Do I have Sjogren's Syndrome?

[Bandittabby]

Has anyone on this site been diagnosed with Sjogren's Syndrome? I have always been told that my very dry eyes are due to Graves Disease. However I have recently been suffering with a really dry mouth, which has woken me several times at night to drink some water. I googled the symptoms and came up with this Syndrome, have any of you had a similar experience?

[Nanaedake]

Dry mouth can be caused by a range of factors of which Sjogrens is only one possibility. Dry eyes can be caused by a range of factors too. Are you under your local eye hospital or eye department? If not, then you could ask for a referral to assess your dry eye. Your GP could do an evaluation for dry mouth. It may or may not be connected to dry eye.

[Fruitandnutcase in reply to Nanaedake]

I agree with Nanaedake. Dry eyes and dry mouth could both be caused by lots of things and yes u really need to be properly tested before coming to a decision.

I’m in remission from Graves and have very, very dry eyes. Dry eyes are much more uncomfortable than you could ever imagine them to be so it could just be that.

One rheumatologist I saw - I’ve got inflammatory arthritis- wrote to my GP saying he felt I might be developing Sjorgens but as my mouth is only ever dry if I sleep with my mouth open when my sinuses are bad I doubt if it is that.

Definitely go and speak to your GP tell him about your dry mouth and ask to be tested for Sjorgen’s and anything else that has you needing a dr8nk in the middle of the night.

In the meantime make sure you are putting your eyedrops in regularly throughout the day - not just once or twice. You almost have to go for overkill with dry eyes. It’s also worth paying for for preservative free eye drops something like HycoSan or Theoloz Duo.

An eye bag that you microwave then put over your eyes while you lie down or even just a face cloth soaked in hot water and squeezed out then held over your eyes will feel good.

[milkwoman]

I have (secondary) Sjogrens. I also have lupus and am hypothyroid. I was diagnosed with Sjogrens based upon the presence of the anti-Ro (SS-A) antibodies as well as a positive ANA and rheumatoid factor. (Positive Anti-Ro (SS-B) antibodies also indicates Sjogrens).

My ophthalmologist confirmed my dry eyes with several tests.

When I was first diagnosed my mouth wasn’t so bad. I find as time goes on, my mouth gets very dry at night. Biotene mouth rinse and gel helps. Sometimes my upper palate will become inflamed. I have to be very careful as to not injure or burn my mouth as I then will develop painful sores that are slow to heal.

I use preservative free drops daily in my eyes but there are times they get so dry I get headaches. My meibomian glands also get clogged so I use warm compresses daily and massage my eyelids to unclog them.

Since you have Graves (which is autoimmune hyperthyroidism) it would not be uncommon for you to have other AI related conditions such as Sjogrens.

Your doctor can run blood tests to see if you have Sjogrens.