Sicca Symptoms

[vicky_24]

Hi there everyone,

I recently went to a rheumatologist because my GP suspected sjogrens syndrome, as far as I know the blood tests are not back yet but from what I have read they aren't 100% for diagnosing sjogrens anyway. The reason for my post, I had the letter back from their department and it says on it in the "diagnosis section" - sicca symptoms. This has left me a little confused, so is the rheumatologist saying that I have sjogrens or not? I was also told I have joint hyper-mobility spectrum disorder but im not sure how much this affects (beighton score of 8/9 but about a year ago I started with spasmodic dysphonia possibly caused by this but not 100% sure).

Any advice would be really helpful just hate how doctors don't seem to clarify anything they just leave you with more questions.

Thank you.

[socalgord]

Having sicca symptoms means that you have dry eyes and/or mouth, but it does not indicate what the cause of those symptoms are. There are many potential reasons for having sicca symptoms, of which Sjogrens is one. Diagnosis of Sjogrens is (typically) dependent on clinical signs (sicca symptoms) AND blood and/or biopsy results.

[vicky_24 in reply to socalgord]

Thank you so much for your reply. The clarity is so helpful x

[DBENNETT34 in reply to vicky_24]

I have dry eyes and mouth when more normal otherwise it is dripping from end of nose or just constsntly hyper saliva snd mucus. That is what they dont understand how painful. This is it hurts all the waking hrs sny suggestions sre helpful

[vicky_24 in reply to DBENNETT34]

All I was told is that if I don't come back as positive for Sjogren syndrome then all they will do is treatment the symptoms individually (so drops for eyes, sprays or artificial saliva for mouth and so on). If you have painful eyes I would defo see an optician as for the mouth is the pain is ur mouth or in the jaw around ur ears?? if its around there you could have a block saliva gland one min its fine then nothing and that can cause a lot of pain.. all I was told is to try warm compress to try and get saliva flowing again. Pain meds are all well and good for some people but I find the short term relief is not worth the mountain of side effects - sorry couldn't be more helpful