How is Sjogren's Syndrome diagnosed?What is your story?

[june_jdr]

Sjogren's Syndrome can produce a variety of complaints. As a result, people with this disorder may need to see various medical proffesionals, such as their family doctor, rheumatologist, eye specialist, dentist or oral surgeon.

The main tests for Sjogren's Syndrome are:

Schirmer's test: a small piece of sterilised blotting paper is used to measure tear production.

Slit lamp examination: an ophthalmologist will place eye drop dye in the eye before examining the eye with an instrument called a slit lamp. This is a lamp which shines light through a very narrow slot. The beam produced allows the eye to be examined more effectively.

Measurement of saliva production; This can be measured by arranging for the patient to spit into a paper cup over a specfic period of time.

Blood tests: These are done because two antibodies are found more frequently in primary Sjogren's Syndrome than in other disorders. These are the antibodies known as anti-Ro and anti-La found in about 75% and 60% of people with primary Sjogren's Syndrome respectively.

Lip biospy: One of the tiny salivary glands can be removed very simply from the lower lip without the need for a general anaesthetic. The gland is than examined under a microscope to check the diagnosis.

Ultrasound scans and Magnetic Resonance Imaging: Untrasound scans and Maganetic resonance imaging (MRI) are sometimes used to help diagnose.

Has anyone any stories of how they were diagnosed?