Mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD) is a rare, complex condition that often involves overlapping autoimmune and inflammatory conditions, including lupus, scleroderma, and myositis. It can affect anyone, although research shows women are more likely to develop MCTD.
Symptoms include thickened skin, poor circulation, Raynaud’s phenomenon, muscle weakness, joint pain, digestive problems, and fatigue, among others. MCTD is incurable, because it always involves at least one incurable condition, for example, lupus. Because of this, treatments focus on symptom management, such as pain relief and steroids for maintaining healthy organ function.
Medical cannabis for mixed connective tissue disease could represent one way to manage symptoms more effectively, leading to an improved quality of life.
5 in 100,000
people in the UK may suffer from the rare overlap of conditions called mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD)
24.6%
of patients with mixed connective tissue disease experience joint pain and other painful, distressing symptoms
97%
of the 1,669 respondents to the largest survey of active UK medical cannabis patients ever conducted report an improved quality of life.
72%
of survey respondents are taking medical cannabis to treat multiple symptoms, similar to those caused by MCTD.
Symptoms
Anxiety caused by a complex, multi-system chronic condition
Chronic widespread joint and muscle pain
Depression due to the unpredictability of flare-ups and a lower quality of life
Gastrointestinal discomfort linked to systemic involvement
Inflammatory arthritis pain across multiple joints
Muscle weakness and myositis-related discomfort
Persistent fatigue tied to chronic autoimmune activity
Raynaud's phenomenon and associated discomfort
Skin tightness and discomfort due to scleroderma symptoms
Sleep disruption linked to pain and stiffness
Mixed connective tissue disease symptoms that medical cannabis may help manage:
Treatment options:
Standard mixed connective tissue disease treatments patients may have tried include:
Azathioprine
Biologic therapies in refractory cases
Calcium channel blockers for Raynaud's (e.g., nifedipine)
Corticosteroids (prednisolone)
Hydroxychloroquine
Methotrexate
Mycophenolate mofetil
NSAIDs
Physiotherapy and occupational therapy
Prescribed medical cannabis
Proton pump inhibitors for oesophageal involvement
Whether you’re new to cannabis-based medicines, switching from another medical cannabis clinic, or self-medicating, we’ll put you back in control of your health.
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“Mixed connective tissue disease can affect many parts of the body at once, causing symptoms like joint and muscle pain, rash or fatigue that can fluctuate over time and be difficult to manage.
Prescribed medical cannabis may be worth discussing alongside any existing treatments, due to its impact on symptoms like pain and sleep disturbance. However, it won’t work for everyone, which is why every patient needs to be looked at individually.”
Dr Mike Modestowicz
Consultant Neurologist
24. 04. 2025
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Mixed connective tissue disease is a rare and complex mix of various rheumatic or inflammatory tissue conditions. This includes lupus, scleroderma, and myositis, and symptoms similar to those associated with rheumatoid arthritis are common.
MCTD only affects about 5 in every 100,000 people, with current research showing that 87% of those are female. The number of cases of MCTD may be on the rise.
MCTD is an overlap of conditions, with many showing similar symptoms. Any of these symptoms should prompt you to seek medical attention, particularly where they persist for several days.
|
MCTD symptom |
How symptom presents |
Impact on quality of life |
|
Lupus |
Joint pain; skin rash; fatigue; hair loss |
Decreased mobility; loss of confidence; isolation; depression and anxiety |
|
Raynaud’s phenomenon |
Fingers are cold and may turn white, blue, or grey |
Reduced fine motor coordination; complexity of managing temperature and stress levels to reduce risk of triggering Raynaud’s can be stressful |
|
Scleroderma |
Thickening of the skin; shiny or discoloured skin; lung problems; digestive problems |
Impacts range from psychological, due to confidence and self-esteem issues, to life-threatening, where scleroderma affects internal organs like the lungs |
|
Myositis |
Muscle weakness and pain; skin rash; fatigue |
Inability to perform daily tasks; depression due to loss of independence |
|
Inflammatory arthritis |
Painful, swollen joints; swollen hands and fingers |
Difficulties using the hands; sleep disruption due to pain; depression due to ongoing pain and lower quality of life |
One of the reasons patients seek alternative treatments for mixed connective tissue disease is that conventional medications may have undesirable side effects. As every individual is different, some people may not experience side effects at all, while others might need to switch medications due to the severity of side effects.
|
Type of medication |
Potential side effects (varies from person to person) |
|
Corticosteroids |
Weight fluctuations; mood swings; digestive issues; sweating profusely |
|
Antimalarial drugs |
Skin rash; nausea; tinnitus; hair loss; headaches; digestive issues |
|
Calcium channel blockers for Raynaud’s |
Blood pressure fluctuations; palpitations; digestive issues; headaches; swollen ankles; fatigue; dizziness |
|
Physiotherapy |
No side effects as such, but benefits can be intermittent due to the inability to exercise |
|
NSAIDs – paracetamol, ibuprofen, etc. |
Digestive issues, stomach ulcers |
In contrast, out of 792 surveyed chronic pain patients who were prescribed medical cannabis, 88.8% reported no side effects at all.
Many people may find that taking THC or CBD for mixed connective tissue disease symptoms offers therapeutic effects. Treatments involving cannabis overlap connective tissue disease treatments from other sources, in many cases. It’s common to have a treatment plan that involves multiple therapies and medications, to help manage the complex and changing symptoms of MCTD.
Patient stories suggest that medical cannabis may offer therapeutic benefits for pain, sleeplessness, and coping with the mental load of complex, chronic illness. One patient said:
“I found that my medical cannabis oil really does help. In lots of ways. My sleep is better. It hasn’t been a monumental change, but definitely better. It’s better quality sleep, even if it’s still quite short some nights. More than that, I’m just dealing with life better than I have been in a long time.”
One of the reasons alternative treatments for mixed connective tissue disease include medical cannabis is because of cannabis’s impact on the endocannabinoid system. When in homeostasis, your internal systems are considered to be in balance, and a healthy endocannabinoid system contributes to this.
The endocannabinoid system is directly linked to the activity of the immune system, which is considered a major factor in MCTD.
The cannabinoids in medical cannabis, including THC and CBD, may have a positive impact on the endocannabinoid system. When considering CBD MCTD patients might find that the administration of this cannabinoid helps them feel calmer, less anxious, and sleep better.
When it comes to medical cannabis Raynauds MCTD symptoms could be alleviated by the administration of this alternative treatment. Limited research has been done in this area.
However, evidence suggests that CBD for mixed connective tissue disease symptoms like Raynaud’s can be effective for reducing the stress and anxiety that may be one trigger for the distressing symptoms. The NHS states that relaxing is one of the primary ways to avoid the symptoms of Raynaud’s phenomenon, and medical cannabis can contribute to a more relaxed state of mind.
A report in The Lancet examined the case of a young woman struggling daily with the pain of a complex connective tissue disorder. In this particular case, opioids had caused problems, including addiction. The report states that medical cannabis helped her manage her pain effectively for the first time in ten years.
Fibrosis is the thickening of skin and tissues, and is a key symptom of scleroderma, one of the overlapping conditions of MCTD. A 2021 review of research studies suggests that medical cannabis can help alleviate pain and inflammation, and could even slow the progression of fibrosis.
There are many symptoms and conditions medical cannabis can be prescribed for, including symptoms associated with MCTD. Medical cannabis may be prescribed in a number of ways, including:
Oils
Pastilles
Dried flower for vaporisers
Capsules
A clinician will work with you to figure out the best format and medical cannabis strains to support your treatment. Different strains offer a different balance of cannabinoids and terpenes.
THC for mixed connective tissue disorder may help with reduced pain and nausea, while CBD is more associated with relaxation and improved sleep. It’s important to note, though, that homeostasis, the improved state of balance within your endocannabinoid system, is best achieved with a blend of therapeutic compounds. Your clinician will ensure that your prescription offers the right balance to best alleviate your symptoms.
CBD and terpenes are some of the most commonly discussed compounds of medical cannabis. CBD for mixed connective tissue disorder may be taken as an oil or in a vaporiser, but will rarely offer the same holistic benefits as full-spectrum medical cannabis.
During your follow-up consultation, you can let your clinician know how you've responded to your treatment plan, so they can fine-tune your treatment as needed.
Many people are now eligible for medical cannabis treatment in the UK for a range of conditions, including mixed connective tissue disease, in some cases. Medical cannabis MCTD UK treatments can help alleviate pain, improve sleep, and elevate your quality of life when administered by a trained professional.
Releaf has a world-class clinical team with 50+ specialists, so when you book a consultation, you speak to a medical professional who truly understands your condition.
Many patients want to know how Releaf pricing works. It’s simple: Your initial consultation is £99, and if you’re prescribed medical cannabis for mixed connective tissue disease (or another condition), each prescription costs £19.99 on the Pay As You Go payment option, with a £4.99 delivery charge. Future consultations are charged at £69.99.
Releaf+ offers more flexibility for many patients. After the initial consultation, you pay £39.99 a month, which includes future consultation costs and discounted medication costs. Releaf+ patients can also take advantage of Releaf Protect, offering free legal advice on all aspects of medical cannabis.
All Releaf patients receive a UK medical cannabis card free of charge once the first prescription is paid for. Your card is delivered separately from your prescribed medication and can take 3-5 days to arrive. This medical cannabis card won't necessarily stop you from being questioned by the police. However, it can help you quickly identify yourself as a legal medical cannabis patient. Releaf also offers advice on when you should apply for travel certificates.
Releaf also offers a range of useful resources for anyone interested in medical cannabis for mixed connective tissue disease or other conditions. These include helpful articles on topics ranging from how medical cannabis works for neurological conditions, such as the neuropathic pain associated with MCTD, to the differences between indica vs sativa strains of plants.
Releaf is the most trusted UK medical cannabis clinic, offering support and symptom alleviation for a range of conditions, including MCTD. If you’re ready to join the 240,000+ strong Releaf community, find out if you’re eligible for medical cannabis for mixed connective tissue disease using the medical cannabis eligibility checker or contact our team.
MCTD is an overlap of these conditions, with any combination of these and other connective tissue disorders considered MCTD. Some of these conditions have similar symptoms, such as joint pain and fatigue. Others have specific symptoms that may require tailored treatment, such as the skin thickening associated with scleroderma.
Your Releaf clinician will carefully review any existing medications you’re taking, including both over-the-counter and prescription medications. They’ll let you know if it’s appropriate to take medical cannabis alongside your current treatment options.
Medical cannabis is taken for the purpose of symptom management. Your clinician will usually prescribe medical cannabis to address sleep disturbances, pain, or anxiety, rather than to have a direct impact on your immune system.
In many cases, yes. A highly trained medical professional will often help you find a strain of medical cannabis that offers the balance of therapeutic compounds that can address multiple symptoms.
Currently, medical cannabis is not recommended for anyone who is pregnant or trying to get pregnant. At your consultation, please let us know of any big life changes you’re planning, as this may impact your prescription.
