Mixed Connective Tissue Disease

What started as a simple visit to the Doctor in August for joint pain and excessive thirst has finally brought be answers. When I first approached Dr. Busk with these really random things that didn't seem like such a big deal, I never thought that it would include MULTIPLE blood tests, X-rays, and a Bone Marrow Biopsy. I don't think Dr. Busk even thought that my little aches and pains would be anything major... At first he suggested that it was weight and physical ability related. Alas, when the first set of blood tests showed a low white count and an elevated Rheumatoid factor he decided that there really could be something wrong with me. He suggested Lupus; I suggested Sjogren's Syndrome. WELL. I was partially right. More blood tests, nerve function tests, and x-rays allowed the Rheumatologist to pull everything together as Mixed Connective Tissue disease. Turns out this autoimmune disease "mocks" parts of other autoimmune diseases like Sjogrens, RA, Raynauds and Lupus. So..... I don't actually have any of these diseases, just the symptoms associated with them. So, I now know why my arms turn purple when I'm cold, and red when I'm warm....why I'm thirsty all the time....Why my joints hurt....Why I get so tired so easily.... Why my Blood levels are off.... That it's not really all in my head.... But the best news EVER???? It's not Lupus...nor Cancer! A few pills every day will hopefully have me moving and feeling better than ever.... At least til I can start the more intense medications when I return from Indonesia, Cambodia, and the other Pacific Islands later this Summer.