I am 36 and have been running a lowgrade fever for months on and off. Sometimes it goes up to 101. Along with this I have severe hip pain, joint pain, Lumpy fatty nodules in abdomin. Doc says it s fat. I'm 5'4 and weigh 125lbs active...in shape. I have had constant pain under my left rib for months getting worse and now in my back. Pain in my bones all over..can't lay on my right side feels like I pulled a muscle in my arm. My left tonsil is swollen...morning flem for months. Lymphnodes sore and achy. I hate not feeling well I am an active mother of two young children. I have had CT scan, Bone scan, upper gi, sonogram of gall bladder, x-rays hip, ribs, all normal except abnormal assymetrical subcutaneous fat and possible lipomas....scar tissue in bladder. I am flipping thinking it is something more like lymphoma or something. I did test 181 on shjogrens(0-99) being normal. I usually drink 2-3 glasses of beer or wine at night. Any suggestions on where to look next...and what about this tonsil thing. I had a sore throat for two days ...it has been 2 weeks and it is still swollen.

I am sorry you do not feel well. I did a search on sjorgen's syndrome and it is a moisture disease. please do a search on google.com and type in sjogrens for results. Do you have dry eyes? Problems with your teeth/saliva? From my research I have found this for you and wish you much luck and healt****

Early diagnosis and treatment are important for preventing complications. The symptoms of Sjögren's syndrome may overlap with or “mimic” those of other diseases including lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, and multiple sclerosis. Furthermore, dryness can occur for other reasons, such as a side effect of medication like anti-depressants or high blood pressure medication.

Additionally, because all symptoms are not always present at the same time and because Sjögren's can involve several body systems, physicians and dentists sometimes treat each symptom individually and do not recognize that a systemic disease is present. The average time from onset of symptoms to diagnosis is over six years. Rheumatologists have primary responsibility for diagnosing and managing Sjögren's syndrome.

Once Sjögren's syndrome is suspected, a physician will request a series of blood tests, including:

ANA (Anti-Nuclear Antibody)
ANAs are a group of antibodies that react against normal components of a cell nucleus. About 70% of Sjögren's patients have a positive ANA test result.


SSA and SSB
The antibodies SSA (or RO) and SSB (or LA) are often found in Sjögren's syndrome; 70% of patients are positive for SSA and 40% are positive for SSB.


RF (Rheumatoid Factor)
This antibody test is indicative of a rheumatic disease. In Sjögren's patients, 60-70% have a positive RF.


ESR (Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate)
This test measures inflammation. An elevated ESR can indicate an inflammatory disorder, including Sjögren's syndrome.


IGs (Immunoglobulins)
These are normal blood proteins. They are usually elevated in Sjögren's.
The physician is likely to refer the patient to an ophthalmologist for further tests and to an oral pathologist or dentist for additional procedures.

The ophthalmologic tests include:

Schirmer Test
Measures tear production.


Rose Bengal and Lissamine Green
Uses dyes to observe abnormal cells on the surface of the eye.


Slit-Lamp Exam
Indicates the volume of tears by magnifying the eye and viewing it in its resting state.
The dental tests include:

Parotid Gland Flow
Measures the amount of saliva produced over a certain period of time.


Salivary Scintigraphy
Measures salivary gland function.


Sialography
An x-ray of the salivary-duct system.


Lip Biopsy
Used to confirm lymphocytic infiltration of the minor salivary glands.