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...
Well, sort of. I've been lurking for a few months and finally sat down and created an account. Thought I'd introduce myself finally and share my own story on here :)
I was diagnosed last September with MCTD (Lupus, Scleroderma, Polymyotosis, Raynauds). Everything has been fairly straightforward, as much as these things can be of course:
I developed Raynaud's two years ago. My mother has had Primary Raynaud's all her adult life so I just figured that's what I had too. But over the past year I got steadily more achy, joint pains, horrible foot pain, etc. I couldn't spend the day doing my grocery shopping without being in horrible knee and foot pain by the end of the day. I realize now it was the UV lighting, but at the time I just thought I had bad feet lol.
In May, I went on a four mile mountain hike with no problems except some sore muscles from being out of shape. By August I could hardly walk around my home the first 3-4 hours of the day.
Throughout the summer I stayed outdoors in the sun almost all day every day, things got progressively worse. My fingers were swollen up like sausages and were always really, really red and mottled colored. By this point I knew something was seriously wrong and booked an appointment with my regular family doctor. I had been doing research online and had assumed I had Lupus so I asked for an ANA test. It came back highly positive.
My doctor referred me to my rheumy and he put me on plaquenil my very first visit and stated flat out he thought I had MCTD, but had to wait for the blood tests to confirm it. Sure enough, he was right. We're still battling my first flare up event. I started another round of prednisone yesterday.
Anyway, if you've read this far, thanks for reading my book lol. I look forward to getting to know you all. :)
~Laraly
I was diagnosed last September with MCTD (Lupus, Scleroderma, Polymyotosis, Raynauds). Everything has been fairly straightforward, as much as these things can be of course:
I developed Raynaud's two years ago. My mother has had Primary Raynaud's all her adult life so I just figured that's what I had too. But over the past year I got steadily more achy, joint pains, horrible foot pain, etc. I couldn't spend the day doing my grocery shopping without being in horrible knee and foot pain by the end of the day. I realize now it was the UV lighting, but at the time I just thought I had bad feet lol.
In May, I went on a four mile mountain hike with no problems except some sore muscles from being out of shape. By August I could hardly walk around my home the first 3-4 hours of the day.
Throughout the summer I stayed outdoors in the sun almost all day every day, things got progressively worse. My fingers were swollen up like sausages and were always really, really red and mottled colored. By this point I knew something was seriously wrong and booked an appointment with my regular family doctor. I had been doing research online and had assumed I had Lupus so I asked for an ANA test. It came back highly positive.
My doctor referred me to my rheumy and he put me on plaquenil my very first visit and stated flat out he thought I had MCTD, but had to wait for the blood tests to confirm it. Sure enough, he was right. We're still battling my first flare up event. I started another round of prednisone yesterday.
Anyway, if you've read this far, thanks for reading my book lol. I look forward to getting to know you all. :)
~Laraly
Welcome to our little group. Too bad you had to get sick to find us. Since you have been monitoring us for a while, you should know just how familiar your symptoms sound! Glad to have you officially as a member!
Mary Ann