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...

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AsElIz 05/09/2011

Just curious to know if anyone has gone the "nautral" route to try to keep the MCTD at bay. I am thinking about it, it is jsut as expensive as my meds and if I dont have to put the poison in my body all the more better for me. Currently I am tkain plaqunil, methotrexate, multi-vit, celebrex, abilify for depression, folci acid to help with the side effects from methotreate. I just get so tired of taking all of them.
Let me know what you guys think
Thanks
AsElIz

Kristina1 05/10/2011

Be very careful if you choose to go on that road!
I suffer from drug-intolerance and have tried some herbal remedies to make the experience, that my allergies don't stop with herbal remedies either !
My body reacted totally allergic to herbal remedies and I had to stop taking them immediately. Unfortunately, so far, there has not been a real independent medical research into herbal remedies and if one has a vulnerable SLE/MCTD- body, potent herbal remedies can have a terrible effect.
I wish you good luck, I know how hard it is.
P.S. The only help I have found is eating a very carefully worked-out vegetarian diet which acts very calming to my vulnerable SLE-MCTD-body. It gives me lots of work and is very boring. I have to bake my own salt-less bread, cook everything every day,all that is very boring and takes so much time, but that is the only thing that has helped me so far.
Good Luck from Kristina.

tlfj00007 05/12/2011

I have never been a firm believer of herbal medicines but I am thinking of getting something to help me sleep. I don't want to get hooked on sleeping pills so I am going to go the herbal route. I also, am on plaqunil and metho and right now I'm in remission and to afraid to try anything else. Terry

MToennis 05/12/2011

I take vitamins in addition to medrol, celebrex and a score of others. I think that taking acid blockers for my stomach causes me to not absorb vitamins like normal. So, I take a multivitamin. I have osteopenia, so I take calcium, vitamin D, and magnesium. I have some undiagnosed eye problems, so I take, eye vitamins, fish oil, and lutien. But it would be difficult to get the same help you get from herbs as you get from meds. Lots of meds are actually based on herbs but the strength is intensified. Think you could see if you took herbs in addition to your meds, and if you felt better, ask your Dr if you can reduce your meds. Good luck.
Mary Ann

brunob 05/13/2011

Just be careful because herbals can have interactions just like meds. Clear everything you are taking with your pharmacist.

I take a multi, calcium,magnesium, vit d, maca, and a few others that I vary depending on season and how I feel.

Good luck
Beth

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