? on Sjogrens ?

[Mars]

Hi everyone,
I have been reading up on this Sjogrens and have a question -

I have been plagued with the dry eyes (every symptom listed under the Mayo Clinic for Sjogren) for many, many months and have suffered with dry mouth for as long as I can remember.

The doctor ran blood work for thyroid and AHA??? Autoimmune something or other which both came back normal. Is Sjogrens picked up with the latter blood test listed above???

I go to an allergist on Monday - I am hoping that I can find some answers. Since the eye specialist diagnosed "allergy induced conjuctivitis that will not resolve with treatment", he said I needed to see another specialist and/or an allergist. I made an appointment with the specialist for the 25th of February - good thing I'm just in misery and not dying!!! LOL I decided yesterday that I would take it upon myself to make an appointment with a local allergist and they made a quick appointment for Monday. I am hoping to get some relief soon.

Thanks,
Mars

[hazel]

I was looking for a "good luck" emoticon but couldn't find one. This smiley is trying to say "good luck." Hope someone can help you!

PS I am also glad you are "only" in misery and not dying!

[Moosely Immune]

My eye doctor is the first medical professional that diagnosed my Sjogrens - he was able to tell by physically examining my eyes. There is not a blood test I know of that would detect it. I have dry eyes - to the point that I can't see at night when they are the dryest, dry mouth (and now one full of fillings due to the tooth decay caused by the sjogrens). I also have extremely dry skin & have had a terrible time with dryness in the vaginal area - it interfered with me getting pregnant.

The Arthritis Foundation at www.arthritis.org has some great information on Sjorgrens which is considered to be an autoimmune disorder. Hope this info helps!

Moose

[tex]

Hi Mars,

AHA stands for Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia, which is rare, but is sometimes connected with other autoimmune issues such as lupus, and Sjogren's.

Here's how it works:

Some patients produce antibodies that bind to their own cells, and in some cases these antibodies bind to red blood cells. Such red cells which are coated with antibodies are usually promptly removed from the blood, and destroyed by white blood cells, (specifically, macrophages, which are a normal part of the body's immune system, but of course macrophages normally target antibody coated viruses or bacteria, not red blood cells). This process can result in anemia, if the production of new red cells can't keep up with the rate at which the antibody coated red cells are destroyed.

The kicker is that if AHA is present, it tends to make the diseases with which it is connected, (Sjogren's, SLE, etc.), resistant to treatment. Since that seems to be the case with your symptoms, presumably that's why your doctor requested the AHA test. Here's a reference on a case study where AHA was combined with Sjogren's:

http://www.docguide.com/news/content.ns ... s=18091373

Love,
Tex

[Mars]

Well, my AHA results were normal.

I'm gonna go read the links now - thanks!

Love,
Mars

[barbaranoela]

Margie------intersting post-----On my list for the THYROID Dr. is my issues with Xtreme dry mouth!!!!
This too all started in AZ. (along with my fatigue) but since back surgery it has gotten worse---

I hope U get some relief with your eyes too---and lets hear the results!!!

I kinda thought this *dry* mouth was increasing a bit too much---but Mr. L. says I complain too much so I have been ignoring it!!!
Now I shall go upstairs and give the *GUESS WHAT* QUIZZ!!!

take care Margie

I thought the new year of 08 was going to be better---
luve Barbara

[Pat]

Moose,
I hope your dentist gave you a prescription for Prevident. It is a toothpaste that has a lot of fluoride in it. This will help prevent cavities. If you are having sensitivity ( like to cold) use Prevident Plus. It have an additional ingredient for the sensitivity. I am a dental hygienist and that is what we recommend to our patients with dry mouth. Some use it once a day, preferably at night. Some use it twice a day. Then use the Biotene products to moisturize. They have a toothpaste, mouthwash, chewing gum, and spray. The patients that do the best use all of those. Hope this helps. Most people have dry mouth due to their medications.

Pat

[Moosely Immune]

Pat, thanks for the info. Yes, my dentist did prescribe a toothpaste that seems to be pure floride & he told me to chew gum with a special ingredient - the name slips my mind at the moment but it is in Trident & that seems to help a lot. I use warm water for the sensitivity & anymore I just dread going to the dentist - but I do go religiously every 6 mos to try to stay on top of things. I used to think my dry mouth was just from all my meds esp. the Lomotil I used to have to take, but turns out it was the Sjogrens. The additional involvement of the eyes & skin really was the clue to the more serious problem. My body is an autoimmune mess.

OK, that is enough whining for me today. Anyway, thanks again for the additional info.
Moose

[sunny]

I had to smile when you said your body was an auto-immune mess....that describes exactly how i've been feeling!! i go to the dentist in 2 weeks and shall ask about that gum and toothpaste. Thanks for your notes of encouragement to me; here's one back to you....