I am fifty-eight years old, and I was diagnosed with this illness about six years ago, but probably had it before.

Up until now I have had polymyositis that got better with a bit of cortisone, esophagitis kept at bay with medicine and some heart problems. A while ago my hands started to swell, and my middle finger is a bit bent. The rheumatologist that treats me says it is due to the illness, but my orthopedist says it is a problem that should be operated. Whom should I believe?

I have been through surgery on one finger where I had endrocoma, amartoma in a lung, angioplastia, carpal tunnel. These days I take Ticlopidina 250mg twice daily, Azatioprina 50mg daily, Sotalolo 40mg three everyday, omeprazen 20mg in the morning, folina 5mg, Inegy 10/20mg in the evening.

But what hurts me the most is that my children believe this is an imaginary illness. Perhaps they don't want to realize the truth?

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