Having been a patient of Scleroderma for the last 15 years, I have always dealt with one dilemma, that has never gone away!
The Dilemma of what to call the disease!!
Yes, you read that right.
I have a tough time every single time someone asks me, what is it that I am suffering from.
While explaining the disease may sound daunting, for me, the awkwardness starts with the name of the disease itself!
Well, what I am going through is referred to as *Scleroderma or Systemic Sclerosis* in medical terms.
When I call it *Scleroderma*, since it has Derma associated with it, people just dismiss it saying “Oh, you just have a skin condition” or “They associate skin conditions to always being communicable or contagious”.
So, I jump to my second option, which is *Systemic Sclerosis*, and when I do that, people confuse it with Multiple Sclerosis, and start referring me to Neurologists, and wonder why do I go to a Rheumatologist or a Pulmonologist!
Till date, I haven’t figured out what to call the disease so that I am not asked any more questions about it and we can all Live in Peace!
Do let me know if you have been in the same boat too!
Cheers to raising awareness about Scleroderma/Systemic Sclerosis
~Anonymously Yours 😄