Recent Posts

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Living With Sjogren's / Re: Men with Sjogrens

« Last post by acer455 on September 23, 2021, 01:23:44 PM »

Hi Everyone I have so many problems with this at one time I have dry mouth with pain in my glands dry eyes I had severe back pain that I had to go to the ER 3 times then my feet are burning and toes were blue problems urinating and ED which I didn?t have before I lost smell and taste which is driving me crazy cause it?s hard to eat healthy and been to a rheumatologist who says I have something but not Sjogrens if this is not Sjogrens than what is it my GP tested me with a blood test and of course negive in blood but borderline autoimmune factors ?The hospital loading me up with pain medication anc took mris but everything came out fine except the blood results they said I have something wrong with me but they don?t  know what I keep saying to them it seems like Sjogrens they keep brushing it off anybody think this is Sjogrens? Anybody know of a good Rheumatologist in Florida? The pain in feet and arms are terrible no appetite?..
I?m only 51

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Living With Sjogren's / Re: Sense of Smell

« Last post by acer455 on September 23, 2021, 12:58:18 PM »

Hi Meirsh it?s so hard to eat without sense of smell and my taste is so lousy with the dry mouth I miss my sense of smell so much ?.I wonder if there way to get it back

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Living With Sjogren's / Re: Flare like I've never known.

« Last post by loulou on September 23, 2021, 10:32:53 AM »

Hi,

Just wanted to update.

The Rheumy said that she believes what I've been suffering is a flare of Fibromalgia. She has increased the Gabapentin.

I have also had a scan on the hip/upper thigh area and it showed stretched tendon issues, I declined the steroid shot and agreed with Rheumy to have Physio instead to see if it helps.

Mornings I feel so grotty, nausea pain etc. It such an effort to get moving sometimes.

But thoughts are with you all.

Take care,

Loulou

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Living With Sjogren's / Re: synthetic varient

« Last post by Linda196 on September 22, 2021, 05:40:43 AM »

Basically, all of the available vaccines are synthetic, or man made. The only "natural" immunization is having had the infection, recovered, and produced your own antibodies, which would produce antibodies only to the variant with which the patient had been infected.

In comparative studies, findings generally indicate that, although efficacy is decreased against all variants, both Astra Zeneca and Pfizer vaccines are effective against the original, and with slightly less effect, the Lambda and Delta variants. Studies haven't been completed for J&J, and specific data for Moderna wasn't available on the sites I researched, because the general scientific opinion is that, as mRNA vaccines, both Pfizer and Moderna would produce the same results. Gamma variant hasn't been researched sufficiently to publish results.

I found a "layman" article in Forbes, and the author claims to have used data compiled by the Lancet, The New England Journal of Medicine and Public Health England to compile charts showing comparative efficacy. https://www.forbes.com/sites/jvchamary/2021/06/30/coronavirus-vaccines-effective-variants/?sh=4a9b395437a5

One interesting bit of information was that Pfizer (and presumably Moderna) lose effectiveness faster against the Delta variant. Another Forbes article talks further that fact, and about general efficacy https://www.forbes.com/sites/roberthart/2021/08/19/covid-vaccines-less-effective-against-delta-variant-and-pfizers-effectiveness-wanes-rapidly-large-study-finds/?sh=7fa0faa644f2

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Living With Sjogren's / synthetic varient

« Last post by Confused on September 22, 2021, 01:02:16 AM »

Anyone know if the synthetic vaccine has been made to fight the variant that will not respond to any of the vaccines that are out there?

What is more important-money or people?

Anyone having trouble finding a doctor who cares when you have something that they just cannot throw a script at?

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Living Life In Spite of Sjogren's / Re: Let's talk weather 2021

« Last post by meirish on September 20, 2021, 08:03:42 PM »

Well, it is September 20 and today we got a very good rain. It was a straight downpour that was good enough to cause a lot of rain to go down the storm sewers. We have had those few 15 minute rains that settled the dust and then last week a good couple of hours of rain that came with lots of wind and a couple of tornados in central Minnesota. This rain was one of the old fashioned soakers that was more calm and made the air smell good. At least it is raining. Lots of bad crops in our state but at least we know that it can still rain. So many places have had none to very small amounts. Reminiscent of many decades ago isn't it. Hope you all get some moisture----except if you have had too much in which case it is time for it to stop. meirish

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Living Life In Spite of Sjogren's / Re: Good News and Bad News

« Last post by meirish on September 20, 2021, 07:58:17 PM »

So glad that this procedure is over and done and with good result. Also happy that you are enjoying your new friend. In my old age I finally think I would enjoy a house dog but now it won't work with my health and lifestyle. Oh, well, will enjoy my kids dogs. A yellow lab, chocolate lab and another golden colored large dog who has a name I can't remember. They are all such good friends to out entire family9. meirish

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Living With Sjogren's / Re: Not sure what this means

« Last post by meirish on September 20, 2021, 07:54:25 PM »

Cari, Sounds like you have a doctor that is doing tests that will be of some help. He may be right with his diagnosis and he may be wrong. I does make us feel better with a diagnosis and if they can be "for sure" with a diagnosis it is even better. However, the one thing that you said is really the point of all of our need for diagnosis. The need to be treated for our symptoms.

There are some patients who get a sjogrens diagnosis without severe symptoms that don't get any treatment. Often the symptoms of fatigue and body aching will decrease if a person is put on Hydroxychloroquin. I have had to stop my hydroxy several times when my old problem of reflux would increase. I had wait for reflux to improve a lot so would be off the Hydroxy for several months.I eventually learned a better dosage time that worked better for me. During this time I always thought that I couldn't tell the different being off the drug. Until some more time went by and the old fatigue, aching, joint pain reared its ugly head again.

Hydroxychloroquin is one of the first treatment of choice for sjogrens because of its anti-inflammatory effect. Hopefully you will continue to receive good treatment. Good luck. meirish

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Living Life In Spite of Sjogren's / Re: Good News and Bad News

« Last post by Carolina on September 20, 2021, 06:36:08 PM »

Dear Lighthouse,

I'm delighted that the procedure is over and the outcome is very optimistic.

Can't wait to hear more about King Louie!

Elaine

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Living With Sjogren's / Re: shoulder tendon

« Last post by bluegardenia on September 20, 2021, 11:36:06 AM »

Thanks for your replies. Kathy  from the ultrasound the right's arm tendon is broken end left arm is starting to be inflamed. I must say that physiotherapy and other therapies work a little and I can move better; now I want to see a surgeon to know what he thinks.