Hello, again! Glad to meet you all! Am newly diagnosed. :)
While I am glad that you found us, I do not like it that anyone else should have to deal with this health challenge. I am more frustrated when I see younger people with this illness understanding that there is so little that is being done to help us. I believe that the medical model for Auto Immune disease is wrong. I use alternative therapy because of bad reactions to Plaq and MTX.
Sjogrens: Dry eyes, dry sinuses, dry mouth, dry skin, and dry bum.
You may or may not be faced with other health challenges related to this disease that the doctors do not tell you about. Auto Immune (AI) diseases love to bring their friends. If you have one, eventually you will have more than one.
I like also suggest that people with AI diseases read Spoon Theory on the web. It helps to explain how our lives have changed and helps us understand how we can manage the changes to our lives.
http://butyoudontlooksick.com/navigation/BYDLS-TheSpoonTheory.pdf
1. Do not Panic: Anxiety can make your symptoms worse. I suggest that you read and practice the exercises in the book Feeling Good by David Burns. The book is on Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT). It has information on dealing with depression, grief and other mental health issues that you may face in living and managing this disease.
2. Breathe: For as long as you live always remember to breath. When we are in pain, our muscles go into a splinting action. I know that it is hard but we must remember to breathe through the pain.
3. Meditate: Meditation can help you deal with pain and symptoms. When you can do it for 15 minutes you will be at that stage. Here is a very easy meditation technique that will help you as it has helped me. Find a safe comfortable position and close your eyes. With your eyes closed, look to the top of your forehead. As you breathe in, think I am as you breathe out, think calm. Repeat as needed. Meditation can be as good as sleep.
With Sjogrens we tend to have a lot of infections so wear your polar fleece mumps scarf to bed. This will help your body to fight these infections. This link will help with the gland issues: http://www.chakraforce.com/Tonations.html#228.
Omega3, D3, C, Multivitamin, Probiotics seem to provide general support to our bodies when we are facing AI diseases. I like to add an 8oz glass of carrot juice every day to help my body generate endorphins.
I take what I call the Fabulous Five supplements and I wish I had known about them when I got my first AI disease. They are Alpha or R Lipoic Acid, Acetyl-L-Carnitine, Biotin, PQQ, and Co-Q10. As with any drug or supplement, do your own research and consult with your healthcare professional.
Sip-Swish-Swallow are the three Ss of Sjogrens.
Hello Linda - sorry to hear about your diagnosis of sjogrens, but glad you found us. You will find the board to be friendly, helpful and supportive.
Have you started on any medications or supplements to help out with your symptoms?
Welcome.
Hello Linda!
Welcome Linda!!!
Hope you gain some great insight from our posts. It sure has helped me.
Jennifer
I must apologise to Linda_A and everyone who posted on this thread, I had originally moved her post to this thread, and I mistyped the title, calling her Linda L. I just corrected my error, and now it looks like I edited everyone's posts but I didn't, just the original title.
Hi Linda A :)
Welcome to Sjogren's world. I hope you find the site useful. I have always found it helpful and supportive.
Take care - Scottie :)
Hello to Linda A.
I'll look forward to reading any future post you have.
I like to read other peoples journeys that got them to this point (sjogrens diagnosis).
take care.
eye2dry
Welcome Linda A,
I love your quote. In my dreams I always fly.
In my life, maybe not so much flying..........
But do share more with us, as you feel inclined.
Hugs
Elaine
Welcome Linda!
So glad you joined us! You will find the group very supportive. I've learned much more here than from any docs. Having knowledge about the illness is about the only thing with Sjogren's that you do have control over. So welcome to the club. None of us asked to join, but we all walk the journey together.
SjoDry
Welcome, and I am sorry for all your suffering. Days that are better do come.
susanep :)