fingers - sensitive to touch and lose strength; shiny tight skin on face; tightening of skin on face and trunk and legs with occasional itching; difficulty in swallowing; extreme tiredness (I thought I had been partying too much !) The blood tests then confirm the presence of scleroderma if there are elevated levels of autonuclearantibodies (ANA).

Faith - I do hope you do not tick these boxes ! However the earlier the diagnosis, the better, so that intervention can halt some of the devastating destruction this health challenge poses !

BTW - inkedup - have you tried pawpaw lotion on your calcinosis? I can not tell you how over the moon I am with the results that I have had with the pawpaw lotion and healing my ulcers and calcium lumps. Ive tried all sorts but nothing has given me the welcome results that the pawpaw lotion has given me! It can only be bought in Australia, however, I ordered some from the website makeuwell.com/ and received it within a few weeks ! i would love to hear if it works for you also ?!

[Hidden]

I shall read up on the pawpaw lotion - thanks!

[Hidden]

My daughter has linear scleroderma of the arms and legs. The first symptom was that the skin on her hands was so tight, she couldn't make a fist. I noticed when I did a "thumbs-up" and when she responded with a "thumbs-up", her hands were not closed. When I asked her to close her hands into a fist, she couldn't do it. Thankfully, she has had no pain.