Hi Everyone,
Today I was at the dentist. Oh what a shock for me. I was told that I have ten cavities, fractured tooth, and another one needs a route canal. Apparantly, my mouth is very dry which is the cause of the cavities. I also have dry eyes,fatigue,muscle aches,fibromyalgia,inflammatory polyarthritis,new onset of low jaw pain etc etc. My Mom was dx. with this and now am wondering if I may have it as well.
I have a Rheumatologist. However, my labs always come back negative.
Please advise.
Thanks,
Cindy
Oh Cindy!
I am so sorry this has happened to you! I am no doctor but certainly there sounds like a BIG chance you have Sjogren's Syndrome.
There are people here who will likely have some ideas and stories about what they have done in your situation.
Welcome to this forum,
Janna
Hi Cindy :)
Welcome to Sjogren's world. Like Janna said - you could have SjS - but I'm not a doc either. Are you on any mediactions that could account for your mouth being dry? I know there are some that can have that effect.
Take care - Scottie :)
Thank you for the replies. I take Lexapro which can cause dry mouth. I've taken that for about three years. Another on and off sx. is waking up with a dry cough. Lately, I've had a lot of trouble getting and staying asleep.
Thanks again.
Cindy
Sorry for your problem, and your mom's. I think after years of diagnosis issues for me now, I would insist on the lip biopsy. It's the only definative test. Can your rhuemy refer you to someone? Sandra
I agree with Sandra, that is a real good idea.
Hi Cindy,
Welcome to the SJS World! Please look around as there is so many topics that might interest you.
I do have a question for you, is your rheumy treating your symptoms? If so, what does he have you on? If not, can you get a second opinion?
As for having SJS, I can't say as I'm not a doctor or in the medical profession; but anything is possible with AI's to begin with. With your family history, it could be. But please remember, sometimes your blood work takes years to come back positive, and then there are those whose blood work is never positive (it's enough to make you crazy!).
Have you seen a pulmonalogist by any chance? I ask because you mention the dry coughing, and your sleep problems. Have you had a sleep study done? Between the rheumy and the pulmonalogist, I'm now on a CPAP machine, and Amitriptyline to help me sleep. The CPAP has helped me get rid of the morning headaches, and it's not bad once you get used to it. I hate the Amitriptyline though, it causes some serious nightmares for me...not a fun way to spend a night. ;)
Is your dentist familiar with SJS? Your mouth kind of sounds like mine, I still have some moisture, but I'm on my second rebuild (and the last one! I'd like to be able to retire one day! ;D) - I do feel for you!
Hang in there, come often, and I hope to chat with you soon!
Take care -
Patze
Hey Patze how do you go with the effects of the amitryptaline on your mouth? I know when i was on that i was so so so dry.
Hi Cin welcome to sjogren's world. My blood work is mostly negative but i have lots of symptoms. I'm on lexapro too but i dont think that dries my mouth. The dry cough you are experiencing could be a result of your dry mouth or possibly muck draining offyour sinuses during the night. I quite often wake up with a dry cough lately.
I hope you get some answers. This is a great place.
Pud
Hi Pud,
It really doesn't dry out my mouth, the only side effect from it are the nightmares, they are the worst. Other than that, it really do anything for me anymore - I guess the old body just adjusted to it. Oh well.
Take care -
Patze