Autoimmune diagnosis

[geraldine60]

Diagnosis anxiety

I have had various symptoms for months, including reflux,throat clearing, dryness and doctors thought Sjogrens, but not sure so waiting on Rheumatology. I have awful dry nose, use a lot of gel but also saline spray, does anyone know if this can worsen post nasal drip? Am worried about my lungs the most as I learned that lots of these autoimmune disorders affect them. Especially Sjogrens and Scleroderma, Sarcoidosis etc. I need more information about them.

[Hidden]

Do you have any symptoms of a respiratory problem or are you just worrying about the possibility? I frequent the NRAS board here as I have inflammatory arthritis, and you may find posting there more beneficial with regards to autoimmune disorders: although it’s called the National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society, there are lots of members (myself included) that post there without having RA. There are also a number of frequent posters with sjrogens and scleroderma, as well as a few members that developed respiratory issues either as a result of their R.D. (rheumatic disease) or from treating it. Although some people do develop respiratory issues as part and parcel of their R.D., usually in the form of a fairly wide variety of interstitial lung diseases, the two don’t always go hand in hand. The ILDs that can occur with autoimmune issues vary from relatively mild illnesses that spontaneously remit within a few years, through to severe diseases that reduce life expectancy: unless you currently have respiratory symptoms such as shortness of breath or a frequent, persistent (usually dry) cough, I’d be inclined to say wait until you’ve seen rheum and have a better idea of underlying diagnosis before worrying too much about that side of things. The caveat to that statement would be that both PND and reflux can also cause a dry cough, although it often tends to be noticeably aggravated by reclining or lying down in those instances. Have you had any autoimmune blood tests like ANA or ANCA done yet?

With regards to frequent throat clearing: both reflux and PND can also cause this. I have both, but throat clear chronically when my PND is particularly frequent/increased. Saline sprays are quite often advised for PND so no issue there, but my own experience is that anything that goes up my nose just ends up going down the back of my throat, including steroid sprays, and anaesthetic sprays I’ve had when they’ve scoped my nose to see what the situation was. I’ve yet to find anything at all that helps or works in relation to my PND, although even though it’s a relatively minor flaw, they think mine is originating from having a mildly deviated septum.

[Pippydo]

Morning, I was diagnosed with Sjorgrens about 25 years ago and up until recently I only had problems with dry eyes and salivary glands (one removed 20 years ago ). In December I discovered purely by chance that it was now affecting my lungs and after numerous scans and tests LIP was diagnosed and I was told my lungs were pretty bad with ground glass etc. Since then I’ve been on high dose prednisolone with lung tests every 3 months. I would recommend talking to your doctor and get things checked out if you are anxious. I’m still reeling a bit from it all and worry about the progression of it. I hope you find some answers but do talk to someone about your concerns.