Sky, I don't know how it works in CAN, in the US, at least in my experience, with our wonderful system of managed medicine, we can only see specialists - love that extra specialist co-pay. So my internist turned me over to a Rheumatologist. He's cute and he genuinely seems to care. He's young, he'll be jaded soon enough. I don't know of any Sjogren's Specialist. As it takes, on average, six years for a Dx, and I only self Dx'd myself after watching "Mystery Diagnosis", that's when I demanded the test, they can only manage the symptoms. It's not like Lyme that will go away after extended periods of antibiotics. If you haven't got the pain or the panic attacks, consider yourself a very mild case. I found that reducing the iron, despite anemia, helped immensely with pain, the only thing for Fatigue is Amphetamines/Adderall, the only thing for dryness is Evoxac, and the only thing for the rest of the pain is pain management (meds). It is a little disconcerting walking into the pharmacy with five C2 prescription forms, I always get that little eyebrow raise they do subconsciously like (whoa! is this chick dying or what?) Still waiting for the big M at 53 - will it ever happen??? Hope you get some relief Boo hasn't posted since march, hopefully she'll get a note that you responded since you two are geographically close. Lucky!!
Hi there Boo, I live in Brampton, Ontario. Would you please pass me the name of the internist that specializes in autoimmune disease.? I would greatly appreciate it.
when i was in london i was seeing Dr K. Myers. She's an internist and her offices are based at st. josephs hospital. nice lady and very informative. she will do full bloodwork and look for all symptoms. i've moved back home now, so i'm slowly building up my crew of specialists again, but still can't find a family physician and the clinics will only treat the main symptom that is your worst complaint. don't even know why they opened so many of these clinics and now they only want one hospital. geesh! all the best to you. oh...and you will need a referral from you gp to see her.
There's always the *chance* that as with other AI disorders, this will go into remission. I haven't met any Sjogren's sufferer who's experienced remission, but it's that hope that keeps me going. It's both amazing and appalling how science works. They're working on an artificial pancreas but still can't cure Diabetes. Merry Christmas y'all. Here's hoping for a much better New Year
There's always the *chance* that as with other AI disorders, this will go into remission. I haven't met any Sjogren's sufferer who's experienced remission, but it's that hope that keeps me going. It's both amazing and appalling how science works. They're working on an artificial pancreas but still can't cure Diabetes. Merry Christmas y'all. Here's hoping for a much better New Year
hey chame,
here in canada, they have developed a vaccine that actually cures sjogren's in mice. It is the combined efforts of the UHN( University of Toronto, Sick Children's, Toronto Western,and St Micheal's) teaching hospitals and uni's. It is only the funding that is preventing this from entering the human phase clinical trials. Sad isn't it?
There's always the *chance* that as with other AI disorders, this will go into remission. I haven't met any Sjogren's sufferer who's experienced remission, but it's that hope that keeps me going. It's both amazing and appalling how science works. They're working on an artificial pancreas but still can't cure Diabetes. Merry Christmas y'all. Here's hoping for a much better New Year
Chame, I'm the same way. You probably already know this, but here in Canada, actually the City of Toronto, the UHN ( which comprises teaching hospitals and universities) have actually completely cured Sjogren's in mice. The only thing preventing this compound from advancing to human clinical trial is funding. How sad is that. I'm trying to bring this to the attention of Venus Williams, and Stephen McPhail, both athletes affected by this disease, in hopes that they will pool together and help raise some money for this vaccine to be studied in humans. This however, along with the work of Dr Faustmun, looks pretty promising. It is of recent scientific opinion that Sjogren's is actually the lynchpin of all autoimmune disease. This is pushing it into the research spotlight. LETS KEEP OUR FINGERS CROSSED.
Boo hasn't posted since march, hopefully she'll get a note that you responded since you two are geographically close. Lucky!! 
Merry Christmas y'all. Here's hoping for a much better New Year
