MCTD

[Guest guest]

Pam, I was diagnosed with mixed connective tissue disease about 20

years ago. My only symptoms at the time were some joint pain. I was

treated with NSAIDS, which I finally stopped, as the joint pain was

not too bad. I was only diagnosed so fast because my husband had

rheumatoid arthritis, and I went to his doctor.

Since then, I have lost some of the mobility of my esophagus, and

have Reynauds, but I was taking nothing for the MCTD.

The EN started about 10 years ago, and I tried everything every

specialist would throw at it, until a cardiologist tried to give me a

box from one of his drug detail guys. I asked if it would help, and

he said he didn't know, but it was worth trying.

At that point, I decided I would take better control of my own

disease.

Like , I have lost a lot of the fat padding of my lower legs,

and they are pretty " remarkable " to someone who sees them the first

time at the gym. I am sort of in remission, in that I have only a

few small lumps, and not much pain.

I have developed a chronic cough, which I suspect might be related to

the MCTD, and have gone the route of many doctor/specialist visits,

with minimal success.

I just wanted to let you know that I enjoyed reading your email, and

the link that put on about MCTD (thanks, !) I always

suspected the connection. I am very lucky to have a mild case.

Stephany in Iowa