Ariane Herrick

[Eden1234]

Hi, Just wondered if anyone has been under the care of consultant Ariane Herrick in Manchester for SSc and wouldn’t mind sharing your experience of her as a consultant. Many thanks in advance.

[Worried_partner]

Hello EdenMy partner is under Prof Herricks care. I’ve found that she is good but doesn’t always explain things. Her team are excellent and very caring. I feel that appointments can sometimes feel a bit rushed, but think that’s more the volume of work than anything. I would be interested to hear of other experiences too.

[trunchalobesity]

I have never seen her as I’m in Birmingham but she is very well regarded as a Scleroderma specialist and have heard her at conference.

[positivedaybyday]

Hi,I have been under Prof Herrick since July 2017, basically she saved my life! I was diagnosed with acute Diffuse Systemic Sclerosis in 2017 which progressed aggressively.

I would totally place my trust in her & her team.

I always went armed with a list of questions whilst my sister wrote the answers down.

She is very empathetic & did her job to the utmost degree even when an answer to a question I posed was quite a shock to me.

As with this disease, we vary so much so wait times can be delayed. I found I was never rushed whilst she explained the intricacies of this awful disease.

She has immense knowledge of Systemic Sclerosis (Scleroderma) & will guide you at every stage of this disease.

As mine was the worst of the worst & at an early stage no stone was left unturned to save my life.

I was extremely lucky however as the disease had not adversely affected my organs at this stage & she discussed a possible option of stem cell treatment. She gave me all the information I needed to make an informed decision.

In my case, Mycrophenolate was not stopping the fast progression & my skin score had reached 48 by November 17!

I was referred to Sheffield in January 2018 & after passing a range of tests, performed this amazing treatment in May 2018.

However it's very rare to have the disease progress so rapidly. I found out later that only 20 people in the last 20 years have had stem cell treatment for our disease in the UK.

I'm now starting to have a fairly normal life though I will never be the active adventurous person I was before this disease changed my life. It has changed my prospect of life in that I cherish each day & enjoy as much as I'm able. I accept more easily now that one day I feel great & the next day I may need to rest.

I hope my response has helped you be less worried on this journey. Trust in your team & remember to have lots of questions ready as there is so much to learn.

Xxxx

[Rossendale]

I am waiting to see her, was referred by my Consultant Rheumatologist early April. I haven't heard anything as yet. Good luck.