Question
I was diagnosed with CREST 10+ years ago, at about age 23, when calcium was pushing through my elbows and  needing surgical removal. Since then, I have had surgery on almost every finger once or twice to remove calcium. For the most part, I've considered my condition mainly just a nuissance and have felt grateful that it has not involved more sympstoms other than these and somewhat debilitating (at times) rhenouds (SP?).
However, about a year ago, I had something on the ball of my foot pushing through that was acting the same way as the calcium in my fingers. I showed my rheumatologist, but he brushed it off saying it wouldn't be calcium. I continued to show it to about 5 or 6 other doctors over the past year, each of which saying different things (not calcium). Finally, this July, it got so painful and swollen to the point that I could not walk, so I went to a foot doctor who took Xrays and did an MRI and it did show calcium. By the time I went in for surgery (a couple weeks ago), the surgeon said my foot was "FULL" of calcium. Now, I'm just praying it will heal. I know feet have trouble healing in general, and my healing abilities are poor. Also, I'm so afraid it will come back, and I feel none of the doctors I ever talk to about this ever take my condition seriously, and never have any answers for me.
Have you heard of calcium getting into the feet in the same way it does the hands and forearms? Is this something that requires special attention? Are there doctors who specialize in Crest Syndrome who could help me? This is my third rheumatologist, b/c each one I go to seems so uninterested and I just worry I'm not getting the information or attention I need. I'm especially worried b/c I have another new symptom that's getting worse and worse, which my rheumatologist doesn't seem to have answers for or want to investigate... waking up in the middle of the night not being able to feel my hands. This started a couple of years ago, but it's getting worse and worse, and no one seems concerned about it.
I'm also hoping I'm pregnant, is there anything I should be aware of or concerned about as far as pregnancy and circulation or crest syndrome in general?
Sorry -- as you can see I have a lot of questions, and am feeling very little support. Any information you can provide would be most appreciated!
Thank you,
Juliet  

Answer
Dear Juliet,   First of all STOP dealing with Rheumatologist since they really do not want to deal with people who have autoimmune diseases anyway....  They want the easy rheumatoid arthritis patients that they can just stuff with pills....

I strongly suggest that you look for an AUTOIMMUNE DISEASE specialist in your area....  You may have to look for an IMMUNE Disease specialist if no listing for autoimmune....  This specialist KNOWS all about the 60 different type of autoimmune diseases and will be willing to look at you as an individual case and take the necessary steps to PROPERLY diagnose and treat you.....

Secondly, you need to get educated yourself about your diseases and possible other problems you may be having...  I have found just a couple of web sites that may help you, but remember, you need an AUTOIMMUNE DISEASE SPECIALIST and even though Rheumatologist are SUPPOSE to be autoimmune specialists they do not really want that job and often react in the same manner as the RA's you have seen or are seeing...
They want the quick bucks and an autoimmune disease patient requires a lot of attention and won't get them the big bucks.

www.emedicine.com/derm/topic88.htm

www.sclero.org/medical/symptoms/skin/calcinosis.html

www.wrongdiagnosis.com/c/calcinosis/intro.htm

I hope this helps....   thank you,   karen