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Connective tissue disorder

Posted , 4 users are following.

lesley73855
lesley73855

Hi

Hope someone out there can give me some advice. For the last 3 years I have been suffering from anal fistula. I have now been told by my gp that my esr , crp, uric acid levels are all high. He has said he is sure I have connective tissue disease due to all my joints from my toes to my neck are affected, also muscle cramps and many more issue. He has referred me to a rheumatologist. TO CUT TO THE CHASE. I have never heard of connective tissue disease and was hoping someone could give me any information if they are suffering from it.

Many thanks for any help lesley

1 like, 5 replies

5 Replies

  • Tumtum1963
    Tumtum1963 lesley73855

    Posted

    Hi Lesley. Connective tissue diseases are Lupus, Scleroderma, Sjögren's, APS and Vasculitis. Also it includes two overlap diseases, MCTD (mixed connective tissue disease) and UCTD (undifferentiated connective tissue disease). They are also classed as rheumatic diseases and are all autoimmune. Rheumatoid Arthritis, Ankylosing Spondylitis and Psoriatic Arthritis are also part of same family but are usually categorised as musculoskeletal because they erode the joints rather than the tissue around the joints and organs. This means the body's own immune system attacks itself in all of these diseases.

    Each disease has its own deiagnostic criteria - but for some they have several full blown diseases were others have a mix of these but they don't fully show themselves. So there are symptoms common to each and common symptoms to all (such as arthritis) so no one individual has exactly the same set of signs and symptoms - so can be hard to diagnose or differentiate unless your bloods show specific markers to one disease - and even then you may not have all the symptoms. 

    Sorry you you are suffering and I hope you get clarification soon. 

    • Tumtum1963
      Tumtum1963

      Posted

      Ps I should add that connective tissue is basically the tissue (or glue and paper) that holds us together i.e skin, muscle, nerves, tendons, moisture producing glands, organs and blood. 
    • lesley73855
      lesley73855 Tumtum1963

      Posted

      Hi tumtum

      Thanks for all the information. It would be great to speak to someone who has the same issue. In my area there is a waiting list to see a specialist of 6-9 mthsMost days I'm in pain all over my body. My left hand has started to shake when I turn my hand. It's weird. I have now got the dwp saying I'm fit enough to go back to work. I will be interested in which employment they recommend due to the fact I also have copd, hypertension, anal fistulas and now connective tissue. Sorry about the moaning. It's appreciated you getting back to me.

      Kind regards lesley

  • lisalisatheone
    lisalisatheone lesley73855

    Posted

    anal fistulas are quite common in chrons disease and chrons disease can be arthritic
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