Joined: 21 Apr 2007 Posts: 41 Location: Sheffield, UK
Supporter Introduction Posted: 04-24-07 14:27pm
Welcome to the Immune Disorders forum!
There are many different kinds of immune
disorders that cause many differing
symptoms. I personally have CREST
Scleroderma which means my immune system
is attacking my blood vessels this can
manifest itself in numerous ways. Each
letter of CREST stands for a symptom C
Calsinosis, R Raynauds, E Esophageal, S
Sclerodactyl, T Telengiastia. I have to
undergo invasive tests every year to check
if the condition is attacking any other
parts of my body, basically anywhere you
have blood vessels.
It took about 5 years to get a diagnosis
& was often made to believe it was all
in my head until I had a positive ANA
test.
Basically when someone has an immune
disorder it is the bodies own immune
system that is attacking it's good cells,
when they should just be fighting bad
cells like infections. Depending on the
disorder you have depends on which good
cells are being attacked.
There can be a genetic link with immune
disorders. It is also believed that if a
family member has a immune disorder there
is usually others in the family with a
different kind of immune disorder. There
are some immune disorders that are caused
by environmental factors.
The individual conditions & symptoms
would be too many to list but here are a
few:
Scleroderma
Thyroidism
Rhematoid Athritis
Diabetis
Perniceous Anemia
Lupus
Multiple Sclerosis
I stumbled upon this site when looking for
answers to other problems I have &
felt the need to help others as I was
being helped on the other health forums,
so please feel free to post any worries
& I will do my best to help or
research the advice you need.
