UDCT - anyone out there

lifeasgift

New Member

Joined : Aug 2009

Posts : 2

Posted 2/5/2010 9:22 PM (GMT -8)

Hi everyone,

I have been diagnosed to have UDCT since last May. Anyone here has the same disease? I'd like to get some advices on how to control it and what i should not do...will this affect pregnancy?　I have seen two Reumies, but they tell different stories - one say (you can have a normal life), another one warned me not to work hard/emotional crashes/or being a mom....

I am happy to get to know this site! currently i am only on Plaquenil　400mg a day. what are you taking to control it? Hope to hear some experience. Thanks!

jhmom

Veteran Member

Joined : Oct 2004

Posts : 2244

Posted 2/6/2010 10:38 AM (GMT -8)

Hi Lifeasgift, welcome to the forum.

I have Lupus and work 4 days / 32 hours a week, recently cut from 5 days / 35 hrs a week which had me in a terrible flare. When I was first dx with UCTD (undifferentiated connective tissue disease) in 2004 I was put on Plaquenil and an anti-inflammatory (which I did not tolerate well at the time). The Plaq worked great for my fatigue and joint pain but alone it did not control everything. In 2005 when I was dx with Lupus by my 3rd rheumy she left me on Plaq and added Imuran, flexeril (a muscle relaxer), Piroxicam (anti-inflammatory) & folic acid for mouth sores. Over the next couple of years meds have been increased and we added Methotrexate for the joint pain.

Regardless of your dx, the important thing is you are being treated for your symptoms. Is the Plaquenil working well for you?

Keep us posted on how you are doing. Take care

dbab

Veteran Member

Joined : Jan 2004

Posts : 4151

Posted 2/7/2010 5:03 PM (GMT -8)

Hi and welcome,

I was also dx'd with UCTD before being dx'd with Lupus for about 5 years (beginning from my first symptoms). I had blood work that pointed to possible Lupus and Sjogren's but nothing concrete because my symptoms were too vague. It wasn't until I had organ involvement that I got my SLE diagnosis. With my UCTD dx, I was being treated with plaquenil also which I believe is very important and I think is wonderful that your doctor is doing. Some doctors will not do this even with a UCTD diagnosis so I'm glad that your doctor is being proactive. I was also being treated with prescription NSAID (Lodine) which I'm still on today.

Have you just started the plaquenil? The reason I ask is because its important to remember that it can take some time for it to take a full effect in your system and to control your symptoms. Sometimes for a few months so you may not think its working but you may have to give it time to work. If you have been on it a while and its still not cutting it, I would suggest talking to your doc because they may be able to add a NSAID or maybe even low dose Pred to help you out.

Welcome to the forum. :)

Des

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