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...
Today I went to see the Family Dr and the Rheumatologist. The family Dr took 3 tubes of blood to check my blood count, a metabolic profile, TSH, and A1C. My BP was 140/98, so he was concerned and talked about upping my meds. After some errands and a meal, I went to the rheumy who was concerned that my BP was too low. It was 103/70. You see, my meds had finally kicked it! Anyway, he took my hair loss as a sign I might be out of remission. Hmmm. He also x rayed my hand I had been concerned about. My wrist has been frozen (probably arthritis) as well as my thumb joint. I am also having problems with my other wrist and thumb. I was limping from the arthritis in my foot, but another Dr x rayed my feet and said arthritis. He checked my knees, and the noise when I move was startling to him, even though he has heard it before. I told him that they had been x rayed and showed arthritis as well. Then he asked about my back, yeah, x rays showed arthritis too. And my shoulders, no recent x rays but they feel like arthritis too. But they are not frozen anymore since I had the cortosone shots and therapy. He also took 3 tubes of blood for ANA and the autoimmune profile as well as the inflammatory markers. I guess we will see if there is anything they think is worth treating. Meanwhile, arthritis hurts!
Mary Ann
I did play that big show back east -- 300 people! I found my thumbs actually got a little better with more practicing, but that was scary-- the material was vey hard, I'm the only guitar player in that band, and any mistakes I made would have been really noticeable. I had the action on my guitar lowered, changed my flatpicks, practiced 45 minutes a night for six weeks, and just barely pulled it off.
I have increased the CBD oil in the morning-- the pure oil itself, I squeeze a big, fat line of it onto a peanut and eat it, the formulation with almost no THC-- and I have found it definitely helps. If I take it at 5:00 AM or before, I really don't have any freezing-- and yes, it was my shoulder that froze, too.
Right now, I'm think 15mg is a little low for muscle stiffness. I think about 20mg is about right.
For headache, it's not as good. 10mg CBD and 10mg THC *might* work in some marginal situations, but really, narcotics are what should be used for those who don't have problems with them, they are more effective.
I hope you are feeling better. What was it about the BP that worried them, probably the diastolic, the 98, right? 140 is really no that bad, I think.
Sorry about the damn hair.
Hang in there! Sorry I've been gone for a while, will try to check back more frequently, very glad you posted.