Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsFrequent SymptomsRare SymptomsCauses of a Flare-UpTreatmentWhen to See a Healthcare Provider
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Frequent Symptoms
Rare Symptoms
Causes of a Flare-Up
Treatment
When to See a Healthcare Provider
If you’ve been diagnosed withmixed connective tissue disease(MCTD), you may wonder how to manage disease flares or MCTD exacerbations.
To live well with MCTD, it’s important to understand the symptoms and possible triggers of flares so that you can properly manage your health.
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The most common and frequent symptoms of MCTD that can occur during a flare are dependent upon which overlap syndrome your disease course more closely follows. Almost all patients with MCTD will experience joint pain.
You may also have inflamed muscles that cause weakness and soreness around the shoulders and hips. Having swollen hands and fingers is common, as is a butterfly-shaped rash on the cheeks and bridge of the nose.
Similar symptoms or flares are seen inundifferentiated connective tissue disease, an autoimmune disorder with similar overlap syndromes but which doesn’t fulfill enough criteria to reach a specific diagnosis of lupus, MCTD, or any other connective tissue disease.
Classic Symptoms of MCTD
Though MCTD is often difficult to diagnose because of its overlap with other syndromes, four classic symptoms are characteristic of the disease:
Cold exposure can cause an exacerbation of current or past symptoms, especially those of Raynaud’s phenomenon.
In one study, lupus patients who did not comply with their treatment plans were at higher risk for flares. Patients prescribed hydroxychloroquine who reached an inactive state of the disease but continued their medication experienced a 74% lower risk of developing severe flares than those who went off the drug.
Symptom management depends highly on which symptoms are present. Treatment for MCTD flares may also be based on the management of other autoimmune disorders.
If arthritis signs are present, disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) may be recommended. If there are lupus symptoms, antimalarials may be used. There’s no one-size-fits-all answer for MCTD.
Medication
While there is no uniform treatment for MCTD, some common drugs are prescribed for various symptoms. The aim of prescription medicines for MCTD is to control the disease from preventing further damage and to ease symptoms.
Most people can be well treated with systemic steroids, disease-modifying antirheumatics like hydroxychloroquine or methotrexate, or immunosuppressive drugs like cyclosporine.You may also be advised to takeNSAIDsfor pain and inflammation. Whatever state you are in, your healthcare provider will work with you to find the best treatment plan.
Lifestyle Changes
Learning to rest when you need it is good for preventing over-fatigue. Resting when necessary does not mean you’re lazy. It means you understand your body’s limits.
It is also important toeat a healthy diet. Anti-inflammatory diets have been shown to help with symptoms. Avoid smoking, and practice stress-reducing activities such as exercise, yoga, meditation, or even reading a book.
If you are currently in a flare, you may need to reduce the amount of exercise or take it slow. You do not want to cause more stress on your body.
Support Groups
Living with an unpredictable disease like MCTD can be worrying. Talking to others experiencing similar symptoms can help you feel less alone and help relieve some of the stress.
Organizations like theLupus Foundation of America, theScleroderma Foundation, theMyositis Association, and theArthritis Foundationall have resources to help you find support groups. These groups may be in person or online. Your local hospital may also have support groups. Check with them to find out.
You should see your practitioner if you experience symptoms that are worse than before or if your symptoms become debilitating. It is also important to keep all healthcare provider’s appointments.
Continue to see your medical professional regularly regardless of how you feel. It may be tempting to skip an appointment if you feel well, but maintaining regular care is important for good outcomes with MCTD.
A Word From Verywell
Living with an unpredictable disease like MCTD can feel overwhelming at times. When you feel overwhelmed, talk to someone—a friend, a loved one, your healthcare provider, or a therapist. You do not have to face the disease alone. In fact, that may cause more stress.
Adjusting to the unpredictability of the ups and downs of MCTD can be difficult, but the more you understand what triggers your symptoms and flares, the more you can feel confident that you can lead a good, healthy life.
15 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Arthritis Society.Mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD).Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center (GARD).Mixed connective tissue disease.MedlinePlus.Raynaud’s phenomenon.Cleveland Clinic.Mixed connective tissue disease: causes, symptoms, treatment.National Organization for Rare Disorders.Mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD).Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center (GARD).Mixed connective tissue disease.Madieh J, Khamayseh I, et. al.Scleroderma renal crisis in a case of mixed connective tissue disease treated successfully with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors.Case Reports in Nephrology.2021 Jan 6;2021:8862405. doi:10.1155/2021/8862405Tardif ML, Mahone M.Mixed connective tissue disease in pregnancy: a case series and systematic literature review.Obstet Med. 2019;12(1):31-37. doi:10.1177/1753495X18793484Squance ML, Reeves GE, Bridgman H.The lived experience of lupus flares: features, triggers, and management in an Australian female cohort.Int J Chronic Dis. 2014;2014:816729. doi:10.1155/2014/816729Hassett AL, Clauw DJ.The role of stress in rheumatic diseases.Arthritis Res Ther. 2010;12(3):123. doi:10.1186/ar3024Adamichou C, Bertsias G.Flares in systemic lupus erythematosus: diagnosis, risk factors and preventive strategies.Mediterr J Rheumatol. 2017;28(1):4-12. doi:10.31138/mjr.28.1.4Latuśkiewicz-Potemska J, Zygmunt A, Biernacka-Zielińska M, Stańczyk J, Smolewska E.Mixed connective tissue disease presenting with progressive scleroderma symptoms in a 10-year-old girl.Postepy Dermatol Alergol. 2013;30(5):329-336. doi:10.5114/pdia.2013.38365Scleroderma Foundation.Coping with scleroderma.The Myositis Association.Exercise and physical therapy.Arthritis.org.Understanding rheumatoid arthritis flares.
15 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Arthritis Society.Mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD).Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center (GARD).Mixed connective tissue disease.MedlinePlus.Raynaud’s phenomenon.Cleveland Clinic.Mixed connective tissue disease: causes, symptoms, treatment.National Organization for Rare Disorders.Mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD).Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center (GARD).Mixed connective tissue disease.Madieh J, Khamayseh I, et. al.Scleroderma renal crisis in a case of mixed connective tissue disease treated successfully with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors.Case Reports in Nephrology.2021 Jan 6;2021:8862405. doi:10.1155/2021/8862405Tardif ML, Mahone M.Mixed connective tissue disease in pregnancy: a case series and systematic literature review.Obstet Med. 2019;12(1):31-37. doi:10.1177/1753495X18793484Squance ML, Reeves GE, Bridgman H.The lived experience of lupus flares: features, triggers, and management in an Australian female cohort.Int J Chronic Dis. 2014;2014:816729. doi:10.1155/2014/816729Hassett AL, Clauw DJ.The role of stress in rheumatic diseases.Arthritis Res Ther. 2010;12(3):123. doi:10.1186/ar3024Adamichou C, Bertsias G.Flares in systemic lupus erythematosus: diagnosis, risk factors and preventive strategies.Mediterr J Rheumatol. 2017;28(1):4-12. doi:10.31138/mjr.28.1.4Latuśkiewicz-Potemska J, Zygmunt A, Biernacka-Zielińska M, Stańczyk J, Smolewska E.Mixed connective tissue disease presenting with progressive scleroderma symptoms in a 10-year-old girl.Postepy Dermatol Alergol. 2013;30(5):329-336. doi:10.5114/pdia.2013.38365Scleroderma Foundation.Coping with scleroderma.The Myositis Association.Exercise and physical therapy.Arthritis.org.Understanding rheumatoid arthritis flares.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Arthritis Society.Mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD).Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center (GARD).Mixed connective tissue disease.MedlinePlus.Raynaud’s phenomenon.Cleveland Clinic.Mixed connective tissue disease: causes, symptoms, treatment.National Organization for Rare Disorders.Mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD).Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center (GARD).Mixed connective tissue disease.Madieh J, Khamayseh I, et. al.Scleroderma renal crisis in a case of mixed connective tissue disease treated successfully with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors.Case Reports in Nephrology.2021 Jan 6;2021:8862405. doi:10.1155/2021/8862405Tardif ML, Mahone M.Mixed connective tissue disease in pregnancy: a case series and systematic literature review.Obstet Med. 2019;12(1):31-37. doi:10.1177/1753495X18793484Squance ML, Reeves GE, Bridgman H.The lived experience of lupus flares: features, triggers, and management in an Australian female cohort.Int J Chronic Dis. 2014;2014:816729. doi:10.1155/2014/816729Hassett AL, Clauw DJ.The role of stress in rheumatic diseases.Arthritis Res Ther. 2010;12(3):123. doi:10.1186/ar3024Adamichou C, Bertsias G.Flares in systemic lupus erythematosus: diagnosis, risk factors and preventive strategies.Mediterr J Rheumatol. 2017;28(1):4-12. doi:10.31138/mjr.28.1.4Latuśkiewicz-Potemska J, Zygmunt A, Biernacka-Zielińska M, Stańczyk J, Smolewska E.Mixed connective tissue disease presenting with progressive scleroderma symptoms in a 10-year-old girl.Postepy Dermatol Alergol. 2013;30(5):329-336. doi:10.5114/pdia.2013.38365Scleroderma Foundation.Coping with scleroderma.The Myositis Association.Exercise and physical therapy.Arthritis.org.Understanding rheumatoid arthritis flares.
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Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center (GARD).Mixed connective tissue disease.
MedlinePlus.Raynaud’s phenomenon.
Cleveland Clinic.Mixed connective tissue disease: causes, symptoms, treatment.
National Organization for Rare Disorders.Mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD).
Madieh J, Khamayseh I, et. al.Scleroderma renal crisis in a case of mixed connective tissue disease treated successfully with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors.Case Reports in Nephrology.2021 Jan 6;2021:8862405. doi:10.1155/2021/8862405
Tardif ML, Mahone M.Mixed connective tissue disease in pregnancy: a case series and systematic literature review.Obstet Med. 2019;12(1):31-37. doi:10.1177/1753495X18793484
Squance ML, Reeves GE, Bridgman H.The lived experience of lupus flares: features, triggers, and management in an Australian female cohort.Int J Chronic Dis. 2014;2014:816729. doi:10.1155/2014/816729
Hassett AL, Clauw DJ.The role of stress in rheumatic diseases.Arthritis Res Ther. 2010;12(3):123. doi:10.1186/ar3024
Adamichou C, Bertsias G.Flares in systemic lupus erythematosus: diagnosis, risk factors and preventive strategies.Mediterr J Rheumatol. 2017;28(1):4-12. doi:10.31138/mjr.28.1.4
Latuśkiewicz-Potemska J, Zygmunt A, Biernacka-Zielińska M, Stańczyk J, Smolewska E.Mixed connective tissue disease presenting with progressive scleroderma symptoms in a 10-year-old girl.Postepy Dermatol Alergol. 2013;30(5):329-336. doi:10.5114/pdia.2013.38365
Scleroderma Foundation.Coping with scleroderma.
The Myositis Association.Exercise and physical therapy.
Arthritis.org.Understanding rheumatoid arthritis flares.
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