autoimmune 2

celia · Post by **celia** » Fri May 19, 2006 8:35 am

Hi everyone,

I really hope I don't have Sjorgren's, but I am taking some steps to rule it out. My mouth feels so dry in the night that I drink 16-20 ozs. of water, and that's been the case since last September and for periods before that. I've asked my rheumatologist if she will check me for the Sjorgren's antibodies (although they are not always present), and I'm scheduling an appointment with an ENT as well. I had my vision checked yesterday (no changes) and the optometrist gave me helpful advice for dealing with dry eyes. I also started doing daily sesame oil massage again as recommended by my ayurvedic doctor a year ago for dryness.

There may be other causes for the dryness, but I would sure like to rule this one out (or in) the best I can. In the meantime, I'm taking some positive steps to counter the dryness!

I read an article on Sjorgren's co-authored by a doctor from Scripps in San Diego. Interestingly, he says that environmental factors and food antigens may play a role in either causing or treating the disease. It's not often you hear a doctor talking about food antigens.

Sjogren's involves lymphocytic infiltration of the moisture producings glands. Does anyone know if lymphocytic infiltration is characteristic of all autoimmune disease? Has anyone found dryness to be an issue in related to their MC?

Hugs, Celia

artteacher · Post by **artteacher** » Fri May 19, 2006 10:08 am

Hi Celia,

Yes, when the symptoms of lupus and MS slowly started after my third baby, I also noticed that my saliva got noticably thicer, and my mouth drier. It's gotton worse over time, but I take Wellbutrin and Zoloft also: those can cause dry mouth. I use 3% hydrogen peroxide cut by half as a mouthwash at night, and it helps a lot. Otherwise the dryness causes me to have the worst taste in my mouth due to lack of (ok I'll say it) spit to wash away bacteria.

I was tested for Shogruns, but don't have it. Classic Shogruns should give you blue painful fingers at the slightest chill. (It's in my family) Do you also have very dry or red eyes?

Love, Marsha

Post by **tex** » Fri May 19, 2006 10:20 am

Celia,

As you probably know, an infiltration of lymphocytes into the epithelium of the colon is the distinguishing marker in the diagnosis of lymphocytic colitis, so it's quite logical that patients with MC would be prone to diseases such as Sjogren's. In fact, it apears that most, (possibly all), autoimmune diseases share similar characteristics. Here are a couple of articles which discuss psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile diabetes, and autoimmune thyroid disease, for example, which note lymphocytic infiltration as a distinguishing characteristic:

http://www.nature.com/ng/journal/v35/n4 ... 3-299.html

http://www.aarda.org/infocus_article.php?ID=27

You may find this article very interesting:

http://www.jautoimdis.com/content/2/1/6

Tex

cludwig · Post by **cludwig** » Fri May 19, 2006 4:10 pm

hi celia,

i have dry mouth and dry eyes also.i was diagnosed with lymphocytic colitis in Jan. 2006. So I have this too. Interesting....I hope it doesn't mean anything for all of us.

cristi

celia · Post by **celia** » Sat May 20, 2006 7:20 am

Thanks Tex, will check out the links! Celia

celia · Post by **celia** » Sat May 20, 2006 7:23 am

Hi Marsha,

It's really helpful to hear your experience with Lupus. The blue fingers - is that the Raynaud's Phenomena they talk about? I've read that it ocurs sometimes with Sjogren's but not always. I do have cold extremities - doctors always comment on that. My eyes are mildly irritated, not strongly or red or burning. I get stabbing eye pains sometimes. For some, eye symptoms are the last to occur.

Thanks for your caring! Celia

Tessa · Post by **Tessa** » Sat May 20, 2006 12:22 pm

Hi Celia

I have a dry mouth too, but what worries me most are the red eyes.

Many people say... Hey! Your eyes are red!

And then I have to say something to avoid more questions: I think it is because I have been typing too much... Or I mention it is an allergy... etc.

We do have similar symptoms. I assume that having an autoimmune reaction means anything can happen.
Am I right?

Love,
Tessa

celia · Post by **celia** » Sat May 20, 2006 4:38 pm

Hi Tessa,

I don't want to panic people about acquiring new auto immune diseases!!! It is more likely to acquire a second if you have one aleady, but it's not as common as I thought --- maybe about 15% of people, if I remember correctly.

Dry eyes (burning, red, etc.) and dry mouth are the distinguishing sign of Sjogren's Syndrome although it can effect other parts of the body (like the lungs) as well. Like you, people go from doctor for years before it's diagnosed. I'm NOT saying you have Sjorgren's, but if you want to check it out, here are some websites.

Sjogren's World Community Forum
p073.ezboard.com/fsjsworldforumsfrm2

This article under their article button is a very good overview of Sjogren's-
SS A Multifaceted Disorder
Seattle WA Symposium by Dr. Elaine Alexander, Dr. Philip J. Mease & Dr. P. Scott Pollock

At www.dry.org and click on I've just been diagnosed with Sjorgren's...
There's this article which is also excellent...
Sjogren's Syndrome: A Guide for the Patient, by Drs. Robert Fox et al.

Dryness is a symptom of several different auto immune disorders (like thyroid as you suspect) and fibromyalgia too. I'm so sorry your doctors can figure out what's going on!

I just started using homeopathic eye drops from Switzerland called Similasan Dry Releif, releives dryness, clears redness, soothes and moisturizes. I actually found them right in my local grocery store, so I imagine they are easier to find in Spain since homeopathics are more widely availalbe in Europe. If not this, hopefully you could find another type of eye drop or artificial tears that might help you, if you haven't tried soemthing already.

Good luck with this! Celia

annie oakley · Post by **annie oakley** » Sat May 20, 2006 6:50 pm

I Noticed that I have a dry mouth quite often and my fingers get blue when cold. I'll check the Links. Love Oma

Post by **tex** » Sat May 20, 2006 11:04 pm

Celia,

In my opinion, (strictly my opinion), that 15% figure is waaaaaaaaaaaaay too low. My impression is that there are very few people on this board, who don't have at least one or more secondary issues classified as autoimmune diseases. Most of us have several. Offhand, I can't think of a single member who doesn't have additional autoimmune issues, but maybe I'm overlooking someone.

I've set up a poll to gather that information. I think the poll will yield some interesting results.

Tex

celia · Post by **celia** » Sun May 21, 2006 6:57 am

Tex,

You are probably right, it probably is low. I was surprised when I read it and that's why the number stuck in my mind, but I may have got the number wrong. Can't remember where I read it now.

Celia

celia · Post by **celia** » Sun May 21, 2006 7:04 am

Oma,

If your fingers turn blue sometimes google Raynaud's Phenomena or Raynaud's Disease. It can occur on it's own or secondary in the case of Lupus, Sjorgren's, and some other conditions. It's a circulatory problem.

But remember, it's normal for circulation to decrease in the extremities when we are cold. That's not necessarily abnormal. Again, I don't want to scare people into thinking they have illnesses they may not have!

Hugs, Celia