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Janelle’s Story (MCTD)

Janelle's Story (MCTD)I was always a pretty healthy person except when it came to pregnancy. When I was pregnant with my first daughter I itched uncontrollably throughout my last trimester. She was born premature. Then after her birth my wrists hurt so badly. I remember holding a plate one day and my wrist giving out and the plate shattered.

During my second pregnancy again I itched, but only at dinner. She so was also born premature, only sooner. During this pregnancy they diagnosed me with ICP. The same thing happened when I was pregnant with my twins, only it happened during my entire pregnancy, and they were born even earlier.

In December of 2008, I was in so much pain that I could not lie down because my body hurt everywhere. They accidentally found a tumor on my kidney. In January of 2009, my hand and feet started turning purple. They diagnosed me with Raynaud’s phenomenon. I had my left kidney removed in May of 2009 because the tumor was cancerous. I thought life would go back to normal when the cancer was gone. I was wrong. I continued being in pain and turning purple. I got a weird rash on my face and went to see my doctor. I was there when he noticed I all of a sudden had an irregular heartbeat. He sent my to a rheumatologist who finally did some tests and diagnosed me with mixed connective tissue disease.

I miss the pain free days, the days when my hair was not falling out so bad that my scalp shows in some places, the days that my chest didn’t hurt every time I took a deep breath. I just want to be normal again. I thank god for my children because since the twins I have had three miscarriages.

Janelle
California
Submitted 05/07/2014

The informational content of this article is intended to convey a personal experience and, because every person’s experience is unique, should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional healthcare advice.

This story is intended to convey a personal experience and, because every person’s experience is unique, should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional healthcare advice.

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One comment

  1. denise

    Hi. Im wondering if theres anyway we can talk or text privately. I have had similar issues and my dr mentioned connective tissue. My son is one and has cancer. I feel for you. Just keep on keeping on girl.

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