I was wondering could toxic chemicals be a factor in getting this diagnosis? One doctor I went to diagnosis was mixed connective tissue disease. I haven't been taking the meds because I'm afraid of them. But I'm also afraid I've results of not taking them. I'm afraid of the fear factor about the liver I do drink alcohol. I was wondering could it be linked Hodgkin's disease. I was diagnosed with that 20 something years ago and took a chemotherapy.