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Scleroderma/Systemic Sclerosis

Autoimmune Diseases | Last Active: Oct 12 10:36am | Replies (19)

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@slkanowitz

Kim i am glad you are considering the Mayo Clinic for evaluation and treatment. I am also very surprised and concerned that you are on Methotrexate, as that drug can cause ILD and pulmonary fibrosis as side effects. I would suggest discussing this with your current rheumatologist and consider discontinuing this drug. Perhaps an adjustment in your Cellcept or prednisone dose could be beneficial for additional immunosuppression.
It sounds like you need aggressive treatment as you are experiencing serious effects with rapid progression. I would start the Mayo referral process asap and even travel to the clinic who can get you in first. I don’t know if Mayo has a “fast track” for priority cases but one of the experts here may be able to help with that. I wish you both the best and I am glad you have a Mayo appointment set up Robin. The Mayo Clinic gets so much done with multiple specialists in a week that could take several months to achieve on a regular outpatient basis. You will see dermatology, GI, pulmonary and rheumatology usually within a week and the specialists all consult with each other as a team, which doesn’t happen on an outpatient basis in standard healthcare. Good luck and better health going forward!

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Replies to "Kim i am glad you are considering the Mayo Clinic for evaluation and treatment. I am..."

Thankyou so much for your reply and concern. I was actually told at the time of my diagnosis that I already have scarring and fluid in my lungs. That was back in June of last year. The rheumatologist I was seeing wasn’t very knowledgeable and me ver even ordered a ct scan or echocardiogram. I was there for 9 months. In March of this year I moved to a very small town and asked my new pcp for a referral to a new rheumatologist. I waited and asked repeatedly for several months. This is a very small drs office with one lady working up front and one nurse. When I asked the nurse once again she pulled my chart and said the referral had been done 2 months prior. The lady up front claimed she did it but obviously didn’t. They finally did the referral to a rheumatologist that didnt have experience with systemic sclerosis but still I was relieved to be getting any kind of help. An appt was scheduled in 2 and a half months. One week before my appt they called to tell me my appt was canceled because the dr was no longer with them. So then my pcp said he would refer me to Mayo. It’s been 2 weeks and no word. Once again I’m waiting on the referral. I just don’t know what to do. I desperately need help. My lungs have worsened along with severe gi problems and muscle and tissue loss I have infection in my toes and have lost the fat pads and tissue in the bottom of my feet. I’ve been on these meds for so long with no monitoring. Can you please tell me who I can reach out to at Mayo that could help me. Im so grateful that you responded. Praying I can finally get to someone who can help