Diagnosed w/ systemic scleroderma. have shiny tight skin, joint pain, shortness of breath, gerd, muscle weakness, numbness & tingling in my hands & feet for one month. numbness goes up to elbow sometimes. does this mean there's nerve damage?

Nearly 30% of scleroderma patients have nerve damage outside of the brain and spinal cord — called peripheral neuropathy. Microvascular lesions are the likely underlying cause. For info: https://www.rheumatology.org/I-Am-A/Patient-Caregiver/Diseases-Conditions/Scleroderma

That is what it suggests to me. Or at least inflammation of blood vessels going to nerves. Would need to do a good history and physical an look at you and your blood tests to be able to help. Nerve conduction study might help depending on what I found. Discuss with your Drs.