Possible Sjogren's Syndrome? List Of Symptoms ...

I have had chronic bronchitis/sinusitis for years.
Had sinus surgery due to level of sinus issues.
I don't get a cold, I get bronchitis - pneumonia/pleurisy, etc.
I have cold sores on my lips often.
In june I was diagnosed with an eye ulcer - I have never had any problems with my eyes. Ophthamalogist did test and said my tear ducts have stopped working.
I have blurred vision and my eye sight is deteriorating.
Exhausted
Joint paint
Tingling toes and fingers
Migraines for years
CT of chest shows enlarged lymph node in lower right pre tracheal region 2.5x1.4x0.8 and they want to do another ct in march
sore throat and coughing they just prescribed prilosec for acid reflux and although I've never had heart burn or anything like it, it's working....
I have testing borderline positive for lupus one time and negative the next. 1:80 Homogeneous Pattern
RA factor was -9.0
Igg subclass 3 LOW at 21 everything else normal
No lyme disease
White blood count tends to be a little high
Seg tends to be at about 80%
Lymph tends to be low
SED rate was elevated
CPK was normal

First appt with rheumatologist on the 24 of Feb. any thoughts on what this could be? Sjogren's seems close but I have no dry mouth Would really appreciate it.

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Sjogren's Syndrome :: Symptoms Fluctuation With Menstrual Cycle?

Has anyone found their symptoms fluctuate with their menstrual cycle?

Mine seem to somewhat improve towards and during menstruation.

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Sjogren's Syndrome :: Hormone Replacement Therapy Increases Symptoms (dry Eyes)?

Has anyone heard that HRT increases SS symptoms? I'm on a HRT in the form of a low dose patch. I've been experiencing dry/irritated eyes and read that HRT can make your eyes dryer in addition to the other risks associated w/SS.

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Diet / Nutrition :: Chinese Food Makes Me Sleepy

I usually don't eat chinese food, mainly because my stomach HATES it. But, it does taste good, so last night I decided to get some.

My sleep schedule is a bit messed up right now, so I woke up at around 4pm, and got my Chinese at 6pm, so I literally had only been awake for about 2 hours. I got Sesame Chicken with some white rice, but ended up not really eating the rice.

After a few bites, I realized I was extremely tired. Like, I could've fallen asleep eating. I ate until I was satisfied, but really, that wasn't much, not even half of what I got. I put my chicken away, then went back to playing video games, and fell asleep while playing. It was only for about an hour, but still, It was weird.

This afternoon, I woke up, got myself my leftovers, heated them up, and again, a few bites in, and i'm practically asleep.

Is there something in Chinese food that makes people tired?

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Diverticula With Gastric Bypass - Diet Advice?

I have been diagnosed with Diverticular Disease but I get a lot of pain in my right side' also at the bottom of my tummy it feels like I have pebbles rolling around. I have also had a gastric bypass 5 years ago so eating bran is something I can't do and to be honest don't need as I go too much as soon as I eat I am in the loo and I am so scared when I go out because I know if I get a little anxious I need the loo and I won't eat out because of the same reason. It feels my life revolves around the loo day and night and I am getting so drained and tired by it all. Can anybody help please my doc don't seem to know what to do Thanks for reading x

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Polymyalgia Rheumatica - What Is The Real Cause And Diet Advice?

I am taking one 5mg Prednisolone every morning.  The shoulder pain is now bearable and goes after about an hour. I have no problem with swimming - no pain at all and the sauna is bliss! My beany bag is indispensable   and very comforting if the shoulders ache during the evening.

What is the real cause of this ailment?  Stress?  My GP has put me on to Mindfulness and I am going to to go in for meditation as I am sure it will help.

What about diet? I have stopped drinking tea and coffee and do not touch alcohol.  A friend has recommended red vegetables ...

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Acid Reflux - Diet / Food Advice?

I had another bad night's sleep last night even though i took my medication before i went to bed at midnight. At about 6pm I had my last meal which was Ham off the bone new potatoes and baked beans.I later had a cup of tea and later still some Wine Gums as a sweet treat. So in your experience I am i correct in assuming that it was the ham that caused my problem rather than the other things I ate. By what I have read I think I am lucky in what problems I am having compared to many of yourselves but it seems to me that as time is going on my illness is getting worse.

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Arthritis :: Enbrel - Side Effects? Diet Advice?

I am about to start Enbrel. I know it's been about for a while, but could anyone tell me what to look out for. What side effects have people had with it? Does it affect your hair? Do you need to watch what you eat and drink? I have had Psoriatic Arthritis for 7 years now and tried everything! Recently had bad flares with skin and joints, so consultant has suggested I try the biologics. Starting Enbrel next week.

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Chronic Fatigue Syndrome :: POTS With Sjogren's Syndrome

I have Primary Sjogren's Syndrome but was born Hypermobile. It was only after my present Rheumatologist diagnosed that I have scoliosis that I started to research. I found the Beighton Scale and the Brighton criteria which I match completely. I explained my research to my consultant and she agrees. However while she and another consultant both agree I do have POTS so far I don't have an appointment to see anyone to help me. I have had ECGS and a bubble ECG but they have been taken while lying down. Now the POTS I really noticed post the birth of my last son 29 years ago is getting much worse, can anyone advise me as it has taken decades to get this far, I don't feel time is on my side

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Sjogren's Syndrome :: (sicca) Syndrome And Dry Eyes

Having been officially diagnosed with Sjogren's syndrome about a year ago, I think back on ALL the diagnoses I have had related to it: "nutcracker esophagus and severe GERD", "esophageal spasms", polyarthritis, fibrotic lymph nodes, fibromyalgia, Prinzmetal angina, benign parotid tumor excision (trabecular adenoma), dry skin, dry mucous membranes, etc. and now know they are all part of the same syndrome, which has been steadily worsening and becoming more malignant (and I am only sixty). There are many other more serious difficulties, but now I'm wondering if I, too, will get non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, since that is what some people progress into. It is NOT that this frightens me at all--but now there is something of which to be aware (and I'm not certain my M.D. knows of this). I also have glaucoma and cataracts--so I really have to protect my eyes (and I have had a vitreous bleed into one of them).

My ophthalmologist (a retinologist) placed upper and lower tear duct plugs in my eyes--which has helped, but I still have to use lubrication. Since I am a writer and use the computer extensively, I find it quite hard on the dry eyes. I am extremely careful to drink lots of water and often mix pure fruit juice with my water to avoid calories (sugar) and to make the water more interesting. This does, however, exacerbate my stress incontinence gained after fracturing my back--for which I stay close to a toilet (but my writing is done at home.)

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Fibromyalgia Syndrome :: Lyrica Makes Me Tired

I got to see my RA again this Friday , he decided that I am in pain because tramadol is not enough during the day. So he wants me to take Lyrica during the day. I have been and it might be helping 10 percent but makes me want sleep and makes it hard to think. I have even stuttered a few times. My husband is sick of it , I am suppose to be ready to intern this Wednesday ,everyday til December 12th . I barely can walk for a few minutes, before I do the 90 year old walk. My husband is taking me to a pain management clinic, to help me out of pain. I would love to be out of pain and normal, but lets face it I am not too excited on treating the pain and not the problem. I don't take medicine, until now and everything I try I have the low percent chance of the side effects. I DON'T want a pain clinic, but I want to be done with this misery.

Update from yesterday , I woke up and my rear felt as if I had fallen . It felt bruised , it's not. Then I noticed my underarms are sore too. My hubby says that I didn't fall. However, I have been found to up in the middle of the night cleaning, my husband putting me back to sleep. I don't recall any of it in the morning. What can I DO ?

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Sjogren's And ADD - Both Have Same Symptoms

Around the same time I was diagnosed with Sjogrens; I was also diagnosed with ADD. And I have been taking adderall for it. But, I have been wondering could the symptoms I have for ADD (restlessness, unable to focus, forgetfulness, and confusion) be from Sjogrens? My rheumatologist is thinking about changing things around. But, I wanted to see if anyone else has had similar experiences; before I start messing with different medications.

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Sjogren's Symptoms Vs. Multiple Sclerosis

I just want a little input from people who have a sjogren's diagnosis. I have a lot of symptoms that my Dr first thought were from MS. I've had all the tests and that's been ruled out. I've had a low positive RA factor for years so the neurologist sent me to a rheumatologist. He thought without swollen joints and no treatment for years after dx that it's not RA. He did more bloodwork and xrays of my hands, feet and chest. I go back to see him Aug 6, so no info yet. My question is do you have these same symptoms? Leg pain, tingling in legs feet and hands, can't tolerate heat, migraines, brain fog, itchy rash on my chest and arms, Epstein Barr virus, leg cramps, b12 and vit d deficiency that I'm taking shots and supplements for and extreme fatigue.

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Dentures Due To Sjogren's Syndrome?

My dentist told me today that I need upper dentures due to Sjogren's Syndrome. Has anyone else had to get dentures and how did you deal with it?

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Sjogren's Syndrome :: Sea Buckthorn Oil?

Anybody tried it? I've just started. I'd been reading up on it on-line for some time. It's supposed to be the bee's knees for the whole sicca syndrome, and dry eyes in particular. As I was due to spend a few days in London last week, I debated getting some, but decided it was too expensive.

Then fate took a hand. As I haven't had dry eyes for months now, I didn't take my eye drops with me. That's the trouble with remissions - you forget you've got the wretched condition and get cocky! First night in the place where I stay it was a bit stuffy, so I turned on the air-conditioning for half an hour. One of those individual ones that blows air out fiercely however low you set it. I sat up in bed, facing it, watching the TV for just half an hour before going to sleep, but that was enough. I managed to get replacement eye drops the next morning, but now I'm in big trouble. Decided to invest in the sea buckthorn oil anyway, and have now been taking it for a week.

They say you're supposed to take four capsules a day for the first two weeks then cut down to two, but I'm being careful. Took one a day the first week, will start on two tomorrow and build up to four by the end of the month. I once had a terrifying experience on a low starter dose of Siberian ginseng. Just because something is "natural" doesn't mean it won't harm you!

Sea buckthorn is also said to be good for RA. The main ingredient is Omega 7, btw, but it also has Omega 3, 6 and 9 - though a different type of Omega 3 than fish oil. I'll be interested to see how that works out. I'm actually having an RA flare-up at the moment, but it seems to have peaked since I started my usual homeopathic treatment a few weeks ago. As I'm taking the oil alongside the homeopathic remedies, that will muddy the waters, of course. But I'll stay on the homeopathy for six months because it always works.

I hear you have to wait three months for Omega 7 to kick in, so I may be in for the long haul with the dry eyes. My right eye is already starting to bleed from a crack at the outer corner. We're having high winds here at the moment, which isn't helping things, particularly as my hips and knees have now improved enough to stand a 45-minute walk most days. I finally caved in today, and put on my wrap-around industrial goggles (provided by an optician in the UK). But I feel a right berk wearing them when walking around city streets - especially as it's not considered rude to stare in this country!

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Biotene Really Enough To Contain Sjogren's Syndrome?

My mother has been diagnosed with Sjogren's syndrome. Her main symptom is dry mouth and someone recommended us product called Biotene. Is Biotene really enough to contain this syndrome?

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Sjogren's Syndrome :: Often Bladder Infections

I get bladder infections quite often. For the last year I've had 6. I get very sick with them. I run a high fever and am in alot of pain. They last for a couple of weeks. I have to take antibiotics for them and worry about having to take so many. Does anyone else experience this problem or have any suggestions?

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Sjogren's Syndrome? Dry Eyes Are The Only Symptom I Have

I have had dry eyes for about 2 year now (I also had lasik in 2005).  Within the last 4 months my have have gotten really dry.  I have all 4 tear ducts plugged and I am on Restasis.  I also use sclera lenses (more for vision but also helps the dry eye).  My eye dr said he thinks I may have Sjogren's  even though I have never has a Schirmer's test (I am not sure how accurate that would be since i have had lasik anyway). tested positive for ANA 1:80 titer with homogeneous pattern but negative for RF and SSa and SSb.  Should I pursue this further?  Dry eyes are the only symptom I have.

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Sjogren's Syndrome? Depression Is A Symptom?

I was wondering whether depression is actually a symptom of this illness. I understand that it is natural to feel depressed when receiving a diagnosis of chronic illness, but my current mental state feels like something much more insidious and severe. I have never felt depressed in this way before, even when I got a diagnosis of another painful AI condition 8 years ago. I also know that mental stress can negatively impact symptoms so it is vital to 'feel better' quickly in order not aggravate the condition. I am not sure how to start to do this and wonder whether systemically something is going on that is affecting my brain chemistry to feel this bad.

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