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...
If you have filed for disability, either through the government or an employer, how did it go? I am going on short-term disability which I have been on before, and then probably long-term. I have both short and long-term disability insurance through my employer. Getting private short-term was a breeze, but I have heard nightmares about government disability. I haven't heard of any experiences with private long-term disability, good or bad. I have MCTD and fibromyalgia among several other diagnoses.
That said, I have applied for SSDI and a non-service connected VA pension. The SSDI is still pending after years. Get a lawyer. My friends that have been successful have used Binder and Binder. They are nationwide as far as I can tell and they will take the case for your first application. I used Shook and Stone and they only took the case on appeal. I feel at this point I may have avoided some mistakes if I had had some help with the initial application.
Aside from the finger pain you are dealing with, your symptoms sound terribly familiar.
Good luck. You should apply for both private and SSDI if they are both available to you.