Hello @faithandlove, welcome to Mayo Connect. I did a quick search on connective tissue by clicking on the search icon (small magnifying glass at the top of the window) and found the following topic where it may be a great place to ask your question and chat with others.

If you would like to join people talking about mixed connective tissue diseases (MCTD), I invite you to post a message and introduce yourself here:

- MCTD (Mixed Connective Tissue Disease) http://mayocl.in/2oJwj7W

Hoping you get a response soon!

John

Hello @faithandlove, (what a lovely username),

I'd like to add my welcome to John's, and encourage you to look at the information he has provided. I hope @snowaries @numby @xanderbam @powerofpositive @cindia1 @livingngrace @zbrooks @regeanna @jewel8888 @kariulrich @luladavis @dogmamat and others will return to share their experiences with you.

Here is some relevant information from Mayo Clinic as well: http://mayocl.in/2nUbmJX, and here are details about Mayo's Connective Tissue Disorder Clinic, which diagnoses and coordinates care for people affected with inherited or genetic forms of connective tissue disease: http://mayocl.in/2nMFAuW

@faithandlove, since this disease involves a combination of disorders, could you tell us a bit more about your symptoms? Are you taking any medications to relieve your pain?

Thank you! Early onset of osteoarthritis, pain all over, venous problems, poor wound healing, joint hypermobility in shoulders, ankles, knees, etc.

I would encourage you to talk to your doctor or get appt at mayo with a genetics counselor. I have Marfans that is a connective tissue disorder that effects body's tissue with your hyper mobility that you have of symptom of Marfans

There are so many connective tissue disorders, and many overlap. Not an easy diagnosis by any means. Have you had a large blood panel done, not just RA?

I have had a full CBC

Welcome to the group @faithandlove, its nice to meet you and the other members here. I had been in the lung ( MAC) group the past six months discussing my lung nodules found when became very ill last year. I am happy to have a good report and healing in my lung and focus here with others in mctd group. There are so many mctd illnesses im sorry your having a hard time with disgnosis.
For me there has been s progression since i started having psoriasis at 18. I was diagnosided first at 26 with fibromyalgia, 30 psoriatic arthritis and degenerative disck disease. Im 46 now and was diagnosed last year with RA and lupus, after a bad bladder, uti, lung infection and systemic rash with hypersensitivity reactions. Shellfish i can no longer be around, the worste, lol. I do not have rheumatoid factor but with the venous swelling, joint sweelling, night sweats, lung involvement and Sponylosis, my doctor has been active in my care. Methotrexate has been the key to my health, if its withdrawn i get very ill and the rash starts back, never going away. Its most difficult during the diagnosis stages. It gets better when we find the appropriate medications for our bodies. I look forward to hearing from you and others in the community.
Julie

I am so sorry you are going thru that.

Your nice for saying that. I am now a patient at MUSC in south Carolina, in good hands, like you will be at Mayo. I had my first hip injection a few weeks ago and its doing much better, next is another back injection. Have a good evening, Julie

Hi Julie, @jewel8888,

Thank you for joining this discussion, and sharing your story. Since you mentioned MUSC, I just wanted to jump in and say that we lived in Charleston for a number of years, and still have our home there. I do miss South Carolina!
We appreciate your participation in the Connect groups, so keep talking (posting), and let us know anytime how the Connect community can help, as well.