Raynauds Scleroderma Global Patients: Haslina Wannor, Singapore, June Scleroderma Awareness Month 2017. Patient Profiles DAY 3. Raynaud's, Autoimmune Rare Disease

Haslina Wannor, Singapore

June Scleroderma Awareness Month 2017

Patient Profiles DAY 3

Raynaud's, Autoimmune Rare Disease

Haslina Wannor, Singapore

Name: Haslina Wannor

Location: Singapore

Diagnosis: Systemic Sclerosis with Interstitial Lung Disease

Year of diagnosis: 2009

Age at diagnosis: 29

Where / who diagnosed you?:

Singapore General Hospital, Dr Siew Li Cheing of the Autoimmune and Rheumatology Department (ARC)

What were your presenting symptoms?:

Severe weight loss, heartburn and tight skin.

How long did it take for you to be diagnosed after first symptoms?

I was attending a follow up check up with a Gynaecologist and she noticed the difference of skin colour and other symptoms on me. She then referred me to the ARC department.

I had several blood tests, a swallow barium test, CT scan, ECHO, Lung Function Tests. About two weeks later, the ARC confirmed the diagnosis.

Current reality:

I am now taken care of by Dr. Andrea Low (Head of ARC Department) and Dr Tan Ju Le of the National Heart Centre of Singapore, for my pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Please describe your current symptom involvement and management, including any treatments taking and taken.

I have taken oral chemotherapy, Cellcept, before I had my autologous transplant. It was quite a success. I breathe so much better. Since then, I have developed pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Currently, I have reduced the Cellcept as my breathing started to be affected.

I take Tildalafil, Macetentan, Esomeprazole, and Domperidon.

What are your 3 biggest current challenges due to your diagnosis?

Body aching / Numbness in leg

Breathlessness

Dry cough

What are your 3 top tips for living with your diagnosis?

Wear socks / gloves in cold weather

Use gloves when washing dishes

Do stretches and slow exercise when able to

What are your 3 wishes for the future?

My wishes would be for more people to be aware of this disease and come forward to help in emotional support

I also hope that a cure is found

I wish to be able to see my daughter walking down the aisle

- BIG Thanks to Haslina for sharing her scleroderma and Raynaud's experience.

To read more about why I chose ‘Patient Profiling and Research’ as the focus of my 2017 campaign, Click here

Why Research and Patient Profiles? Scleroderma Awareness Month 2017, Raynaud's, Rare Autoimmune Disease, Click here

2017 INDEX Scleroderma Awareness Campaign Patient Profiles, Click here

INDEX to Scleroderma Awareness 2016 Campaign, Click here

June 2017.

To read my articles:

Rare Disease Day 2018, Research - Taking Part in Clinical Trials, Click here

March Autoimmune Disease Awareness Month 2018, Click here

Global patient video, Click here

Becoming a Patient Research Ambassador for the NIHR, Click here

If we only had more RESEARCH investment for Scleroderma, Raynaud's, Autoimmune Rare Disease, Click here

Scleroderma Awareness Month 2017 Patient Profiles Campaign, Click here

Scleroderma Awareness Month 2017 Patient Profiles Campaign Patient Index, Click here

The Pandora’s Box of the rare autoimmune disease Scleroderma, Raynaud's and Cancer, Click here

Key Event Dates 2018, Click here

Importance of an Early Diagnosis, Click here

Taking Part in Clinical Research Trials, Click here

The Importance of a Multi Disciplinary Medical ‘Dream Team’, Click here

Expert Specialist Centres, Click here

My Skin is Cured from Scleroderma, Click here

UK Guidelines for Managing and Treating Scleroderma, Click here

Fatigue, Click here

Mobility, Click here

Diet and nutrition, Click here

Raynaud's, Click here

World Scleroderma Day 29^th June 2016, Click here

World Scleroderma Day 29^th June 2017, Click here

Why Global Collaboration is important to the Rare Disease Patient, Click here

RARE DISEASE DAY:

The theme to this years Rare Disease Day is Research

Rare Disease Day 2018 – Research, Taking Part in Clinical Trials. Scleroderma, Raynaud's, Autoimmune Rare Disease, Click here

2016 Rare Disease Day Patient Voice

2016 Rare Disease UK Parliamentary Reception

2017 Rare Disease Day Flashback

2017 Rare Disease Day unmet clinical needs to the scleroderma patient

Rare Disease Day is a fantastic opportunity for the entire rare disease community to shine a spotlight on their reality, combining as one unified voice. Where, at least one commonality presides –

Medical Research provides the brightest light

for the illumination of the rare disease patients’ plight.

I highlighted other areas of medical research interest within Week 3 of my Patient Profiles Campaign for Scleroderma Awareness Month 2017.

VIDEO

INDEX

Although rare disease patients are few in number, eg. 2.5 million scleroderma patients worldwide, (the World Scleroderma Foundation), the commonalities and golden hallmark for each rare disease patient are the same:

Early Diagnosis

Expert Specialist Centres

Access to Innovative Medicines

Where MEDICAL RESEARCH investment is VITAL.

Research is the key. Abstracts from 2016 World Congress, Click here

Scleroderma Awareness Month Campaign 2016, Click here

Links

View video, here

Preamble - here

The Family Day at the Scleroderma Unit, The Royal Free Hospital is taking place on the 19^th May 2018. Browse the program, here

This year, I am celebrating 20 years of being a patient at this world leading expert specialist research centre.

Sept 2017

I am eternally grateful to the global scleroderma trail blazers Dame Prof Black and Prof Chris Denton, whose commitment and dedication to unlocking the scleroderma enigma, is nothing other than, superhuman.

I am truly humbled and inspired by their work ethic. I am wholly appreciative for Prof Denton’s continued medical expertise and support, especially during my barrister qualifying years, 1997 - 2004.

1^st March 2004, I qualified as a self employed practising barrister. Further to having been told in 1997, by my diagnosing doctor, that I was looking at a 15month prognosis.

I very much hope to utilise my professional skills and qualifications along with my patient experience, to help achieve the #SclerodermaFreeWorld dream, hoping to improve understanding and best practice, in the meantime.

For latest updates follow: