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 ...
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I was diagnosied with MCTD in early 2007. Before that, I was a very active lawyer, wife and mother. I was juggling a million things at once and I really thought illness was for everyone else but me. Then in early 2007, I was hit by MCTD, which started as general fatigue and aches and pains everywhere. I had always had Raynaud's but this time my fingers and toes were deep purple instead of white and they were extremely sore!! I could not walk. I was then diagnosied with vasculitis,(inflamation of the blood vessels) which explained why I had pain deep inside and all over my body. A month later, a DVT was revealed by ultrasound. The blood clot ran from my hip down to my left heel!! I could not walk and I could barely stand the pain! Shortly afterwards, my lungs became involved and I suffered several minor pulmonary emboli. This has left my lungs scarred and partially collapsed. I have developped interstitial lung disease in addition.
As terrible as all this sounds, with the medication (Prednisone, Warfarin, Cellcept, Nexium, Didrocal. etc) the symptoms of my discease are pretty much under control. I have reached a level where I can have an almost normal day (at home of course!) Despite my progress, the disease has resisted the immunosuppressant treatment so far. Docotrs are planning chemotherapy for me starting this summer. I am scared! Has anyone else had chemotherapy? Posted on 05/16/08, 09:05 pm |
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Yes you have had a rough time of it. I haven't tried the chemotherapy and yes I bet it would be scary. 
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Hi, wow you really have been through a lot. I have UCTD, Fibro, etc. and to answer your question about chemo, I take methotrexate shots twice a week as an immunosuppresant. I don't know if it is similar to what you are talking about, but it is a chemo drug and is used as such in higher doses for breast cancer, etc. I take my shots at night right before I lay my head on my pillow. I sleep in the next morning and drink lots of water that day. It makes me feel pretty yucky for a couple of days so I take it as easy as possible. It does help me be able to have a life for the other 5 days, so it is worth it. I'm not up and running around those 5 days, but I'm not laying in bed either, so it is worth it.
Anyway, I'm sending you big hugs and hope this helps. Hugs, Polarbear
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I've heard of the methotrexate, but not a full-blown chemotherapy course. I would get clarification from the doctor what he/she defines as "chemotherapy" seeing as these days that could mean any number of drugs/treatments. Regardless of what your doctor wants to treat you with, I wish you call the best with this endeavor! ^_^
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Several of you have asked me this and prognosis with MCTD of course varies widely depending on the associated problems …
What's your experiece been with MCTD? It sounds like it can be pretty debilitating.
Hey you guys...some of you have asked me this: What are the criteria for diagnosis of Mixed Connective Tissue Disease …
