Usually it starts with fatigue that is pretty bad and more inflammation and joint pain than usual. It is probably different for everyone. I find I get headaches and nausea quite bad as well. That is just a few things. I haven't had chest pains, I would be concerned about that for sure. As heart complications are an issue I would see a cardiologist asap. Also please remember that symptoms of a heart attack can be greatly different in women than in men http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/HeartAttack/WarningSignsofaHeartAttack/Heart-Attack-Symptoms-in-Women_UCM_436448_Article.jsp read to make sure you know and are aware of what they are so that if it ever may happen to you, you get immediate medical attention. Never take chest pains lightly, any doctor would rather see you and tell you you have indigestion or something non-life threatening than for you to ignore the warning signs and not seek evaluation.

I get really lethargic, have super-bad joint pain (and sometimes sweeling) and then restless leg syndrome all over my body. I usually spend about two-three hours stretching and moving restlessly - fall asleep - and then wake up with sore muscles and joints so stiff its hard to function.

Per your heart/chest pain, I have a cardiologist, and she said she considers people with connective tissues diseases to be heart patients as well. She insists on seeing me every 6 months. I have high blood pressure, high bad cholesterol, and an elevated resting heart rate (which all sometimes feels weird because I am very healthy in terms of eating and weight.). I have no idea if any of these have to do with my diseases, but they are all treated by my cardiologist.

Gabrielle

Yes I do also get that pain in my left side and like you no one knows what it is. I do have severe GERD[acid reflux] and this could be the reason of the chest ain I do also get. The way I see it is if it was heart related it would have killed me by now. Now for the high cholesterol, good news. I just read that this study proved that Plaquenil helps bring it down. That was the answer for me, since I started on Plaquenil 2 years ago the cholesterol now is better than ever and I did not change my diet or exercise. It also has helped with the pains and fatigue thought I now tested positive for RA and still trying to stick to the new medication Methotrexate which is not fun at all. Good luck my dear.

our whole bodies are filled with connective tissue, so it only makes sense that we can have pain anywhere.

I get headaches, fatigue, and usually hand and wrist pain.

For me, I feel like a truck hit me. My whole body hurts. I am waiting to start new med after my surgery. So now if I over do it, I get pain and walk around like an really old lady. As far as your chest pain, could be angina caused by microvascular or they use to call it syndrome X. The usual heart test will not show this. Like you I had every test and thought several times, that I was having a heart attack. Finally had a MET test which showed the microvascular disease of the heart. I have high blood pressure which sometimes get really high with chest pain and sob. I take nitro when this happens. But now I am on blood pressure meds which has helped a lot. I too was told that MCTD would cause inflammation which could also effect my heart.
Good luck at the Mayo
bb

For the chest pain have you ever heard of costochondritis. It HURTS! I get it off and on randomly and it feels like heart pain, but it is inflammation of the intercostal cartilage which is in between your ribs. When I get it, it hurts around my sternum, through my breast and down into my arm. I guess it is called Tietze Syndrome when you have actual swelling, and not just inflammation. Medicinenet.com has a great article on both and the differences between them. Costochondritis has sent me to both the er and the drs. offices multiple times thinking it was my heart.

All the Dr say it's not my heart ... I have had stress echo,heart cath, stress test,etc.... I have palpitations , and get chest pain when I lift something or if I get excited. For instance almost hit someone today in my vcar and had chest pain afterwards for like an hour....it seems to be worse when I wear a wire bra like pressing on me I guess. I havnt heard of the constochroditis. I will check that out. I do not have high b/p, or cholesterol, my triglycerides are awesome. But I feel like my body cannot regulate temperature and this stupid chest pain.....
Thank you all for responding I am just curious of all the sx,s out there. Trying to be a little more prepared for my 2nd opinion at a new Rhuemy

Definitely look into the costochondritis. When it flares up my bras kill me!
-Kate

I was going to mention costochondritis too, but didn't! I have had it and it is very painful. I could not sit up and moving was very painful. It was my lower chest and ribs.

After weeks of pain, I went to my GP and he diagnosed me. He gave me a medicine, but I can't remember the name. I can check when I get home.

My dad had Tietze Syndrome and ended up in the ER because they thought he was having a heart attack.

Good news that Plaquenil helps bring down high cholesterol. I get my next blood test next week to check it. Cardiologist put me on a limited diet and it sucks. Plus, I was already a pretty healthy eater.

Good news that your heart seems healthy!

Gabrielle