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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Lungs

auggie70
auggie70
Just started having some shortness of breath with activity. Feels more uncomfortable in my chest more than anything can still function... well i get a chest x-ray for over 40 pre -op for my EGD and they find abnormal x-ray. I have lung test today and only using 60% of my lung function. Now I really feel short of breath LOL. Has anyone else just had lung issue just come out of no where? What did they do for it? They have me doing a test to rule out asthma but it presents nothing like asthma Im really afraid its this disease??? Thanks for any input- Michelle
brunob
brunob
I don't want to scare you, but that is how I started. I am below 50% lung capacity now and on 02.

I am stable now with medication. They first thing they did was put me on prednisone and plaquenil. I have also had an infusion of rituximab last february. I has a slight improvement since then.

They think my lung issue is due to rheumatoid arthritis....one of the many idiosyncrosy's of this disease.

Don't panic at all the things you read on the Internet.....most of it won't apply to you. If you have any specific questions I would be glad to help.

Beth
auggie70
auggie70
Thanks!!! I may have questions after I have 2nd breathing test and go back to Dr for results. Im on Prednisone and methotrexate already. At least this Dr knows what MCTD is and refers to it as MCTD. Makes me feel alittle better Its usually me telling Dr what I have LOL!!! Thanks again-----Michelle
deleted_user
deleted_user
I had had shortness of breath worse than before in the past year, I have both ILD and scleroderma. My scleroderma numbers are low and the ILD isn't too bad (yet).
But my pulmonologist also sent me for an echocardiogram (I have palpitations ... and I guess he's trying to rule out pulmonary hypertension ... so maybe you should ask for an echo too). Also I'm going for a CAT scan probably to rule out any clots in my lungs, or other abnormalities the XRAY or EKG doesn't show.
Get all the tests!!! I know after I get the results at least I'll know, even if it IS scary.