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...

614 Members
1,869 Posts
0 Online
Allergies & Immunity
/ MCTD Support Group

Sun exposure and heart conditions

Ephesians2
Ephesians2

does anyone else get chest pain when they are out in the sun? Kind of feels like my lungs swell up. I try and keep out of the sun but it's almost impossible with a toddler during summer time. Also wondering if anyone developed SVT, Sinus Tacchy or AFIB with MCTD. I'm due for an ablation in Aug and nervous that it won't be much help. How was your experience? I'm on metropolol now for my heart. 

MToennis
MToennis
I have SVT but am not sure it was caused by MCTD. My grandmother and a niece have it also. They were unable to ablate mine. I wish you luck.
Mary Ann
EbonyG
EbonyG
Hello!!
I was diagnosed with SVT 17 years ago. I was diagnosed with Lupus in 2014, and MCTD in 2017.

I currently have Metoprolol for ACT episodes. However, my Pulmonologist doesn't
agree with my Cardiologist about using Metoprolol.

As for the sun!! Oh my depends on the day. I have felt like I have had a ton of bricks on my chest, SOB, or just sick. The sun is my best friend and enemy. I continue to have Vitamin D deficiency, therefore I try to get as much sun as I can tolerate.
Ephesians2
Ephesians2
MToennis what are you doing to control your SVT since ablation didn't help?
And EbonyG, how come your pulmonologist doesn't agree with the metropolol? Thanks for the answers! Sorry haven't responded earlier (not on here very much)
MToennis
MToennis
I take coreg and flecainide and it does pretty well. I also had a loop monitor put in to keep a check on how much fast heart rate I was having. It gets up to 187 beats per minute. As for the metoprolol, in some people, it can cause asthma. The coreg I take has a beta blocker in it as well as an alpha blocker. Every time the Dr increases the coreg, I cant breath as well and have to cut back down. Hope this helps.
Mary Ann
Teeh
Teeh
I was prescribed propranolol for an unstable heart condition.
Neuro said that my vessels would dilate too much when maintaining the same position for extended periods, blood would pool towards gravity, heart would spaz trying to make sense of the lack of circulation. She recommended a large amount of sodium for about to pass out situations. She actually recommended a bouillon cube. I told her I wasn't about that life but I could totally drink pickle juice, to which she said would work as long as I remembered to stay hydrated.

That was a year ago. Now I drink a gallon of water a day, keep pickle juice Popsicles on standby and maintain a steady dose of CBD to minimize inflammation and I'm active 80+ hours a week again.