Is this Telangiectasia?

[Rudiguer]

I have noticed quite a few red spots like this; a couple on my chest and quite a few on my tummy. Are these Telangiectasias? My rheumatologist said I had none when I saw him but he did not even check or ask me if I had these spots. By then I did not even know they could be linked to Scleroderma. I now need to know if they are. Thank you very much.

[Mylreaclairelee]

I have them on my face only as far as i know. Lip, forehead and nose. I believe it means you more than likely to have them on the stomach lining-Watermelon Stomach (GAVE) which I have.

[Rudiguer in reply to Mylreaclairelee]

Hi Mylreaclairelee. Are you having any medication for the watermelon stomach? When I search telangiectasia it does not mention red dots on the stomach area. Every time that I read about it it says they appear on face, mouth, tongue, chest and somewhere else but no websites seem to mention the red dots/ veins in the stomach area. I thought that with the watermelon stomach the telangiectasia can just be seen internally by doing tests. Thank you so much for your response. I appreciate it.

[Mylreaclairelee in reply to Rudiguer]

Yes I recently had a gastroscopy which showed up the Watermelon Stomach. It was Prof Denton at The Royal Free that told me that about the connection.

[Rudiguer in reply to Mylreaclairelee]

Thank you very much for the information. It is very useful to know as I have finally been referred to Professor Denton myself. My rheumatologist is not interested in doing any tests so I have to do all the research to discuss things with my GP who is the only one who really cares and is happy to try different things and refer me to the Royal Free. Thank you. I will do more research about the water melon stomach. I have been having digestive problems for 15 years and it seems to be getting worse and worse. My stomach gets really swollen as soon as I eat or drink anything. It seems like I am pregnant and continue to have to buy new clothes as I feel very uncomfortable if clothes are not loose. This might explain this symptoms. I have recently been feeling lots of heartburn too ,which I had never experienced before.

[fitlifestyle in reply to Rudiguer]

Have you been tested for gastroparesis? I struggled with similar symptoms before I was diagnosed and understood how to manage it.

[Mylreaclairelee]

It is very common in Scleroderma to have gut issues. Have you ever had a gastroscopy? I've just had my 2nd in 4 years. First one all was fine but the 2nd one showed GAVE. Also get shocking reflux and bloating. You will be in good hands at Royal Free and with an understanding doctor also. You are lucky to find one. Most know nothing much about us.

[Rudiguer]

Many years ago I had a barium test when I was living in Spain and I was told I had dyspepsia but I was not given any treatment. In the UK they have told me it was IBS ages ago so I gave up. I know it is not just IBS. The same happened with my dermatologist. He said I just had dry skin and had to put any random cream to hydrate them. Last August I was diagnosed with scleroderma and underactive thyroid and now my GP is asking me to show the blood test results to my dermatologist.

[linda-l]

I have Sjogren's and Scleroderma overlap and have the red spots lots of places - hands, face neck and the Eastman Dental Hospital say the inside of my mouth is covered in them. I also have thyroid eye disease, bronchiectasis and ILD (lungs). The conditions are all linked.

I used to have the reflux but I take natural kefir every day and no longer suffer from, at least, this symptom. It's really worth try.

Sadly, autoimmune disease has multiple symptoms, most very unpleasant.

It's so good you're seeing a specialist. My GP has referred me to seven different specialists, all of whom I see regularly. I I'm so grateful for this. He says all the different conditions are too complicated for a GP to treat.

Hope you get some answers and help

[amd21]

Hi rudi, I wouldn't worry too much that looks much more like a cherry or senile angioma from that photo which are just a benign and common part of aging. Do an image search for cherry angioma and look - my chest and belly have many of them.alan

[HLEWISKY]

I too would like to know as I have many of these on my torso. They just appeared around a year ago and seem to be increasing.

[Zen100]

I have Scleroderma as well as several other conditions. I am sure water melon stomach only affects the stomach lining ie it is only visible on internal examination.

I have Telengactasias on my face and they are flat red patches, not raised at all. This is typical. My consultant explained that one way to diagnose them is to press them and, unlike most such marks, the redness does not go away under pressure. Hope this helps.