What Is M.C.T.D.  ?

According to Websters Medical Dictionary, in the simplist of terms; Mixed Connective Tissue Disease is "a syndrome characterized by symptoms of various rheumatic disease (as systemic lupus erythematosus, scleroderma and polymyositis) and by high concentrations of antibodies to extractable nuclear antigens."

Given the length of information to explain what it is, I have tried to simplify this as much as possible.  To the right of the page you will find links to pages about some of the various diseases that MCTD includes.  There are also links to various medical websites including The Arthritis Society Canada, MERCK and the Mayo Clinic which go into great depth about what this illness is and how it effects someone who has it. 

Please also note that it does have effects on people other than just the physical side of things.  Many people are fine one day and feel poorly the next.  Many battle with feelings of inadaquacy, desires to be "normal", and depression.  some also battle daily symptoms of extreme fatigue and "brain fog".  Every person is different as it is a disease that varies patient to patient and even month to month how patients can feel.