A pharmacist I work with was telling about someone diagnosed with Crest Syndrome. I had never heard of it so I looked it up, interestingly it has so much in common with the autoimmune disorders, I thought I would post it. Most of you who struggle with a dx may want to check this out.
The symptoms involved in CREST syndrome are associated with the generalized form of the disease systemic sclerosis (scleroderma). CREST is an acronym for the symptoms that are seen in a patient with this disease.
- "C" stands for calcinosis, where calcium deposits form under the skin on the fingers or other areas of the body.
- "R" stands for Raynaud's phenomenon, spasm of blood vessels in the fingers or toes in response to cold or stress.
- "E" represents esophageal dysmotility, which can cause difficulty in swallowing.
- "S" is for sclerodactyly, tightening of the skin over the fingers which may cause the fingers to bend.
- "T" is for telangiectasia, dilated blood vessels that look like spiders on the skin of the fingers, face, or inside of the mouth
- still looking for more info, but thought this might interest some of y'all.