MCTD has its own unique set of issues. I mean, do I have lupus, Sjogren’s, RA, asthma or something else? The answer is yes. Sjogren’s takes up 3 years to diagnose. Looking back, my symptoms began as a child and culiminated six years ago. But, each time, bandaids were put in place via medication. It has not been until these last few years did doctors look at the family, medical history and symptoms as a whole.
That is besides the point…I wanted to address a symptom that can be attributed to any one of the conditions I listed above. After some research, I am not any closer to an answer, but I am confident that I will survive.
For about 4 years now, every evening I have itchy legs. Sometimes it is so bad, I scratch them open. I first thought this was due to not shaving my legs every day. I figured oh, well. Deal with it. Then when I was diagnosed with unspecified celiac condition, I thought, great – No wheat, no itching. It did help and wheat is a major trigger. But, eventually the itching returned. I figured it was the excessive chlorine in the Hialeah water when I take a bath. I tried warm baths, hot baths and even tepid baths and showers to alleviate the itchy legs with a charcoal filter. No use. I have even gone completely organic for my body soaps and shampoos with non processed ingredients. Still itchy. The heavy steriods I was on last year at this time did lower the itching for quite a while. Now that I am down to 5 mg and trying to get back off, itching has returned. My sister even sent me a grounding kit to help with my symptoms. I will be honest, it has helped with my arthritus symptoms and I have not been as sick with the grounding daily. It has not helped with the itching.
I got fed up last week and decided to do some serious research on this. Some of my itching is allergy related and is greatly increased when I eat or interact with an irritant. But, the daily itching at a specific time of day is more related with auto immune disorders. I wish I had known this 4 years ago. It even goes along with diabetes (which I do not have, yet). The remedies vary, but mostly include steriods (which I am trying to get off of). Sjogren’s has the dry skin, so heavy creams help a little. I choose ones that are all natural (unprocessed oils) and chamomile or lavendar scented. Lupus has rashes in general and RA has psoriasis (another rash affliction). So, pick your problem, and it has a rash or itch to go with it.
What has started new is that when I do itch, where ever I itch, it gets bumpy like hives, Also, the itch is random and travels from part of my body to another instantly. I have been told that that is my body doing a nerve self check. I don’t believe that. One school of thought with regards to the auto immune disorder is that maybe I am always itchy, but in the evening when I relax, I notice it more and therefore distracted by it more.
I have also noted that work stress has started to make the rashes and itchies worse. Today my neck broke out in red and I felt like it had a 100 mosquito bites on it after being stressed by an event at work. I refused to scratch and it calmed down after I relaxed. I find that drinking plenty of liquids (I prefer tea with its natural respiratory affects) seems to help a little during the day.
I guess what I am stating is that if you are experiencing itching with MCTD, make a note of it, tell your doctor and take care of yourself.
Doing the anti-inflammatory diet has helped me immensely. It hasn’t helped the itching yet, but that may lessen as I continue to get rid of weight. I do notice that my hips don’t ache, my neck does not ache and I am not as puffy as I was a month ago. All I can say, is try it. You might just feel better. Do I miss these foods, heck ya! Some foods just taste better with tomatoe sauce, cream or peppers in them. But, I have found a new love in plain old fresh ground black pepper.
I am grateful to God for giving the courage of a friend to refer this diet to me. May you find your well spring of endurance with God and encouragement with friends.