Morphea with Neurological Manifastations????????

In Feb. of 2000 I got burned from a tanning bed so bad that it looked as if I had been caned.  The skin on the back of my left upper thigh never got better and it looked like a bruise that never really went away.  I didn

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

Assuming the diagnosis of morphea is correct, the tanning incident may have drawn your attention to it, but was not the cause.

Morphea is referred to as localized scleroderma, which is most unfortunate, because the localized form has nothing to do with the systemic form.  Repeat: the diseases have nothing to do with each other.  Each has skin thickening (hence the name), but the systemic form is widespread and potentially fatal, while the localized one is of cosmetic significance (you're lucky it's on your leg and not your face), but otherwise utterly lacks the dreadful consequences of the systemic form.  In fact, it usually "burns itself out"--i.e. becomes inactive, just as the first dermatologist said.  I think you may have been too quick to judge him inadequate.  What you saw on Lifetime was almost certainly not what you have.

As to your current expert who "has claimed to see some of them turn systemic," I am skeptical.  But suppose he has--the real question is whether you are one of those cases or whether your symptoms are those of terrified anxiety brought on by worry that you have the systemic variety.  Were I a betting man, I would wager a lot that worry, not systemic scleroderma, is what you have.

My advice: a third opinion.  Find an expert you trust (an academic at a teaching hospital would be suitable.)  Try www.aad.org and look at their Find a Dermatologist, if you need a referral.  

I urge you to clarify this to your own satisfaction as soon as you can.  You are very likely putting yourself through entirely unnecessary mental torture over a condition which is annoying but ultimately trivial.  Find out for sure.

Best.

Dr. Rockoff

[Amber001]

Thank you Dr. Rockoff, I certainly hope that is the case.

[sarahusesthis]

A related discussion, Morphea was started.