Sjogrens Syndrome

[Alfryd]

Hello, don't write often but read everyday and am wondering if anyone on the list has Sjogren's. This is my newest problem. I have been suffering with my eyes for some time and everyone was telling me it was allergies as the pollen count was quite high here in Florida. However I was allergy tested and aside from a slight reaction to dust mites, I did not test positive to any of the local pollen. I have read that when you get one autoimmune disease, you can expect others. So far this year I was hospitalized for the flu, and had two skin cancers removed. Now my eyes. Wondering if anyone else suffers from this problem.

[venezia1]

Hi - I've haf Sjogren's for years, following on from RA and GCA. Ir's annoying but mostly manageable with eye drops. My biggest problem with it is dry mouth - the prescribed sprays are revolting.

[SheffieldJane]

Hi Alfryd, I am sorry that you have had such a rotten time of it lately. Life seems to throw a whole bunch of things at us at once. I do share some of the symptoms of Sjögren’s Syndrome such as the sensitive dry eyes and a very dry mouth, only during the night, when trying to get to sleep. I haven’t had it diagnosed separately. I do use dry eye, artificial tears, eye drops and have a dry mouth spray on prescription, although more expensive alternatives seem better when I try them. I also have Graves Disease (Thyroid) so I think you are right. They are all part and parcel of the body’s faulty immune system. My PMR was diagnosed in May 2016. I am tapering to 6.5 mgs of Prednisalone. I hope that you turn a corner with your health soon. I have made a lot of changes to my life, especially actively avoiding stressful situations and people, also accepting that things are always going to be less than perfect. I have hopes that these revelations coupled with plenty of sleep and a good diet will set me on the road to a more balanced healthy life.

[Hidden]

I lived in Florida for 30 years and although I was not officially allergic to them, the Melaleuca trees blooming killed me a few times a year... Don't they flower in early spring? : (

[Mrsd12f]

Hi, Alfryd, I've got it, too! Only realised I had it when the bloods were first done for PMR, so I can't say it's affected me too much, except I do wonder whether the tiredness I've always had was due to undiagnosed Sjögrens. As with the others who've replied, it's really only the dry mouth at night, that affects me and I didn't suffer with that, pre-Pred, so suspect the Pred has a hand in it, too.

I've found Xylimelts (I'm sure that other products are available) to be quite helpful. You should be able to get them online. Good luck!

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Do you have the Sjogren's antibody in your blood? You can have the dry eye symptoms without it being full-blown Sjogren's.