Scleroderma: My Body’s Drama Queen

Okay, here’s the deal. Scleroderma is a rare autoimmune condition—like, 1 in 100,000 rare—so if you have it, congrats: you’re basically a unicorn. 🦄 (this has to be because I’ve loved unicorns so much throughout my life, i’ve finally become one) But unlike unicorns, your skin and sometimes your organs decide to throw a surprise party that nobody RSVP’d to. Shiny, tight, stubborn, dramatic… it’s like your body is auditioning for a sci-fi movie without consulting you first.

How Do You Get It?
The short answer: nobody knows. Genetics? Immune system chaos? Cosmic mischief? Pick your villain. One thing’s for sure: it’s not contagious, so your dog, partner, and neighbors are safe.

How It Feels
Some days, it’s like mild annoyance—tight fingers, stiff joints, fatigue that makes coffee feel like a miracle. Other days, it’s full-on “why is my body doing this?”: swelling, pain, and exhaustion that makes getting out of bed feel like climbing Everest in flip-flops.

The Prednisone Party
Medications like prednisone? They’re wild. Life-of-the-party energy, suddenly unstoppable… until the party ends. Then comes the hangover: fatigue, mood swings, MOON FACE and the consequences of life choices you didn’t even make. Big pharma? Yeah, thanks but no thanks. I learned my lesson!

How I Handle It (The Mad House Way)
I take the holistic approach—nutrition, movement, self-care, and a hefty dose of humor. Moisturizers, massage, gentle exercise, and stress management (though In this mad house it’s not easy to come by) are my weapons of choice. Basically, I’m saying “no” to letting my body or big pharma run the show, while still running my itty, bitty chaotic empire of bath & body goodies.

Bottom Line
Scleroderma is rare, unpredictable, and stubborn—but you know what else is? Resilience, creativity, and laughter. Life may be dramatic, but that doesn’t mean you can’t make it fun, messy, and ridiculously fabulous.