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THIf you are living with scleroderma, these questions are very common. Let us walk through them together.
1️⃣Will I pass this on to my children?
It is extremely unlikely. Even identical twins who share the same DNA only have about a 5 percent chance that both will develop scleroderma if one twin has it. That tells us genetics alone do not explain this disease. There are many other environmental and immune factors involved.
2️⃣If my antibody test is negative, does that mean I do not have scleroderma?
No. You can still have scleroderma without a disease specific autoantibody. There are more antibodies identified today than in the past, and sometimes only one or two are checked. Diagnosis is based on the full clinical picture, not one lab result.
3️⃣Can stress trigger flares?
Based on my clinical experience, yes. Overwhelming stress can worsen symptoms, including skin changes, lung symptoms, and gastrointestinal flares. This is why supporting the mind body connection is not optional. It is part of caring for your immune system.
What other questions do you have for me about living with scleroderma?
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@the_holistic_rheumatologist
