Mixed Connective Tissue Disease

Question: How does mixed connective tissue disease affect bladder control and fluid retention and output?

Answer: Coz they are involving more than one systems.

Question: Mixed Connective Tissue disease-any experience? After being worked up for lupus and RA the rheumatologist and my internist agree I have mixed connective tissue disease. Does anyone have experience with this? Isn't possible that it could morph into something more serious? The worst part is the swelling in my hands. When I write I need a sumo grip pen. Sometimes my fingers swell so much I have trouble bending them.

Answer: Jenny, Sounds like they don't know what is. I'm not a doctor and my issue could be different, however, there may be something of merit for you in my story. I've had something like this for about 12 years now. It's hell. I had to give up cycling, kayaking, skiing, and lifting weights. It literally took my youth from me. None of my doctors could get to the bottom of it. Some thought it was in my head and I was drug seeking or a hypochondriac. My brother became a doctor in the time since I came down with this. We've all aged in the family (as everyone does). He's the youngest, and came down with it last year. He was determined to get to the bottom of it and through the network of doctors that know each other and know who is extremely competent (as it is in any profession), he found an excellent rheumatologist. Bottom line - he has psoriatic arthritis. This almost certainly means we all do. It can precede skin involvement by decades, follow it by decades, or never be part of the disease. It explains small irritated skin patches that show up and disappear. It explains the extreme pain but lack of positive tests for rheumatoid, reactive, or other forms of arthritis. In fact - it explains everything based on the tons of information at the psoriasis foundation websight. http://www.psoriasis.org/home/ http://www.psoriasis.org/home/learn02.ph… The possibly good news is that there's a drug that works very well about half the time, and after you've taken it awhile, you can get back to normal activity with minimal pain or problems. It's a powerful immunosuppressant (Embril) and has some side effects. My brother has chosen to take it and see how he feels and what it does and I will anxiously and gladly await the verdict. (does it help? does he get sick more often or feel weird?, etc.) Good luck. Stay after it. This is one of those fields of medicine were many doctors are about as useful as a burger flipping teenager. -Kevin

Question: My husband has mixed connective tissue disease, how long can he live with this condition?

Answer: The overall 10-year survival rate is 80%. Generally it is impossible to predict the life-span of any individual patient, due to the diverse nature of the disease. When you have come to terms emotionally with the diagnosis of your husband, I would highly recommend joining a patient group. learn as much as you can about this complex disease, so you can adequately prepare for the future. Should you wish to learn more, I've listed a reliable source of information below.

Question: Does Anyone on here have Mixed Connective Tissue Disease? I have had it for 10 years now and never met anyone else with this condition please if anyone else does I would like to make friends with you and see how you are affected by it because I cant find any groups for MCTD... its always just lupus or just this or just that. Anyway be nice to hear from anyone xx xx haych xx

Answer: Mixed connective tissue disease is an uncommon, specifically defined, overlap syndrome characterized by clinical features of SLE, systemic sclerosis, and polymyositis with very high titers of circulating antinuclear antibody to a ribonucleoprotein antigen. Hand swelling, Raynaud's syndrome, polyarthralgia, inflammatory myopathy, esophageal hypomotility, and pulmonary dysfunction are common. Diagnosis is by the combination of clinical features, antibodies to ribonucleoprotein, and absence of antibodies specific for other autoimmune diseases. Treatment varies with disease severity and organ involvement but usually includes corticosteroids and sometimes additional immunosuppressive drugs.

Question: Does anyone know or have Mixed Connective Tissue Disease and Symptoms?? My CBC is 2.5 (Low). Does this mean anything and is there a Great doctor who knows something about this disorder?? I have been to 3 Rheum. already and Internal Med doc is in the dark .

Answer: The connective tissues are the structural portions of our body that essentially hold the cells of the body together. These tissues form a framework or matrix for the body. The connective tissues are composed of two major structural molecules, collagen and elastin. There are many different collagen proteins that vary in amount in each tissue of the body. Elastin is another protein that has the capability of stretching and returning to original length like a spring. Elastin is the major component of ligaments (tissues which attach bone to bone). Connective tissue diseases are disorders featuring abnormalities involving the collagen and elastin. Connective tissue diseases are often characterized by a variety of immune abnormalities that are common for each particular type of illness. Most people have subtle signs and symptoms of the disease many years before ever getting a diagnosis. They can include fingers swelling, joint and or muscular pain, irritable bowel syndrome, digestive problems, Raynaud's symptoms (fingers turning white when cold), allergies, general malaise, sleep disturbances and quite frequently overwhelming fatigue. Sometimes the symptoms feel like the flu. Some patients have frequent infections including gum infections, sore throats, stomach infections, and respiratory infections. Symptoms vary, and each person's illness can be quite different. Often a person with MCTD goes to many doctors with these small complaints, but often a doctor will not grasp the whole picture since it is very rare. Many patients are told they are depressed and put on anti-depressants. Frequently the illness progresses until there is damage to the internal organs. It is often then that the diagnosis is made. Often the diagnosis is made based on the symptoms. But, there are several tests of autoimmune disease. Usually the first test given is the ANA (anti-nuclear antibodies). This is a general test of autoimmune disease. A "speckled" pattern and abnormally high results are found in the ANA if MCTD is present. Although in the early stages of MCTD, it can be negative. If the ANA is positive, additional tests will be given to identify the kind of autoimmune disease present. The RNP antibodies are the hallmark of MCTD, and will be abnormally high as well. New Evidence in an article in Arthritis and Rheumatism (May 1999)demonstrates that antibody to RNA is a better marker for MCTD since it tracks the activity of the disease. A person with this disease may have antibodies found in the various other autoimmune disease as well. The treatment of mixed connective tissue disease is based on which features are causing symptoms. The prognosis (outlook) varies accordingly. Therapies must be targeted for each of the organ systems affected. In general, treatment is often directed at suppressing the inflammation present in the tissues by using anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive medications. In brief, connective tissues are the framework of the cells of the body. Mixed connective tissue disease is an "overlap" combination of connective tissue diseases. Diagnosis of mixed connective tissue disease is supported by detecting abnormal antibodies in the blood. Treatment of mixed connective tissue disease is directed at suppressing immune-related inflammation of tissues. With respect to you result of a Complete Blood Count, the normal values are :- RBC (varies with altitude): Male: 4.7 to 6.1 million cells/mcL: Female: 4.2 to 5.4 million cells/mcL: WBC: 4,500 to 10,000 cells/mcL: Hematocrit (varies with altitude): Male: 40.7 to 50.3 %: Female: 36.1 to 44.3 %: Hemoglobin (varies with altitude): Male: 13.8 to 17.2 gm/dL: Female: 12.1 to 15.1 gm/dL: MCV: 80 to 95 femtoliter: MCH: 27 to 31 pg/cell: MCHC: 32 to 36 gm/dL: (cells/mcL = cells per microliter; gm/dL = grams per deciliter; pg/cell = picograms per cell) I am supposing that the low reading you state, is with regard to the Red Blood Cells. Low numbers of RBCs may indicate: Blood loss: Anemia (various types): Hemorrhage: Bone marrow failure (for example, from radiation, toxin, fibrosis, tumor): Erythropoietin deficiency (secondary to renal disease): Hemolysis (RBC destruction) Leukemia: Multiple myeloma: Malnutrition (nutritional deficiencies of iron, folate, vitamin B12, or vitamin B6). Hope this helps Matador 89

Question: Lasik and mixed connective tissue disease?? Hi, I'd like to know what anyone knows about getting lasik done and have an autoimmune disease. THis is for me I have seen 2 doctors, 1 said I'm a good candidate but the other said I am not because my cornea could melt, I am going to speak to my rheumatologist about it but I'd like to know what you all know about this. THank you for your answers.

Answer: Read http://ft0.org/832b09 it has good information on laser eye surgery and treatments.

Question: Mixed Connective Tissue Disease? Could someone explain what MCT disease is.. I need to know some more answers to this

Answer: Do check out all the websites listed and keep looking, as it's not very common so it's hard to find information on it. Despite what you might read, it is it's own autoimmune disease, and it should not be confused for UCTD (Undifferentiated Connective Tissue Disease). MCTD is diagnosed when there is a positive and high value for one specific blood test - the anti-RNP. This should also be accompanied by a high positive ANA result as well - generally speckled pattern. While some people with lupus have a positive anti-RNP, it is a diagnosing criteria for MCTD. MCTD can have symptoms of 3 other autoimmune diseases making it a good impersonator of the others and difficult to diagnose - Lupus, Scleroderma, and Polymiositis. It is HIGHLY common (estimates I've read say about 95%) for MCTD diagnosed patients to develop Raynaud's Syndrome. I developed it about 6 mo. after my initial diagnosis. Also arthralgia or arthritis are very common, as with Lupus. Also common with MCTD is esophogial issues (related to polymiositis) as well as pleuresy related to the lungs and fluid build up around the heart as well. In general the life expectancy and overall symptoms of MCTD are similar to Lupus, but tend to be slightly better outcomes overall. Feel free to contact me if you have any more questions, as I have had to find all of this out on my own and have been educating my family and friends about this, Lupus, and other autoimmune disorders. It was good because about a year ago, my aunt was diagnosed with RA and I was able to help out some in explaining a few things and being supportive. If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with this, or the doctors believe you/they might have this, it's important to know that it's not worth being scared over. It's manageable and treatable with medications and general observance. Also I have found out that just knowing is far better than wondering. While I still have some symptoms daily, my medications have made them unnoticeable to most people and I'm able to continue to do most of the things I've been doing. And sometimes I honestly don't notice anything or much at all - you just get used to some of the little things and realize it's life as normal. :)

Question: I need answers on an autoimmune disease called mixed connective tissue disorder? I have been diagnosed with this auto immune disease and I have no clue what to do. Is there anyone out there that is going through what I am. Please give me advice on how to deal with it.

Answer: I hope this site is of some use to you. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/mixed-c… I do not have that separate diagnosis, but do have it as a part of an autoimmune disease. I have Antiphospholipid Syndrome and I do know others with this dual diagnosis. Best wishes to you.

Question: For anyone who has Mixed Connective Tissue Disease or Lupus...do you get swollen glands?? Painful or Painless (which for you??)

Answer: I have Systemic Lupus--the kind that is really serious--and yes I do have swollen glands alot. I think it has alot to do with the immune system being so degraded. Mine aren't always painful, or maybe I've just gotten used to it. I do know that my diet plays a big part in how I feel, and so does how much sun I've been exposed to. I hope this helps you. Take care!!

Question: What to know what dermamyosistis looks like? It is one of the disorders of mixed connective tissue disease.

Answer: Dermatomyositis is often associated with muscle weakness (usually more so in the proximal muscles such as the hips and upper arms) and a characteristic rash over the face (heliotrope rash).