The Warning Signs of Mixed Connective Tissue Disease

These are rare diseases. There are three primary manifestations: lupus SLE, scleroderma, and polymyositis. We have connective tissues all over our body so when they break down the results can be disastrous.

While there are ways to test for these diseases -- they are often difficult/undiagnosed because they are so rare, doctors often overlook them or fail to screen for them. All mixed connective tissue diseases are autoimmune in nature.

Currently there are no known genetic links to MCTDs however, if you have a close relative with one, you are more likely to have one. Do you have a MCTD?

Here are some of the early symptoms to watch out for and report to your doctors if you are experiencing.

What questions do you have about MCTD?

This is the Chronic Wellness Podcast. I'm Annette Leonard, speaker, coach, and sick person who believes that my illnesses do not define me. If health is the absence of disease and wellness is the presence of wholeness, then no matter what your disease status, we can work toward your wellness, your wholeness.

[surethabadenhorst]

I am greatful you made this video. My daughter has been in debilitating flare ups of pain cycle for years. She is only 9, and has sufferred these flares her whole life.

She was diagnosed with Ceoliac at age 4, and we were told to give it 18 months and see if her body is better. She is MUCH better, but still gets these severe pain/fatigue/nausea flares that see her in bed for weeks, barely able to walk 😢

Her last doctor said she needs mental help, since all she knew from the undiagnosed ceoliac was pain, so likely her brain just "perceives" she is in pain still but she actually isn't 🤬 and then I was told that me as a mum worrying over it is "casuing her anxiety" which is keeping her in bed. I should be forcing her to get up and play outside and walk at least 3km a day. My daughter broke down completely after this and we moved to a new GP. She has just tested positive on an ANA test, and will be going through diagnosis to see if it is maybe lupus or a connective tissue disease. Given pain in one knee is a common symptom for her, I am thinking her connective tissues are definitely involved. It is such a long process, and no one else in the family has ever been diagnosed with any of these things.

I felt I needed go get this off my chest to a group of people who may understand the challenges of living with, and obtaining a diagnosis for, these complex autoimmune issues. Thanks for sharing your story ❤

[barbaralane]

Just got diagnosed, pretty scary YOU no? Had been telling Dr. about pain all over my body, they just don't listen, they think you are crazy 😢 but who knows your body better than you? Hope to see more of your videos, thank you 😊

[yegohwr]

Hello, lovely!

:::repeating with you: mixed connective tissue diseases, mixed connective tissue diseases, mixed connective tissue diseases:::

Thank you for this "I told them a hundred times it wasn't fibromyalgia!" video!!