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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Shortness of Breath

tammib
tammib
I am starting to feel better after 8 or 9 months of spending most of my time in bed. I experience shortness of breath with minimal activity. Should I push myself so my lungs can get stronger or should I take it easy? I definitely don't want to set myself back or make myself worse. My chest CT Scan was normal. Thanks as always for your help!
RJRelaxing
RJRelaxing
Your doctor is the best to answer this one, I was in a wheelchair for months last year due to breathing difficulties. Make sure they check your heart rhythm.

I have in-home walking tapes and I started with 5 minutes and set down. From there I built up, but you have to listen to your body. 5 to 10 minutes to start with is a good goal. Never good to stay in bed too long, but don't push so hard that you go backwards. Pace everything you do so you don't run out of air. Good luck. Very strange feeling when you can't breath. Hugs -RJ
brunob
brunob
as long as you have no lung involvement, id say work slowly and see if you can build up more stamina. you have been pretty inactive so take it very slowly.

Beth
deleted_user
deleted_user
I have been having problem with SOB for about two years. I was told I get angina.

Funny, my new rheumy ordered chest-xray for the breathing. X-ray was normal. The breathing gets worse when I get the angina pain and my blood pressure goes sky high. I am not sure if all this is related with my heart or due to MCTD.

If you find out that is causing your SOB, please let us know.

bb
Livin-Right
Livin-Right
Over a year ago now I had shortness of breath and low pulse/oxygen, I ended up buying a pulseox meter from walgreens for about 30 dollars. To make sure it was out of breath and not anxiety or my heart. 85 on the meter means you need oxygen, so your overdoing it.

Another opinion from my Rhumy was no, at this point a 20 ft slow walk can make mine drop to 87 to 86, Sleep study found me at 73. Doc said no to exercise.

The bad thing is after being dormant for so long I am doing isometrics while watching my oxygen levels. ask your doc, your gp and i think everyone might give you a different answer , but ask.
deleted_user
deleted_user
Was just told I have MCTD. The SOB is driving me nuts. Had several tests and still seeing pulmonologist. Ruled out big stuff. No one seems to be saying "oh yes, SOB is associated with MCTD.". I have good days and some days the left side really hurts. Sleeping is another story. My Norco seems to help, or at least psychologically it. Any one else get frustrated?