Treatments
Common Medications, Treatment, and Management
The list includes pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions, such as lifestyle modifications and physical therapy. It is important to note that this list is not exhaustive and that the appropriateness of any intervention should be determined on a case-by-case basis by a qualified healthcare professional.
We hope this list will serve as a valuable resource for those seeking a better understanding of the various treatment options available.
Please look at the complete resource of medications on the National Scleroderma Foundation website. Click the button below to go to the webpage.
Common Medications Treatment and Management
Medication for skin involvement
Immunosuppressants are commonly prescribed medications for treating skin involvement in scleroderma. A few that are common are:
Mycophenolate
Cyclophosphamide
Methotrexate
Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG)
Medication for gastrointestinal symptoms
If you are experiencing gastrointestinal symptoms such as heartburn or acid reflux, please consult your physician to see a specialist. Here are a few medications commonly prescribed for gastrointestinal symptoms of scleroderma:
Nintedanib
Tocilizumab
Medications for Raynaud's Phenomenon
Blood pressure medication is commonly used to treat Raynaud's as it helps to open up constricted blood vessels, restoring circulation.
Phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors for Raynaud's Phenomenon
For more severe cases of Raynauds and if experiencing ulcerations on the fingers. This medication is used to assist with restoring blood flow.
Medication for pain
Pain is something one can experience when living with scleroderma. Ask your physician about options to assist with managing the pain.
Stem cell transplant
Discover how a stem cell transplant placed Glen Copeland's scleroderma in remission through his inspiring story. Watch the video below.
Alternatives to Pain Medication
The relaxation response
Learning to stop or calm the fight or flight response is one of the most effective tools for managing pain, fatigue, and other symptoms. If you can calm yourself through relaxation strategies, you can also calm your nervous system, reduce your stress, and give yourself a chance to find different ways to cope with your pain, fatigue, and other symptoms.
Relaxation is a very useful tool for you in managing several common scleroderma symptoms, including pain, fatigue, sleep, stress, and depressed mood. Relaxation is helpful for pain because it:
Helps decrease the muscle tension that occurs when feeling pain. Tense muscles make the pain worse. Your body naturally protects itself by tensing muscles around an area that hurts or needs protection. When your muscles are tight for too long, your pain may increase.
Counteracts the adverse effects of stress on pain by reducing the "fight-or-flight" response.
Benefits the brain areas involved in sensing and reducing pain.
Positive thinking
How you think and feel about things is important to managing your pain. Positive thinking leads to actions that help people have a better sense of well-being over time. There is evidence that positive thinking can block pain signals in the brain to reduce the pain response.
We highly recommend "The Chronic Pain Reset" book as an effective tool to evaluate pain triggers and improve them with fun and practical strategies.
Using the principles of cognitive-behavioral therapy, this book will lead you through one new evidence-based strategy each day for 30 days, from paced breathing and healthy sleep hacks to mindful walking and acts of kindness.
Please refer to the Management Plan page to learn more about the advantages of physical therapy (PT) and occupational therapy (OT).
Physical and Occupational Therapy
Physical therapy alleviates pain by addressing its root causes and promoting the body's natural healing processes. Through targeted exercises, stretches, and manual techniques, physical therapists work to improve flexibility, strength, and joint mobility, reducing strain on affected areas. They also educate patients on proper posture and body mechanics, empowering them to prevent further injury.
The personalized nature of physical therapy and occupational therapy allows for tailored interventions, promoting long-term pain relief and enhancing overall physical well-being. Additionally, therapeutic modalities such as heat, ice, and electrical stimulation may be employed to manage pain and inflammation.
Occupational therapy is a rehabilitation specialty that can teach you how to manage symptoms so you are able to continue to live your best life. For example, occupational therapists can make recommendations for modifying tasks, provide assistive technology, teach energy conversation techniques and help you manage pain, show you how to improve and maintain strength and mobility, and share strategies for how to protect your skin during daily activities like washing dishes. Certified hand therapists also can help with hand and arm function specifically.
Additionally, therapeutic modalities such as heat, ice, and electrical stimulation may be employed to manage pain and inflammation.
Remember, this is not an exhaustive list; available and recommended medications are subject to change.