MCTD Support Group

Mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD) or Sharp's syndrome is a human autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks the body. MCTD combines features of polymyositis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and systemic scleroderma and is thus considered an overlap syndrome. MCTD commonly causes joint pain/swelling, Raynaud phenomenon, muscle inflammation, and scarring of...

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Pain

jlh2375
jlh2375
I can't tell if I have pain from just a severe muscle spasm or if it's from one of my diseases. MCTD or Fibromyalgia. I had slight pain on the left side of my body for about one month. My neck, upper back, arm, hands, etc...This past Sunday I ended up in the er and they gave me pain meds. I also got muscle relaxers and anti-inflammatory drugs. They have all made me sick to my stomach so I am going to stop taking them as of today. I have a heating pad that I have been on for the past 3 days. I have also missed work every day this week. I am stressed to the max and can't figure out what is wrong. My doctor told me my muscle should be curved but instead it's straight up and down. Has this happened to anyone else?
Catalyzt
Catalyzt
Which muscle and which part of your body is most affected?

I torqued my neck once and that put me flat on my back for over a week, I thought I would never be the same again, full recovery-- but that was a bit more localized. Is the pain starting to localize at all, or is it getting broader?

--Cat
jlh2375
jlh2375
It feels better as in I can move my neck without wanting to cry. It's still in my arm, neck and back though. I have a massive headache but I am getting my appetite back. It's because I am stopping taking all the medicine. It helped my pain but made me sick.
deleted_user
deleted_user
Jlh, have you had your neck MRI'd for bulging or ruptured discs? i have cervical DDD and what you describe sounds alot like disc problems. Nothing to mess around with. I had a disc fusion done in 06 and now have another rupture and 2 more bulging. Get headaches all the time.
donna
jlh2375
jlh2375
No I haven't had that. But I still don't feel better. I am going to my Rheumy on 2/9. My wrists, fingers and feet have been hurting too. I just unloaded my dishwasher and it hurt. I am tired of being sick. It feels like it's in my muscles.
deleted_user
deleted_user
When my discs act up it causes a huge painful muscular lump at the base of neck. Hurts across the shoulder blade and all the way down the left arm. The last time i went in for shots at the hospital in my neck, the doc said i had the worse muscle curvature he had ever seen and was surprised i could hold my head up at all. I told him I couldn't and that was why I was there.Do you have a Neuro? If not, it's not a bad idea to see one and atleast get your neck checked. if i've learned anything from support groups, it is that disc problems seem to be pretty common with AI issues. Good luck and don't ignore it. i made that mistake years ago and ended in surgery.
jlh2375
jlh2375
Thank you. Should I ask my general doctor to refer me or my rheumy? The pain is still there today. Just not as bad as the other day.
deleted_user
deleted_user
Actually, your GP can order the test so you don't have to pay for the neuro early. If anyhting with the neck is found then get referrals to a good neuro and great Ortho. I hope for you it is just Fibro or something acting up. I blew mine off thinking I was just getting old and not enough exercise and then woke one morning to pain so bad I couldn't breathe or use my arm and hand at all. It had ruptured. If it's caught early enough some good PT can fix it instead of major surgery.
jlh2375
jlh2375
I just started taking B-12 and some new multi vitamins yesterday and I am feeling a bit better. I am not sure if it's actually helping or if I am just due to start feeling better. Has anyone had any luck with B-12?