MS and Sjogren's?

[Zacksmomi]

As a few of you know I went to UCSF.  I have not made my journal as I keep saying I will do, but I have been looking up info instead.
One thing that I am coming accross is starting to bother me a bit.  The Dr at UCSF confirmed my MS as RRMS, but he is also testing me for sjogrens syndrome.  I have bad problems with my eyes to which my last opthamologist dx'd dry eye syndrome.  
Well a couple months ago at a dental appt my dentist was overly concerned about dry mouth.  I see him regularly and this has never come up before.  I was having a crown put on so discussion was limited, but I did say that I am on lots of meds so we didn't discuss it much after he finished.

My neuro sent me to UCSF because he feels a secondary condition is causing my sx's and they are not all MS related.  He is hoping to find a way to get me better relief.  The UCSF Dr says that dry eyes and mouth could be from neuro damage too and not SS?? Is that possible?

I know lots of ppl on here are being treated for dry eyes and I am wondering if meds could also cause dry eyes and mouth bad enough to cause these tests??
Does anyone have these sx's due to neuro probs from MS?

Just trying to figure all this out.
D

[meg321]

I asked my MS doc about  Sjogren's, and she said she had already tested for it and I don't havr it, its most likely my meds.

hugs, meg

[meg321]

Thats very interesting, I don't think i have seen this discussed before on here.  I have had dry eyes and mouth for a long time but it is so much worse now..I sometimes feel as if my insides are sawdust too...also my skin is very dry and causes me problems too.

My mouth is so dry that it caused tooth decay, now i only have two of my original teeth.  I always have water somewhere near me, i drink it constantly.  I thought maybe it was partly to blame for the thrush I get in my mouth.

I had cateract surgery this year and my vision is 20/20 but I still cannot always read with comfort..especially in the morning...i chalked it off as allergies.

Noone has ever mentioned anything else but it being caused by my meds. which it could very well be.

good topic, thanks

hugs. meg

[rendean]

Tonya and others were on track regarding meds causing your symptoms. I come from the other perspective. Everyone thought I had Sjogren's syndrome and NOT MS. I had a Schirmer's test done and my results were 1 mm.

Long story, short...after 4 years my wise MS neuro (who in his notes also thought Sjogrens) ordered a lip biopsy, as it is the gold standard for diagnosing this condition.

My biopsy came back negative and my dx was given. Since that point, even though my MRI has not changed, my symptoms have worsened and clearly  are more in line with MS than Sjogren's, which usually manifests with rheumatological symptoms.

I now have the dx of sicca syndrome (dry  eyes/mouth ) and not Sjogren's. All the rheumatological symptoms (hip bursitis) were actually weak hip flexors due to MS. Makes since now that the Plaquenil used to treat Sjogren's had absolutely no effect on my hip issues.

Just my two cents,
Ren

[tonyad]

    Hey there.....It is certainly not uncommon to have more than one Autoimmune Disease....A lip biopsy can reveal lymphocytes clustered around salivary glands, and damage to these glands due to inflammation.

    The Schirmer test measures the production of tears: a strip of filter paper is held inside the lower eyelid for five minutes, and its wetness is then measured with a ruler. Producing less than five millimeters of liquid is usually indicative of Sjögren's syndrome.

     They can also do a blood test called ANA (Anti Nuclear Antibody). SS frequently occurs secondary to rheumatoid arthritis.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sj%C3%B6gren's_syndrome

    Although it certainly could be caused by some of your meds or just be one of those who have Dry Eye Syndrome. BUT, always best to rule out SS to be on the safe side.
Hope you get answers soon. Actually dx SS is way easier to dx than MS!  Good thing for that...Lol

Take Care,
~Tonya
    

[Wobbly]

Hi there.  I just wanted to add that it could be from meds?  Or SS.. I've heard that it can sometimes be hard to Dx.... (isn't everything)

I have eye problems, but was told not dry eyes.  I hope you find answers..
let us know how things go

take care
wobbly

[Zacksmomi]

Thanks for the support, and I did not laugh until you told me not to and that made me laugh :)

[addicted2harleys]

Mornin' D-

As you already know, I am undx'ed.  But I have been looking into SS, too, because of all the problems I have with my eyes.  Yes, I do have dry eye and mouth, too.

I decided to ask my PCP for referral to neuro-ophtho (he agreed and it is in the works now).  I haven't driven in a year due to eye problems and it is now getting harder and harder to read.  I also run into walls with my scooter (don't laugh!!) because I sometimes mistaken the wrong perception when my double vision get bad.  lol  We are gonna have to pain the lower foot of our walls in our hallway soon!  ;0)

I did look into the side effects of my meds for dry eye and mouth.  4 of the ones I am on have it listed.  My dry eye and mouth only started a little over a year ago.  Neuro symptoms started 6 years ago.  So I don't know, but I aim to find out.

With all the extra symptoms you have been experiencing, checking into SS seems reasonable to me and I am glad your UCSF neuro is not dismissing your symptoms.

I am hoping the neuro-ophth can sort this all out for me.

Addi