Hi guys,
I started numbness on my left cheek 2 years ago. went to the neurologist and did a brain MRI and nothing was wrong with me - went to Rheumatologist and blood work showed Sjogrens - was referred to an eye doctor - everything was normal - I don't have the symptoms of Sjogren - no dry mouth and no dry eyes.. which from what i read the primary - the rheumatologist just said i have sjorgren and no meds were prescribed...nothing.. i thought at first it was not a big deal.. the numbness on my left cheek didn't go away infact my right cheek started numbing, my right hand and my right knee.. not quite sure how to describe - it tingles and i can still feel on areas that are numbing. Recently i went to my primary doctor and told her that i still feel the numbness, first she thought i may be from vitamin deficiency- did a lot of blood test and everything were fine she even said that i am very healthy so now she thinks it is just stress from work of that i could just be making it up. she prescribe Xanax and muscle relaxer, which i refuse to take becuase i know this is not due to anxiety or stress. i told her if she could refer me to another rheumatologist. The new rheumatologist was pissed that my neurologist and my old rheumatologist did not follow up- that sjogren is not something you just ignore. I am going through more blood test and if my new rheumatologist is not sure what is causing the numbness he will refer me to John Hopkins for the test study of sjogren. Every night now i look up and read about sjogrens. it scares me because I am getting married this year and planning to have kids. Have you guys experience numbness due to sjogrens. If so what else can i tell my rheumatologist to test me for. The numbness /tingling does not hurt but it is scares me everyday. i see there are herbal treatment if i google sjogren treatment but i think this is just for the dry eyes and mouth.. any of you guys on an herbal treatment?
Cherryac, welcome. Get yourself a cup of peppermint tea. It is a numbness in your head and you are not imagining it. Next time you see a Dr., bring an advocate with you. Maybe even go see a dentist since we are very prone to infections that do not show in our blood work.
Hi Cherryac :)
Welcome to Sjogren's world.
Remember that when you read up about Sjogren's most sites list everything that CAN happen to people. Many people never get half the symptoms that are listed. It's a very individual disease. It;'s progressive but very slowly progressive usually. It is very rarely terminal - just interminable!
Many people have it for years before they ever get a diagnoses and during that time many have married, had children and worked.
Obviously you need to get to the bottom of what is causing the symptoms you are having. I hope the new rheumatologist helps you with this. Please don't worry about stuff that may never happen. It stops you getting on with your life in the here and now.
Take care - Scottie :)