I do not know what frozen shoulder is? The only think I can think is when I turn my head or try to pick something up, but usually it's turning my head while lying down, and my shoulder/neck area will twinge and hurt so bad I can't turn it again normally for a couple of days. When it hits it flows through the shoulder. I hate that! There is nothing medicinally that will help it either! How did you figure out the white flour thing? Even with doing an elimination diet, I still can't figure stuff out. However I'm starting to think maybe it's overindulgence and not anything specific that is affecting me. Too much of a good thing... Either sugar, bread, so maybe flour...

The only thing I have found to affect me for sure is cleaning chemicals/scented hand soap. As soon as I use it my nose will stuff up and my eyes might water. I feel like I have an allergy to anything strongly scented. But it goes away quickly.

Hi, Geraldine. How are you feeling these days? I hope things are going well for you! I saw the rheumy who said I do not have MCTD. However, he honed right in on Sjogren's or toxic neuropathy. He ran a ton of blood tests and they all came back normal. My blood tests always come back normal with the exception of one slightly elevated ANA two years ago. He wants me to get a lip biopsy for Sjogren's and see a new neuro to track the progression of the PN and assess other issues, I think.

How have your varicose veins been lately? I hope they are doing better. I had to ditch the compression stockings because they were making my legs tingle like mad and it was driving me crazy! My varicose vein seems to come and go and bother me sometimes and disappear other times. It's very weird. I tried the Grapeseed Extract for it, but I think it aggravated it more than it helped. So I stopped taking that. Now I just deal with it. I'm not really sure what to do now. I am a bit concerned about the warmer weather coming soon and having to ditch jeans for shorts. What do you do in the summer time? Take good care, my friend!

What is "SFN"? I've lived in autoimmune-land for 8 years now but I'm not familiar with that abbreviation.

Actually, MCTD is one of those rare autoimmunes that's rather cut and dried. There's a specific test for it. (RNP, I believe?) I don't think that things morph into MCTD -- you either have it or you don't.

That said, there are so many of these diseases that are related and overlaps are common. I had a great rheumatologist when I first got sick but since I moved to a new city, I haven't gotten good rheumatology care. The rheum. in my new city was awful -- so awful that many people stopped going to him and he moved away!

I had all of my records sent to me from my former, excellent rheumy and I'm now having to do my own detective work when things get worse. Luckily, I have an excellent internist who is willing to go above and beyond her pay grade to help!

Hi, TeaTime! Welcome! SFN=small fiber neuropathy. I'm sorry you've had to deal with all of this autoimmune stuff for so long. I know it's a real pain in the ***. Trying to find a new doctor makes it even more difficult. Hopefully, you will find one you like in your new area. I'm not sure of any specific test for MCTD, but you may be correct. All I know is that all of the blood tests came back normal. Maybe that's why the rheumy said no to MCTD.