Sjorgens Syndrome and possible other effects.

I started being ill just before xmas first my hair started falling out then about February my eye left eye became red sore and swollen where the bottom lashes are I became very exhausted and I have not been to work since end of March through feeling very ill been to the doctors every week since then and attended the dentist Tuesday and with the problems I have asked me if I had dry eyes, dry mouth and pains in my joints all are a yes and have been taking pain killers for my hip (arthritis) for a few years he advised me to return to the doctors and ask for test for Sjorgens syndrome but my doctor said its nothing you only need eye drops to which I asked about all my other symptoms plus my hair still falling out but she dismissed that as nothing also my scalp tends to have a slight burning sensation that comes and goes, surely I should be having tests to see where else this may be affecting me and to see if this is causing my hair falling out problem and my exhaustion and my painful stiff joints.   I have made another appointment for another doctor on Friday  what would you suggest that I ask for and do you think this is why my hair is falling out I am really desperate now and need to get well enough to return to work.  I also get a lot of pain in my lung area from time to time and in the past 2 months doctor thought I had a slight infection I have had a chest xray which was clear.  Thanks

[karajo]

Hi Karen,
I hope you get this b/4 your appt.  

I'm not sure, but I think that hair falling out is not associated w/ Sjogren's.  But it is associated w/ lupus.  I have lupus and dry eyes.  My Ear/Nose/Throat Dr. thinks I have Sjogren's too, but w/o an elevated sed rate the bioopsy would probably not be positive.  He said we needed to do a wait and see approach on the Sjogren's.  He had a patient they suspected had Sj.  They did a biopsy, which was neg.  Then two years later did another biopsy and it was pos.  

There are 11 criteria for a lupus dx.  You must have at least 4 of the 11 to recieve a dx.

They are:
1. malar rash over cheeks (butterfly rash) (74%)
2. discoid rash, red raised patches
3. photosensitivity - reaction to sunlight, resulting in skin rash (50%)
4. oral and nose ulcers
5. arthritis (95%)
6. serositis - inflamation (inflammation) of the lining of the lung or heart
7. reanl disorder - excessive protein in urine and/or cellular casts
8. neurologic disorder - seizures, or psychosis
9. anemia or low white blood count or lymphopenia or low platelet count
10. positive ANA
11. positive anti-DNA or anti-Sm, or antiphospholipid antibody or false pos. syphilis test

Other symptoms are:
fever (90-95%)
abdominal pain
chest pain
shortness of breath
blood in urine
hair falling out (27%)
fatigue (90%)
muscle pain and weakness (90%)
dizziness
poor memory
headaches
poor circulation in fingers and toes
tingling in extremities
diarrhea
bloating
nausea
weight loss
blurred vision
depression
palpitations
raynauds (where fingers turn white when cold)
intollerance to cold
sore throat
lymph node swelling (50%)
...to name a few

I suggest you print this list out and mark the ones you have.  Be very prepared when you go to the dr.  

Keep us posted.

[karenelizabeth]

Thanks for that but have already checked out Lupus but I think I now know what is wrong with me and will give you an update when I can.

[thepurselady]

Karen my hair has been falling for 6 years and I have the burning scalp pain.  Have you found any answers to your problem yet?