sjogrens and neuropathies - Lupus Message Board

purple2067 · 09-20-2003, 06:01 PM

Can sjogrens syndrome cause neuropathies???

The reason I ask is because in addition to the dry mouth and dry eyes, I have very very recently developed numbness and a lack of sensation on the right side of my mouth.
The best way to describe it is that it feels like I was injected with novocaine, and that it has started to wear off but isn't completely gone. The right side of my mouth is like this from the middle of my tongue, all the way to my palette and gums, as well as my teeth and cheeks. I can barely taste my food on thats side. This has been going on for about a week. My tongue is also white all over, but red at the tip. I went to the dentist two days ago and he said my teeth look great, and he doesn't see anything visibly wrong with my mouth. But he said that my tongue is probably white from dryness. Does that sound right????

I spoke with my rheumatologist over the phone several times, and he thinks that the lack of sensation in my mouth may have something to do with sjogrens, even though I have not been formally diagnosed yet. He said that sjogrens can cause neuropathies and other neurological problems. So he is sending me to a neurologist. But please, somebody give me another reason for this! I don't want to have any neurological problems! I am very scared!

Has anybody ever known this to be associated with sjogrens syndrome? Are neurological problems a part of the disease? I am only 22 years old, and I don't want to go through the rest of my life like this!!! Somebody please give me some answers!

09-22-2003, 05:16 PM

Hi Purple,

I hope you are feeling better soon. I have Sjogrens and have had the numbness sensation and alteration in taste you describe. I had facial nerve problems and was sent to the ENT specialist. You may want to see the doctor about that. Can you blink your eyelids?
NIAMS covers this in detail. I thought it was very interesting. Check it out. Scroll under kidney problems to nerve problems. [url="http://www.niams.nih.gov/hi/topics/sjogrens/index.htm"]www.niams.nih.gov/hi/topics/sjogrens/index.htm[/url]
Take Care,
Gemi

[This message has been edited by Gemi (edited 09-22-2003).]

purple2067 · 09-22-2003, 06:11 PM

Thanks Gemi. Yes, I can blink my eyelids. With my severe dry eyes, if I couldn't blink I would be in such a panic that they'd have to sedate me and tape my eyelids shut! LOL! The numbness is only inside of my mouth right now. It also seems to be slowly diminishing. I am noticing that I am starting to be able to taste things better again.