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...
Hello,
I was diagnosed with myositis in 2012. Went to U of M. rheum. who gave thorough exam and said I am pretty sure you have dermatomyositis. 14 tubes of blood later and muscle biopsy confirmed this.
Lost 36 lbs. of muscle, trouble swallowing, weak, severe fatigue, horrible Raynauds. Pred, methotexate, then Imuran got me back on track. I have good days, bad days. Now have Hashimotos, take med. for this.
I saw a neurologist not long ago for migraines, he seemed to feel that mctd made more sense.
Guess I should add the the U of M dr, said he thought that I had had the myositis for at least 10 yrs. From my perspective, at least 10 years, as my brain fog is bad. I quit my job 4 yrs. ago as my critical thinking skills were gone.
I was wondering if anyone has had or maintains a diagnosis of mctd while being ana neg., rnp neg.
Thank you for your time.
Nancy
I was diagnosed with myositis in 2012. Went to U of M. rheum. who gave thorough exam and said I am pretty sure you have dermatomyositis. 14 tubes of blood later and muscle biopsy confirmed this.
Lost 36 lbs. of muscle, trouble swallowing, weak, severe fatigue, horrible Raynauds. Pred, methotexate, then Imuran got me back on track. I have good days, bad days. Now have Hashimotos, take med. for this.
I saw a neurologist not long ago for migraines, he seemed to feel that mctd made more sense.
Guess I should add the the U of M dr, said he thought that I had had the myositis for at least 10 yrs. From my perspective, at least 10 years, as my brain fog is bad. I quit my job 4 yrs. ago as my critical thinking skills were gone.
I was wondering if anyone has had or maintains a diagnosis of mctd while being ana neg., rnp neg.
Thank you for your time.
Nancy
Mary Ann
My sister with autoimmune disease, living in a different state than I has positive bloodwork all the time.
We are all different. Like you said, if the treatment is the same, it does not really matter what the diagnosis. I have a medical background which is why I want the results and I want them now. Not to be. Need to just chill.
Dr. says I am still"evolving" with this connective tissue diagnosis. I do know a high esr or sed rate is a marker for inflammation. And I think SSA is for sjogrens.