Sjogrens

[TJ731]

What would be the signs/symptoms of Sjogrens? Primary doctor is running bloodwork for Sjogrens to see if I have it.
Eyes are dry, scratchy, irritated, burning. Saw ENT, everything upon exam looked fine and ENT said I looked fine and couldnt help. Only have dust mite allergy. Suggested Claritin. If this isnt Sjogrens syndrome going on with my eye what else could it possibly be? Doc is also ruling out viral syndrome. Thank you.

[yellow3615]

I am a 33 year old female I was diagnosed with sjogrens syndrome this week. I don't have dry eyes or dry mouth. I do have joint pain, chest tightness, headaches, tingling sensations, at one point i had dizzy spells. I was diagnosed with ssa and ssb. Positive ana but reumy said no specific links to lupus.  

[AireScottie]

Forgot to say, my Sjogren's is not secondary to anything.  There's some speculation that there are more primary cases than diagnosed, but the secondary ones get diagnosed more often because the doctor is already looking for something else.

[AireScottie]

I started having trouble with my autonomic nervous system long before my eyes got annoyingly dry.  In my case, the doctor's first clue should have been that even though I was thin, I suddenly looked like I had a double chin.  The salivary glands under my jaw swell like crazy sometimes and have been for 13 years (I just got diagnosed).  I too had to have a lip biopsy after many negative blood tests.

[Billydude]

I have Sjogrens Syndrome and it effects everyone a little differently but the one thing is that many of us have multiple symptoms.   I don't even have very dry eyes.   Just google Sjogrens Syndrome and you'll find many lists of the symptoms.   One important thing to know is that only about half of the diagnosed people with Sjogrens show postive blood work.  My blood work is negative but I received a confirmed diagnosis via a lip biopsy where they take a little salivry gland and check for lymphocyte infiltration.
My biggest problem with Sjogrens along with dry nasel membranes is that its affected my autonomic nervous system.  

[ohanamama]

I'm a bit late on this response -- I have Sjogren's, and it's not just your eyes that are dry.  Any mucos membrane you have is dry.  So eyes, nose, mouth, female parts (assuming you are), etc.  It impacts dental work, can effect lungs and other organs if it gets really bad.  There are diagnostic blood tests that can be done for it (SSa and SSb antibodies) and there is a medication which provides some relief for it (Evoxac).  Rarely is Sjogren's a primary illness.  You usually have it secondarily to another autoimmune condition.  Good Luck!  Let me know if you have specific questions.

Ohanamama

[PlateletGal]

Many people with chronic health conditions share some of the same symptoms that Sjogren's patients often have (dry eyes, dry mouth, etc.).

Your eyes could be due to allergies alone. There is a product you can purchase at Walgreens or online.... it is homeopathic, but works wonders for me. It is called, "Similasan Allergy Eye Relief". They also have one for dry eyes as well.