[YEA]  03/28/2013: Patty from Hanover, Pa.: "While trying to find answers for an elderly woman I met at the health food store today, I came across this site. I am sorry that so many people are suffering.

For years I suffered from scleroderma. My hands cracked and bled everywhere. My husband did most of the shopping because my hands were so painful and the cashiers wouldn't take my money. They looked at me as if I were dirty.

Two winters ago I even asked our daughter, who is a surgeon in the Boston area, to just cut my hands off.

This past fall I came across, quite by accident, a book, Digestive Wellness by Lipski. I bought it online, figuring it would be helpful for my husband.

Well, I cannot begin to tell you how thankful I am for this book. Within two days we noticed significant improvement in my hands, which are now, four months later, completely healed!!!!

My point here is, who would have thought that the digestive system, and inflamation in the body could play a role in my hands.

Maybe, it's the same sort of thing with this disease, as many others.

I don't normally post anything, but just couldn't stand to see that so many are suffering. I truly hope the best for all. Check out the book if you can. My best to all!!"

05/08/2011: Mark from Loveland, Co, Usa: "I have been diagnosed with Morphea. The earth clinic page for CREST calls it a localised sleroderma. CREST is actually a localised systemic sleroderma which is quite different from morphea. Morphea is a medical term for localized scleroderma. The disease involves isolated patches of hardened skin from excessive collagen deposition, there generally is no internal organ involvement which is very different from CREST.

I searched earthclinic.com and did not find any hits on Morphea. Does anyone have any suggestions?"

05/08/2011: Fra-fra from Mineral Wells, Texas replies: "I have read that DMSO is good for scleroderma, you might try it and see if it helps."

05/10/2011: Dan from Whites Creek, West Virginia, Usa replies: "Try this:

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Http://www.inspire.com/groups/scleroderma-foundation/discussion/gluten-and-morphea/

Gluten and Morphea
Julie_NorthernCA

* By Julie_NorthernCA
* December 9, 2010 at 12:24 am · 19 replies

Hi, I am new to the forum and want to share something I have "discovered" I was diagnosed about 7 years ago with Morphea.. A few plaques on my tummy and back. Recently they have spread to hips, ankle, underarms and inner thighs so my condition went from limited to generalized. The past two weeks I have been on a gluten free diet. Almost like an elimination diet one uses to diagnose food allergies. I have noticed that not only has my GERD become less troublesome but my lesions are not painful and seem to be diminishing. I have not used any perscription creams for the past ten days and still everything on my skin not only looks but feels better. I have also suffered from deep aching in my hips, particularly at night. Yes, I too have been told the pain has nothing to do with morphea!!! I just feel so much better. Gluten and Celiac disease may predispose some of us to Scleroderma. I know this diet is very alkaline as well as gluten free. I am going to continue eliminating gluten as I am convinced, at least for myself, that it has contributed to my illness. Anyone else have similar experience going gluten free?

Mylivs

* By mylivs

* December 9, 2010 at 6:28 am

Hi there! My 4 year old has morphea on her face and some parry rombergs symptoms. She is on metho and folic acid. I started her on gluten free a few months ago and the facial discoloration and hardness is barely visible! I'm sure it may have something to do with the metho as well but I have seen people on metho and their morphea didn't heal as fast! I researched gluten on my own and the reason I started her on it was because its supposed to boost the immune system and since the metho depletes the immune system I thought I would try to counteract it! Its a natural anti inflammatory as well! I have to say I agree with u 100%! My daughters doctors were blown away by how far she has come in the past few months! I'm glad its helping you too! LaurenAnne

* By LaurenAnne

* December 9, 2010 at 8:45 am

Thank you so much for sharing! There are definitely others who have eliminated gluten, other adults and moms, and swear by it! You've convinced me and will try it for my son! ------------------------------------------------------"