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...
I will apologize in advance, but I am having a moment. I am 35, have three kids (2 adopted), and have a very busy career. I am trying my hardest to maintain an extremely busy lifestyle. I personally do not have time to be bogged down with illness. It seems something new is continuously popping up, and I, for one, am over it. In addition to this new diagnosis, my Hashi's has gone rogue, labs have all gone bananas, and my doctor basically bet money that I also have Cushings. I just completed the testing, and I am now waiting on the results. Speaking of which, the dexamethasone made me feel like a half million bucks for about 12 hours, but when it wore off it was rough going. That rough going has poured over to today.
Unfortunately, my poor GYN suggested I have an early mammogram at my annual today, and I about lost it. That is not like me. I can usually roll with the punches. Maybe it's stress, maybe it's cortisol, maybe it's my thyroid, or maybe I'm just fed up!
All in all, I'm just having a day. After this post, I may even have to change my name to MostlyPeachyWithMomentsofFreakingOut. The fear of the unknown can do that I guess. It's a process trying to digest one new illness, but how does one effectively cope with two?! Not to mention that my thyroid doesn't want to be outdone, so it has joined in on the anarchy as well. I could really go for "normal" right now.
I probably should be grateful that I can still function, and that I can wake up each morning to a new day. There are so many things that are good in my life, and I am scared of losing them all . So, if anyone has any effective ways of coping with all of this mess, please share. In the meantime, I'm going to keep telling myself that tomorrow will be a better day.
Unfortunately, my poor GYN suggested I have an early mammogram at my annual today, and I about lost it. That is not like me. I can usually roll with the punches. Maybe it's stress, maybe it's cortisol, maybe it's my thyroid, or maybe I'm just fed up!
All in all, I'm just having a day. After this post, I may even have to change my name to MostlyPeachyWithMomentsofFreakingOut. The fear of the unknown can do that I guess. It's a process trying to digest one new illness, but how does one effectively cope with two?! Not to mention that my thyroid doesn't want to be outdone, so it has joined in on the anarchy as well. I could really go for "normal" right now.
I probably should be grateful that I can still function, and that I can wake up each morning to a new day. There are so many things that are good in my life, and I am scared of losing them all . So, if anyone has any effective ways of coping with all of this mess, please share. In the meantime, I'm going to keep telling myself that tomorrow will be a better day.
One thing to remember, a lot of your issues are probably related to MCTD. Problem is, they require more than one Dr. Carry a calander with EVERYTHING on it, work, school, kids, Drs, ect. Can you even fit everything on it? Work efficiently and ask for help. Spouse, kids, other family or hire help. With house keeping or yard work.
I had 4 kids and get the challenge. When I went out of remission, I had 2 kids, a husband, a job, a Girl Scout Troop, 2 cats, ect. I just had to let some stuff go and ask for help. When I first married, my spouse traveled for his job and I did everything. That carried over to when he stopped traveling. I finally said, "you want dinner, you cook it"! "You can take the kids to school". "kids, here is how you do laundry!
It really helped. Not to say, I havent had my pitty party and times of just insanity, but it helped.
It sure will help if you can get your hormones under control. And I wish you luck!
Mary Ann