Morphea

Posted by Mom of three @momofthree1, Apr 1, 2018

I was diagnosed with morphea on Friday and the dermatologist office had no literature to share with me. I can't be the only person to have this and the internet scared me to no end. Please anyone share with me if you or anyone you know have this. Thank you, Mom of three

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Autoimmune Diseases Support Group.

John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Apr 1, 2018

Hello @momofthree1 -- Mayo Clinic has some information on morphea that might be helpful.

Morphea - Symptoms & Causes, Diagnosis & Treatment:
-- https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/morphea/symptoms-causes/syc-20375283

Mayo Clinic Q and A: Treatment often can keep morphea symptoms in check:
-- https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mayo-clinic-q-and-a-treatment-often-can-keep-morphea-symptoms-in-check/

I'm also tagging two other Connect members who have created discussion related to Morphea that went unanswered in 2013 & 2015. @nettie1862 and @paty1979 I would like to bring you into this discussion to see if you have learned any new information or have any suggestions that you can share with @momofthree1

I also found more information on the NIH Genetics and Rare Diseases Information Center:
-- https://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/diseases/10485/morphea

John

CalcinosisBaby | @kgoodwin9 | Apr 1, 2018

I know from many second opinions on vaarious diagnosis that you may want to research and then get second opinion. After everything I went through the only time I started getting better is when the hospital staff nurses identified infections. Things left unattended can really get away from you and start affectingh many areas and bloodwork.

Mom of three | @momofthree1 | Apr 2, 2018

Thank you, I am planning on getting a second opinion. I have been trying to get answers for over seven years. This is the third outbreak and the worse I have had. It seems to me that they happen when I am under a large amount of stress.

Mom of three | @momofthree1 | Apr 2, 2018

In reply to @johnbishop "Hello @momofthree1 -- Mayo Clinic has some information on morphea that might be helpful. Morphea -..." + (show)

Thank you for the information you shared with me and the time you spent to do so. I appreciate you effect to help educate me very much.

John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Apr 2, 2018

In reply to @johnbishop "Hello @momofthree1 -- Mayo Clinic has some information on morphea that might be helpful. Morphea -..." + (show)

You're welcome. I'm glad it helped a little. When you mentioned stress seemed to make it worse I did another quick search and found this site that may be helpful relating to stress.

-- https://sclero.org/scleroderma/causes/stress/a-to-z.html

John

KateG | @gingerbear22 | Jan 30, 2022

In reply to @johnbishop "Hello @momofthree1 -- Mayo Clinic has some information on morphea that might be helpful. Morphea -..." + (show)

This is 2022. Any current info? I find this site difficult to navigate.

John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Jan 30, 2022

In reply to @gingerbear22 "This is 2022. Any current info? I find this site difficult to navigate." + (show)

Hi @gingerbear22, There has not been much activity in this discussion and the members who have posted about morphea have not been active since April 2020 when they last posted. I'm not sure if they are still following this discussion.

I noticed in your previous post in another discussion you posted that you had another biopsy and the result was lichen schlerosus, but you think it looks like photos you’ve seen of morphea. I did find some information that may offer an explanation of why the two may be confused.

"Morphea is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by sclerosis of the skin. The term localized scleroderma is also used in some texts. This causes confusion with systemic sclerosis (scleroderma), often resulting in unnecessary evaluation and anxiety. It is the opinion of the authors that the term localized scleroderma should be avoided. Morphea itself has a spectrum of manifestations ranging from skin only to multiple organ involvement. Of note, organ involvement in morphea is distinctly different from systemic sclerosis" --- Morphea and Lichen Sclerosus | Fitzpatrick's Dermatology, 9e: https://accessmedicine.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?bookid=2570&sectionid=210426650

Sorry you find Connect difficult to navigate. If you are having trouble, maybe we can help. Do you mind sharing what task you find hard to do on Connect?

KateG | @gingerbear22 | Feb 1, 2022

For example — just finding that you replied to me is one of my frustrations.

Thank you for your clarification of morphea. I do have a rheumatology appointment tomorrow morning to discuss systemic treatment with immunosuppressive therapy. I am adding a photo I took today. I enhanced the contrast to show what I refer to has the tightening of the skin and scaliness.

KateG | @gingerbear22 | Feb 1, 2022

In reply to @johnbishop "Hi @gingerbear22, There has not been much activity in this discussion and the members who have..." + (show)

I was able to get the entire .pdf you mentioned above! Would be worth sharing on the thread that is exclusively asking about Lichen sclerosus! Thank you.
Morphea and Lichen Sclerosus | Fitzpatrick's Dermatology, 9e: https://accessmedicine.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?bookid=2570&sectionid=210426650

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Feb 1, 2022

In reply to @gingerbear22 "For example — just finding that you replied to me is one of my frustrations. Thank..." + (show)

Hi Kate,
Allow me to jump in for a minute to address the challenges with navigating the site. This page offers tips on how to find your way around.
Get started: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/get-started-on-connect/
If you have further questions, feel free to send me a message using this form: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/contact-a-community-moderator/
I can help.