I have been on the Ms board with various symptoms. Yesterday I was the eye specialist to try and determine the cause of eye pain that is worse with light. The specialist discovered that I have dry eyes. When he perfromed the test, he discovered that I didn't even come close to passing. I was given drops and scheduled another appointment in two months. My Dr. ordered blood work last fall to determine if I showed any of the antibodies? for any autoimmune disorders. They came back normal.. My symptoms persist. Is it possible to have sjogrens syndrome an not show it in blood work? any input would be helpful.
Hi I am in the process of find out what is going on also. To answer your question, blood work can be negative and a lip biopsy is the only way to truly determine if you have sjogrens. I am seeing another neurologist next week and after that appointment I may take up the lip biopsy offer the rheumotologist made.
I was diagnosed years ago with sjogrens as a result of ruptured implants and being very ill. My diagnosis then was done with a schneers test. I also was diagnosed with a mixed connective tissue disease and fibromyalgia.
After my implants were removed, I was left with the fibromyalgia, reynauds and very dry eyes and mouth. I have been fine for 15 years. However, about 6 years ago, I started having horrible night sweats and shakes. I thought it was menopause but I don't think so now. 3 years ago I was injured at work and my problems really increased. I have bouts of weakness, tremors, aches, body cramping, chest pain, mitral valve prolapse, tacycardia, burning, tingling, electrical jolts, GI pain, bladder spasms,abnormal liver enzymes and 10 months ago lost the vision for a few minutes in one eye. This prompted brain scans and I have calcifications and abnormal brain shrinkage. I can't have a MRI so it is difficult to determine the causes. I now have a HMO and the doctors keep passing me around.
The rheumotolgist I saw the other day, said because my ANA came back normal I didn't have an autoimmune disease but like I said offered the lip biopsy. I started seeking information and read the lip biopsy if done correctly will give the answer. The dr had me open my mouth to see how long it took for saliva to fill up. It didn't happen. She is referring me to an opthamologist because over the counter tears are not working. I also use the night time tears in the form of a gel placed in the lower lid. My eyeball actually hurts because it gets so dry. My vision is blurry in the one eye and I don't read books anymore.
Like you I am wondering if I have m.s.or if my symptoms are from the sjogrens. Either can cause the brain findings and I read sjogrens can cause the bladder spasms.
I hope you find some answers out too.
Thanks for the response. I too have had various blood work done and everythign checks out normal. I see my neurologist in June. i hope he can give me some more answers or at the very least some options and a direction to take.
I use (Thera tears Sterilid) and a warm compress in the morning Cvs pharmacies has it. Then I use (Oasis tears plus) you buy this at the opthamoligist. I always felt as if I had an eye infection. only it wasn't after seeing three eye doctors he told me to use these. My eyes were very dry. I was misdignosed twice.
I hope this helps. please let me know if it does.
I Have very dry eyes! I have not been diagnosed with Sjogrens yet as my tests have come back negative. I am currently using Restasis. This morning I woke up with horrible eyes!! Dry.......yet running.....yet filled with a mucous like substance. I do not know what to think or where to turn???
You may have an infection and need to schedule an appt. with an opthomologist for the best care. I have severe dry eye disorder and my optho said absolutely do not use Restasis but Systane or other good artificial tears. He also inserted punctal/tear duct plugs which have pretty much resolved the dry eye. (I used to wake with my eyes almost sealed shut.) Using the computer a lot seems to aggravate the problem.
It was the eye doctor that prescribed the Restasis. You can't get it without a prescription. I also use Optive drops and another one which does not have any preservative in it. My doctor said they feel this way because they are dry. He has talked about the punctal plugs as well but I am trying to hold off. Thank you for your help.
