I have not been officially diagnosed with Sjogren's because my doctor doesn't think I have enough markers yet, I guess. He says I'm in the gray area of having an autoimmune disease. Anyway just curious, how do you know if you're having a flare? For the last five days I've felt very fatigued, and the last 2 days I have been unable to wear my contacts because my eyes are so dry. Even without the contacts my eyes feel like I have sand in them. More so in my right than my left. My right eye is also red around my iris and I have shooting pains like someone is sticking it with a needle. I've been using artificial tears but not really helping. I'm just wondering if the fatigue along with the severely dry eyes could be a flare. Or would there be more going on than that?
Any feedback given would be greatly appreciated.
I'm in the same boat. Am still going through tests and my rheumatologist said that I wouldn't get a firm diagnosis of Primary Sjogrens for 18 months to two years. He said that even though I have the dryness associated with Sjogrens it could develop into any autoimmune. At the moment, I have positive ANA but no other autoimmune markers. So far no damage to salivary glands or thyroid. I'm having my lip biopsy in a week or so then after that it's keeping an eye on the progression of what I have. The Sjogren's specialist I'm seeing says that I have either Sjogrens or UCTD.
Anyway going back to your question, 'flares' mean that your condition gets worse than it usually is for a time. So for example: drier eyes than usual, more pain than usual, more inflammation than usual. That's my understanding anyway.:)
During my flares all of my symptoms get worse, but especially fatigue, muscle and joint aches/pains, no energy whatsoever, just dragging. I also get lower edema in my feet, ankles, and lower legs when I am in a flare. Plus, my cognitive abilities get worse.
I think the flares are a little different for each person, depending on regular symptoms bu,t as Cari said, it is basically that one's symptoms get a lot worse. Or one may have symptoms that one only gets during flares (like the edema I get with the flares).
About your eyes, it would be a good idea to see an opthamologist about your eyes. The opthamologist may order some drops for you. My opthamologist ordered Restasis eye drops for me 2 years before I even knew I had an Autoimmune Disease. You do not need an Autoimmune Disease to get your eyes treated. You do not want to just let it go and wait. You can get permanent damage from dry eyes because the dryness causes corneal abrasions and can cause corneal ulcers. This can lead to vision impairment. So I would suggest that you see an opthamologist about your eyes ASAP.
Best of luck.
I don't tend to use the term "flare" much cause I am not totally knowledgeable about this term.
The other thing is that I have 3 other autoimmune diseases besides the Sjogrens plus severely low t-cells of questionable origin---probably related to autoimmune disease per my immunologist.
Then add in the fact that I am now 72 years old and have had a lot of stress these past few years. Who knows what my ailments are from. Sometimes I try to ignore them cause I would not know which specialist to go to. Just my take on the subject. I would assume that any increase in symptoms can mean a flare. I do know that when I use this term in the presence of "lay people" I sure get strange looks. I always think that they think I am trying to make a big deal out of something. If only they knew!!!!Irish
One of my rheumatologists said a flare was when whatever autoimmune we have is active and causing symptoms to be exacerbated is a flare.
I know some people say they are flaring when the fatigue , dryness, pain etc.bothers them more.
I guess it's either of those. IMO