Janet: Mixed Connective Tissue Disease

Hi, my name is Janet, and I have just been diagnosed with Mixed Connective Tissue Disease (MCTD), lung fibrosis, Raynaud's and sicca (dryness) symptoms. I am going to get a biopsy of my salivary gland in my lower lip on May 18, 2006. I am kind of worried about it all do not do needles well. This test is supposed to confirm the diagnosis of Sjogren's.

I was also diagnosed with fibromyalgia about five years ago.

Since November 11, 2005, I have felt like I am slowly dying. My whole body hurts. My muscles in my legs, elbow and hip joints hurt all the time. Some of my medications help and some do not. I keep thinking this cannot last forever!

I have read that some people go into remission with their autoimmune diseases. I have a twin sister who has lupus, so we talk a lot about our aches and pains. I will be fifty-two next month but feel like I am seventy.

I have a really great husband of twenty-six years, but I cannot talk to him about my pain or I try not to. I know he gets tired of hearing about the new pain all the time!

I have read some of the stories on this site and they sound so familiar to mine! I need someone to really understand how I feel.

My husband is a pharmacist and he tries to keep up with any new medicine.

I am a retired nurse but have started a soap and candle business. We all need something to take our mind off of our disease.

I am afraid of getting addicted to pain medication, so I do not take them unless I really have to. If there is something I really want to do, I take a pain pill and just go! Maybe not the best idea but the pain medication does help me live my life. I am sure that if I did not take pain medication, I would just be in bed all day.

Thanks for listening, my family gets tired of hearing it. Good luck to all of you.