My old rheumy (who was listed as one of Washingtonian Magazine's top doctors) told me that when you have UCTD, you have symptoms of a bunch of different autoimmune disorders. A lot more than the ones that are associated with MCTD. But, when you have MCTD, you can have symptoms of other things, but with MCTD you will have the positive RNP and you will not have that with the UCTD. So, if you have the positive RNP why did they say UCTD? That would be my first question to them!
I don't know much about the phospholipid antibodies, but it has something to do with sticky blood. I think Cat might be able to tell you more about that. I think the treatment for that is blood thinners, and I think that one of the symptoms of that antibody is sob. Have you had a breathing test at all to see if anything is going on with your lungs? It is good that you don't have any organ damage, but you need to stay on top of the lung stuff. They can get bad with MCTD.
Glad you liked the new rheumy. Hope they provide you with some better answers soon!
-Kate

Thank you Kate for responding... I am a little confused about it all and trying not to be obsessed with it but I have been in the medical field as a MA for over 20 yrs and I just need that scientific explanation of what is going on in my body. It seemd to me that they are trying to help us but they do not really know eough info but are doing there best.
Anyone else?? I am watching the lung thing though I still feel kinda like I am just winging it with my care and sx's.. so just will play it day by day and think I have decided to try a preservative free diet since it truy makes since all the junk we put in our bodies.
like shredded cheese have you all noticed that it lasts for like 6mths... i remeber not to long ago i was like kids hurry up and eat the cheese before it mildews....lol Just soemthung to think about

I guess it is good that they changed your dx. I was told since my ANA is not high enough for the dx of MCTD even tho my RNP is high. I was told the treatment is the same. Still trying new meds, on trying Imuran, don't know anything about this drug, have not had time to check it out.
We have noticed that my ANA has been on the rise, but still not enough for MCTD dx. But now my dermatologist just told me that the rash on my hand is Lupus according to biopsy, but dont know that that mean as a final Dx.
You are right, I don't think the doctors know much about this disease.
If you find an explanation of what a positive RNP means, please let us know.

bb

I really didn't think that you could have a positive RNP and NOT have MCTD!

I've been told the same thing. I have a posititive RNP, but my ANA titters aren't high enough for MCTD. However, another rheumy told me I have MCTD. In the end, they have not changed my treatment or drugs.

Odd.

Gabrielle

Technically, to be correctly and officially diagnosed with MCTD you have to fulfill certain criteria. I am on an iPod or I would give some links. Just google MCTD criteria. But this kind of diagnosis is usually only needed for getting into clinical trials. Most Rheumy's will treat you and maybe even give a diagnosis of MCTD without fulfilling all of the criteria. Mine did. But you have to have at least some of the signs and symptoms plus the RNP. A good Rheumy will not diagnose or treat you on antibodies alone, without signs and symptoms. Problems we all manifest these autoimmune diseases in different ways and it is very complicated. It is not as simole as seeing a certain antibody in your bloodwork, it is a combination of things. So different Rheumy's may give different diagnosis. Just hopefully you can find one who will treat you and get you feeling better. We can't be too hard on the Rheumys, these are complicated diseases and science is still learning about them. Lupus is called the disease of 1000 faces so I suppose MCTD might be more like 10,000 faces. And actually many Rheumys are now thinking that MCTD falls more into the Scleroderma spectrum but there are still those who manifest more Lupus like, polymyositis like or RA like. I think we are all snowflakes and these autoimmune connective tissue disease are all a spectrum so we don not all fit into these nice little boxes they call diagnoses. Sorry for any spelling errors.

I guess for some reason it's like I have to have the exact dx so that I can deal with it and move on... I am starting to do this anyway just have some faith that God will provide for my needs.
This is one thing that confuses me though,,, yes I know that with eithe of these autoimmune dis you can have so many diff crazy sx,s
So when I go to the rheumy and I am having bunch of crazy sx and they tell SMS it's not from the MCTDn then what the heck is it if it's not from that and how do they know since it can attack everything. That's what is so confusing to me