what do I do now? Sjogrens labs - Immune Disorders Message Board

sandrae · 05-10-2004, 02:03 PM

I have had bloodwork drawn twice for Sjogrens. i just had a lip biopsy done on Thursday and awaiting results. the blood work had an ANA 1:80 and nothing else. On April 5th of this year (2004) I had extremely dry eyes and within two days dry mouth. It came on suddenly. This came on in two days and I had no symptoms beforehand. no aches or pains. I was diagnosed with Hashimotos on 3/31/04. I have been treated and now my TSH is normal. Has anyone with Sjogrens had it come on this suddenly? Thanks.

Suecat3 · 05-11-2004, 11:31 AM

I have Sjogren's (and SLE) and can tell you that I've never had dry eyes or mouth! I guess it can affect everybody a little differently and take a different course with each person. I guess I'd just sit tight and wait for the results of your lip biopsy. If it comes back negative, ask your doctor what else might cause the symptoms you are having. Good luck!

sandrae · 05-12-2004, 09:45 AM

Thanks. I'll take it one day at a time and pray for good day every day.

05-12-2004, 02:46 PM

It did not happen suddenly w/me. Salagen has helped me a lot to relieve dry mouth. There are homeopathic remedies I've read about but am happy with the Salagen. I gargle with Biotene. I've tried their toothpaste and should get back to using it. When I'm at the dentist I'm going to ask for the coating, I need it to protect the teeth. I take medications that happen to be more drying to to eyes and mouth so have to be more vigilant with caring for the fangs lol. Biotene balances enzymes in the mouth & Soothes irritated dry mouth. I like Allergan preservative free drops. Have the plugs. Eye doc gave me Restasis to try. I started it and it burned. It's expensive so have not used them the way I should. I'm going to start that up again because of the infection in the one eye that persists.

05-12-2004, 02:59 PM

ps-I had a positive low titre ana twice, a reflexive pannel was unrevealing. I was dxd w/mild graves (if there is such a thing) they found the same time frame as ss, fm and endometriosis then breast stuff 6 months later. In that sense it felt like all at once (in between the facial weakness, 1st time found tick on dog that day, tested dog for lyme, she was okay. Had suppressed tsh w/normal t values intermittant, took tapazole one yr. About a yr later, started feeling symptoms again, ps t's were up and tsh was normal and then normal/rising (for me). Labs were abnormal, hematologist said normal for a person w/inflammatory conditions, I had 16/17 IOP that went down after started restasis for a few weeks. The palpebral is swelling again so need to start up the restasis and stick w/it (it's expensive). If I did not have a prescription plan, I'd be in trouble. Did I help here at all? I don't think so. A new rheumy thinks it's neural (said lip biopsy is needed for diffinative). I'm glad they sent you for that. To treat you right they have to know. I will be really po'd if I find out they were not giving me the right treatment. It sounds like they are doing what they should. I'm seeing a neuro, pulmo and rheumy. Good luck! Please let us know how it turns out...