Diagnosed with UCTD and frustrated by pain

Good morning.

I'm new to this sight and hoping to find the support I need while figuring out what's going on with me. Long story short...I was diagnosed with UCTD three years ago due to hair loss, muscle weakness and a +ANA. I was told to take NSAIDs and go about my way. I am a mother of 4 very active kids and decided to throw myself into them and not worry about the diagnosis. All seemed fine until little by little my body seemed to start breaking down (chronic tendonitis to elbows, shoulders, hip flexors, repeated injuries, weird rashes, sores on head and terrible pain & joint swelling in feet and hands). I went to a different Rheumatologist in October (I couldn't stand the first one) and she listened to my story, did an examine and more blood tests. She said all my physical symptoms point to RA (Which scares me to death because my maternal aunt died from complications of RA) but my rheumatoid factor is negative. My blood work suggests Lupus but I don't exhibit at least 4 of the key traits...therefore I was again diagnosed with UCTD.

I'm currently taking Plaquenil 200mg (1x/day) and Tramadol (50mg 3x/day). Very frustrated because i'm in constant pain...very debilitating at times and exhausted. It's making my life as a mother of four who also works part-time and likes to be active in fitness almost unmanageable. I know my family/friends are doing their best to be supportive but you can tell they just don't get it.

Have these medications worked for anyone else and how long did it take. Has anyone found that changes in diet (eliminating certain foods) has help.

Any advice is much appreciated because I'm miserable.

MommaSJ,
I had sever RA, but the regular RA blood screen did not show the RA factor. My rheumatologist had to use a different type of screening to get a proper diagnosis. Up until then I was diagnosed with everything from Lymes to Parvo!! I was finally able to get on Humira and a low dose of prednisone after trying the whole plaquinyl, methotrexate and all that was as required by insurance first. See if you can get your doc to check into a different type of screening to identify the RA. After getting on proper meds I was back at work, keeping up with my granddaughter and doing zumba! Hang in there but be your own best advocate. Best wishes!
Beth