RA is a connective tissue disease. Having a dx of UCTD doesn't mean it's not RA...just means they don't know which one it is yet. Lupus, RA, etc. are all connective tissue diseases and as such treated with dmards.

Were you given any meds to take?

My former boss has it and is on Plaquenil

Looks like this might be a bit of a "junk" diagnosis, used in a "time will tell" situation when they are not quite sure yet which of these lovely diseases you actually have. My first diagnosis was "unspecified inflammatory polyarthropathy" which is kind of along the same lines. Is your doctor starting treatment?

same thing was told to me seven years ago ..goodluck to you .

I sometimes wonder if the drs make up these diagnosis to make themselves appear smart :p

No, I think they make up all those words to make us feel daft:)

Well, it's kinda like the idea of species. So, if it looks like a duck and walks like a duck, it's a duck. Might be a canvas back, mallard, pintail, etc...but still a duck.
So sorry you are "here". But it's in good company!

In 2005 I was told it was UCTD and I was prescribed Plaquenil which I am still taking. However, around 2010 I was told it was RA. So now I am being referred back to the physician I saw in 2005 who initially diagnosed me with UCTD because it definetely doesn't look as if I have RA...at least that's what they are telling me now but of course that can change in a heart beat. It's frustrating not knowing exactly what's wrong with me. I was told there are new experimental drugs that are really great for treating UCTD.My physician is suppose to be an expert on the disease. My appointment is December 18. I can hardly wait. Thanks everyone!

I was originally told that I had inflammatory arthritis. I was told to take Celebrex when it was active. At the time, I felt like he wasn't taking me seriously. It wasn't RA because it wasn't symmetrical, flaring on both sides at the same time. He didn't call it RA until 10 years later when everything hurt and was swollen. And I do mean everything. Neck, shoulders, wrists, fingers, knees, ankles and feet. Well, I guess I missed a few. Since then I can add my jaw, both sides. Now, I take MTX and Humira, and am doing pretty well.

I agree. Some of these diagnoses are just general until they can find out what kind of "duck", as bcatz said, you are.

All these autoimmune diseases are related. The docs can't answer everything, so they spend time classifying.