SclerodermaRF: The Fun Snatchers. Scleroderma, Raynaud's, Autoimmune, Rare Disease.

The Fun Snatchers

Scleroderma, Raynaud's, Autoimmune Rare Disease.

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Those three words, ‘You have scleroderma’….followed by, ‘and Raynaud’s’ have without doubt, life changing consequences, if not, life threatening consequences.

In this article, I discuss the day to day impact which these three words have, in relation to the lifestyle adjustments and changes required, to respect the full impact of the symptoms.

Paradoxically, hearing those words, actually come as a relief, to most scleroderma and Raynaud’s patients, as evidenced by my ‘patient profile combined with research campaign’, for June scleroderma awareness month 2017.

I have written about my initial diagnosis and the importance of an early diagnosis, previously.

As well as, my personal rationale for making the ‘patient profile combined with research campaign’, for June scleroderma awareness month 2017. Week 3.

I am truly convinced that my personal 20 year experience of living with scleroderma and Raynaud’s, is contributed to me being diagnosed within a few months of my initial presenting symptoms, followed by a second opinion at the Scleroderma Unit expert centre, The Royal Free Hospital, 15 months later.

Whereupon, I was subjected to a rigorous 18month chemotherapy regime which eventually stabalised my symptoms. With my ‘Skin now being cured from scleroderma’, 19 years later.

After having been told ‘You have scleroderma’, I was then told that I was probably looking at a maximum of 15months, due to the aggressiveness with which the disease was attacking my body.

At the time, 1997, I was working in the pharmaceutical industry as a medical representative, as well as, studying towards my barrister qualifications on a distance learning basis. I was advised to give up my dream of being a barrister and to accept my medical fate.

Scleroderma and Raynaud’s the fun snatchers

On 1^st March 2004 I qualified as a self employed barrister, and stopped the daily 2g mycophenolate mofetil regime of the previous 6 years.

I am now 13 years immunosuppressant / chemotherapy free. The only medication which I take is bosentan 125mg twice a day, along with Co-Proxamol analgesics for emergencies.

Sadly, the physical requirements of the barrister role were too demanding on my scleroderma and Raynaud’s damaged body.

Although my level of disease is stable, my day to day reality is dictated by my symptom demands caused by the damage from the scleroderma, when it was active.

Namely, musculoskeletal pain, GERD involvement, calcinosis and I have extremely sensitive Raynaud’s.

This combination of symptoms makes for easier management, by me staying at home as much as possible. In an attempt, to minimise severity, as well as, an attempt to prevent Raynaud’s attacks.

I also have a strict diet.

Hottest day of 2013 - I had to wear Ugg boots and gloves

Prior to my body developing scleroderma and Raynaud’s, I was a very outgoing social individual. Now, my social life, as well as my working / career life has been superseded by medical appointments taking priority in my diary and depleting my limited energy stores.

I am a huge fan of Andy Murray, the UK tennis player, who sadly was not able to defend his Wimbledon title fully this year, due to a hip injury.

I am sure, every scleroderma and Raynaud’s patient can relate to a similar intense disappointment and sadness at not being able to fulfil a desire, due to their body not being up to it.

In particular, I am no longer able to play tennis, a sport which I very much enjoyed.

Infact, all exercise is extremely challenging for my ‘tin man’ body. I have the utmost respect for my fellow patients who are still able to exercise.

I have learnt, over the last few decades, to not focus on what I can no longer do, and focus on what I can do, and, on what makes me feel good.

I have shared more of my coping strategies on my www.cosmicfairy444.blogspot.co.uk

So, although this party girl is no longer able to be so foot loose and fancy free, the party has been relocated to my lounge, with the best DJ, and no queue for the conveniences.

Living the dream, scleroderma style.

Please DONATE to help fund medical research at The Scleroderma Unit, The Royal Free Hospital, London where 100% of all of your monies will be used for medical research purposes only. Thank You.

#SclerodermaFreeWorld #RaynaudsFreeWorld
#RareDisease #Hope #Belief

Follow Raynauds Scleroderma Awareness Global Patients Facebook Page for latest updates

An edited version of this article was published here, in my Column with Scleroderma News.
July 2017.

Scleroderma Family Day 2020

25^th Anniversary Meeting

The Atrium, Royal Free Hospital, London, NW3 2QG

Chair: Professor Chris Denton

PROVISIONAL PROGRAMME

09.30 – 10.00 Registration and Coffee

10.00 – 10.20 Welcome Dame Carol Black

Prof Chris Denton & David Abraham

10.20 – 10.40 What is a Biopsy? Dr Kristina Clark

10.40 – 11.05 Dental aspects of Scleroderma Prof Stephen Porter

11.05 – 11.25 Gastrointestinal problems – Dr Fiza Ahmed

shedding new light on old problems

11.25 – 11.50 Pulmonary hypertension and the heart Dr Gerry Coghlan

11.50 – 12.15 Scleroderma cohort studies – Dr Francesco

‘Learning from our patients’ del Galdo

12.15 – 14.15 LUNCH BREAK – see below

14.15 – 14.45 25 years of progress – Prof Chris Denton

from ‘black box’ to ‘positive trials’

14.45 – 15.15 International speaker – Dr Madelon Vonk

Scleroderma Management in Netherlands

15.30 Raffle

Lunchtime Discussions Groups / Demonstrations include:

Clinical Trials Rachel Ochiel and team

National Institute of Health Research Christine Menzies

Drug Information / monitoring Pharmacy

Massage Keith Hunt MBE

Pulmonary Hypertension Education / nursing Sally Reddecliffe/Adele Dawson

Rheumatology Laboratory Research Laboratory Staff

Scleroderma Education / Nursing Louise Parker/ Joseph Cainap

Thermography Dr Kevin Howell

SRUK Ollie Scott

Sjogren’s syndrome British Sjogren’s Society

To Read My Articles:

Gift in My Will, Click here

Planning for the Future, Click here

Rare Disease Day:

Rare Disease Day 2020:

Listen to my interview with John Smeeton, (Silver Fox), from the Royal Free Radio, here

Raise awareness and donate to medical research, order your #SclerodermaFreeWorld #RaynaudsFreeWorld tshirt here

Rare Disease Day 2020: NIHR 'Research gives hope to Rare Disease patients', Click here

Rare Disease Day 2019: Leaving a Legacy Gift, Click here

Rare Disease Day 2019: 11am 97.4RockFM headlines, NO CURE, Click here

Rare Disease Day 2018 – Research, Taking Part in Clinical Trials. Scleroderma, Raynaud's, Autoimmune Rare Disease, Click here

2017 Rare Disease Day Medical Research

2017 Rare Disease Day unmet clinical needs to the scleroderma patient

2016 Rare Disease Day Patient Voice

2016 Rare Disease UK Parliamentary Reception

Rare Disease Day is a fantastic opportunity for the entire rare disease community to shine a spotlight on their reality, combining as one unified voice. Where, at least one commonality presides –

Medical Research
provides the brightest light,
for the illumination of
the rare disease patients’ plight.

To read about medical research at the scleroderma unit, Click here

Although rare disease patients are few in number, eg. 2.5 million scleroderma patients worldwide, (the World Scleroderma Foundation), the commonalities and golden hallmark for each rare disease patient are the same overall.

For optimum patient care, 3 hallmarks preside:

Early diagnosis

Expert specialist centers

Access to innovative medicines

supported by a medical ‘dream team’

(expert specialist as the clinical lead).

INVESTMENT in MEDICAL RESEARCH is CRUCIAL.

To read my articles:

Celebrating 20 years of being a patient at the Scleroderma Unit, Click here

2019 New Challenges, Click here

NIHR Video: 'My Experience of Clinical Trials', Click here

If we only had more RESEARCH investment for Scleroderma, Raynaud's, Autoimmune Rare Disease, Click here

The Importance of Medical Research and Awareness to the Scleroderma, Raynaud's, Autoimmune Rare Disease patient, Click here

2018 Scleroderma Awareness Raising and Medical Research, Click here

SCLERODERMA:

Importance of an early diagnosis, Click here

Taking Part in Clinical Research Trials, Click here

The Importance of a Multi Disciplinary Medical ‘Dream Team’, Click here

Expert Specialist Centres, Click here

My Skin is Cured from Scleroderma, Click here

UK Guidelines for Managing and Treating Scleroderma, Click here

Fatigue, Click here

Mobility, Click here

Diet and nutrition, Click here

Raynaud's- How to Diagnose, Click here

'All you need to know', 2016 Awareness Video, Click here

Global Patient Profiles 2018 Video, Click here

Unmet Medical Needs, Click here

Calcinosis Video, Click here

The scleroderma tooth fairy, Click here

Skin Cancer and scleroderma, Click here

Sept 2017

Prof Chris Denton and I, Sept 2017

June 2019

This year, 2020, I am celebrating 22 years of being a patient at the Scleroderma Unit, The Royal Free Hospital - a world leading expert specialist, research centre.

Read more, here.

I am eternally grateful to the global scleroderma trail blazers Dame Prof Black and Prof Chris Denton, whose commitment and dedication to unlocking the scleroderma enigma, is nothing other than, superhuman. Along with the Raynaud's world trail blazer, Dr Kevin Howell.

I am truly humbled and inspired by their work ethic and commitment to their patients.

I am wholly appreciative for Prof Denton’s continued medical expertise and support, especially during my barrister qualifying years, 1997 - 2004.

1^st March 2004, I qualified as a self employed practising barrister. Further to having been told in 1997, by my original diagnosing doctor, that I was looking at a 15month prognosis.

Chat Magazine May 2019

I very much hope to utilise my professional skills and qualifications along with my patient experience, to help achieve the #SclerodermaFreeWorld dream, hoping to improve understanding and best practice, in the meantime. Read more, here

World Scleroderma Day 2018, Click here

World Scleroderma Day 2017, 29th June, Click here

World Scleroderma Day 2016, 29th June. Origins of the date, Click here

World Scleroderma Day 2015, 29th June.

James Carver, myself, Prof Chris Denton

I had the pleasure of being a presenter and part of the European co-hort who gave a presentation at the European Parliament, Brussels, in honour of World Scleroderma Day 2015.

I am immensely grateful to James Carver, former MEP, for organizing this event in memory of his late wife Carmen, who sadly passed from Scleroderma.

To view the presentation, Click here

Raynaud's:

October:

Raynaud's, Click here

To view the UK treatment guidelines for Raynaud’s Phenomenon, Click here

To view the EULAR treatment guidelines, Click here

To view Thermograph Video, Click here

To view Thermograph image, Click here

My Raynaud’s reality, Click here

The global Raynaud's trailblazer - Dr Howell and I, Sept 2017

To view Nailfold Capillaroscopy equipment (used to identify possible blood vessel damage), Click here

Invisible Disability Awareness Video, Click here

To read My ‘Invisible Disability’ experience, Click here

50 Shades of Blue, Click here

For latest updates follow / subscribe:

@SclerodermaRF

@RaynaudsRf

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Raynauds Scleroderma Awareness Global Patients

#SclerodermaFreeWorld #RaynaudsFreeWorld #Research

Please DONATE to help fund medical research at The Scleroderma Unit,The Royal Free Hospital, London.

Alternatively, to make a direct donation to fund medical research via the Royal Free Charity, Scleroderma Unit, Click here