Mctd

[ladybrayton3]

A co-workder of mine has MCTD and is not currently on any treatment. I told her she should be seeing a rheumatologist for her condition rather than her family doctor. She is not even receiving symptomatic relief. I know everyone's treatment varies depending on their condition, but are there any standard medications or therapies for MCTD?

[Linda_L]

MCTD treatment is a bit like treatment for lupus..basically it depends on how severely affected you are and what organs and part of the body are involved. So, it starts from simple pain killers and non-steroidal anti-inflammatories to steroids, disease modifying drugs such as plaquenil or methotrexate to immunosuppressant and biologic treatments if you need it. Also, symtoms like raynauds or pulmonary hypotension may need other treatments. Which brings me on to the second question..she definately should try and see a rheumatologist and preferably one who knows about MCTD as it is a very rare disorder and its progress can be unpredictable. Pulmonary hypotension is quite common with it, very serious and often symptom free in the early stages. It is also difficult to diagnose so I would not be happy with a diagnosis of MCTD unless it was from a rheumatologist. It is not always the harmless disease that people once though it was so I really recommend that she gets a proper diagnosis and treatment. If her disease is well controlled then she should have very few symptoms! Good luck