I know exactly how you feel...relief and what do I do next? I was diagnosed after 3 years and did feel some peace of mind when I finally found out what was wrong. Take the medication prescribed and always contact your doctor if things change or something else occurs.
Good luck and God bless.

MCTD is a diagnosis of crossover symptoms very similar to SLE ........ your lab work shows that you do have some type of autoimmune disorder but not lupus? I was diagnosed with SLE.....Raynaud's....MCTD....Scleroderma....Sjogren's.....& carpal tunnel ......... the symtoms began nearly 15 years ago but I just got diagnosed 4 years ago...... a relief yes to some degree but not worth being excited about.....then I just got angry at the fact that it took them so long to figure this out......now I just deal with it the best that I can........YOU will learn how to "read" your body & always be sure to keep track of symptoms in a daily journal or daily log just incase you cannot remember when you got to an appointment........GOOD LUCK......keep in touch on here & there are many good people who are here for support.......LOTSA LUV fr: Donna

There is a MCTD support group on DS I am a member of that group too......you will find some helpful info there also......take care

forgot to tell ya where to look ....... my lupus brain is kinda foggy ...... MCTD group is under the Allergies support group

I was excited to be diagnosed. I had been sick for 5 years with no explanation. I was sad because it is incurable at this time. I was thrilled as I had a cause for my sleepiness. For years I endured everyone giving me all kinds of advise to "cure" me. I was (am) scared of the diagnosis. I think that covers all of my responses? Take good care of yourself!

I understand, I was SOOO relieved to have a diagnosis. It meant that I had a reason for being tired, weak and (my word) pathetic. I could give a propper reply and not feel guilty after 40 years of being told by "friends" to pull myself together, make an effort and try harder. Of course I became depressed. The diagnosis actually helped my depression to be less severe. I no longer had to feel guilty. I'd had both my carpel tunnels done years ago, the surgeon who did the second one was most unsympathetic. I've spent most of my adult life having to lie down at inapropriate times and being embarrassed

When I was finally diagnosed with SLE, I was very relieved to know that it was not all in my head. I went through many years of doctors handing me scripts for depression when I said I was tired and in pain. Every one of them did something bad to me. I wasn't depressed, I was in pain! When I was diagnosed I was scared and relieved at the same time, but I was determined to keep working as long as I could and to keep fighting to get the best treatment available. Now I can't work, but I have two very good doctors who at least try to figure out what is going on with me and give me morphine for the pain and Prednisone dose packs when I call and say I need one. No more trying to prove I am sick! The Cleveland Clinic doc said I have Connective tissue disease, Lupus and RA (Rhupus he called it.) The MCTD diagnosis was what won me my SSDI. Not SLE or RA! So I am so grateful that I went there! It is very hard to get SSDI for Lupus by itself. Now I guess I am off the subject so I'll quit. LOL :) Cheryl

Getting a diagnosis is half the battle. I think there is some relief in knowing and then being able to move on with medical treatment and lifestyle modifications. Personally I haven't been diagnosed with anything as of yet but my lab work is highly suspicious for autoimmune disease. I see the rheumatologist Wednesday. It's tough being in limo. I'm happy you finally have an answer. Best wishes.

Oops, I meant it's tough being in limbo, not limo. Being in a limo is actually quite nice!! LOL.

Hey Beautiful..........you call your Rupus??? Very interesting name to the mixed connective tissue & lupus & arthritis mix.......I guess that makes me a pure bred MUTT in so many ways........ LOL :)

when my doctor (nuero) called on the phone to tell me all that showed up in my blood i felt releaved and angry, iam glad he told me over the phone because i just wanted to rub that paper in his face, forgive me just venting a little lol its just that they put you through so much, to look really stupid later (themselves)

Hi Liseo,

Relieved is a word I would use for me also. Just by getting a name allows you to do a little bit of your own research as well. The not knowing part was hard for me in a way where I concentrated on everything I was doing. Did I cause this? Is there somethings that make it worse? Are there things that I should be doing to make it better? Then finally a dx name. Still we don't get all the answers, but it certainlly narrows it down. I'd take that limo ride with VanillaBean anytime over limbo. LOL Feel strange congratulating you on your diagnoses, but I am happy for you that you are finally getting some answers! Now on to the road of treatment!

Thanks everyone for your replies and support. I've been on the plaquenal for about a week and my rash is startng to fade, yeah! I know it will be a while before it really kicks in though.
Lise'