Hi, Everybody!
During my fabulous run with MCTD/SLE, I've had bouts of pluerisy and percarditis, but now I seem to have developed the triple whammy: serositis.
I've seen my rheumy, and I've upped my prednisone and naproxen, and added protonix for my tummy, but as I wait for this flare to die down, I can't help but get scared sometimes.
If you have the time, it would be extremely comforting to know if you've felt like I have/do. Boy would I appreciate hearing from others!
At least twice in the past two weeks I honestly thought I was having a heart attack, and I even washed up and prepared a bag to go to the ER, but I ended up just toughing it out at home. I have bouts of upper abdominal pain that are so bad, I can't eat. I am not exagerating. Only soup and smoothies for me, and even those don't always go down OK. Lastly, having an extended converstaion with anyone right now is impossible, as talking leaves me gasping for breath. (So does eating, actually.)
These symtoms seem to be growing less severe, but again, it sure would be comforting to know that everything I mentioned above seems is in keeping with what others have experienced with a diagnosis of serositis.
Rheumy says we may run a stress test next week. I wonder if I should also ask her for a referral to a G.I. doc. Rheumy says that if prednisone can't get this udner control we will switch to methotrexate, which I used to be afraid of, but now I just want relief. 
And, frankly, I want to EAT!
I thank you in advance for any experiences that you may be willing to share.