Newbie here!

[smallhours]

Hi, I just wanted to pop in and introduce myself.  I was diagnosed a few months back with Sjogren's and am still trying to figure this craziness out.  I'm 47 and have had fibromyalgia for many years now, so I'm no stranger to pain and weird things happening within my body...but I must say this Sjogren's is a horse of a different color!  I've spent some time searching old posts and it's reassuring to me when I read that I'm not the only one going through this.  I'm so thankful I found this site!

Have a great day all....Kat

[Katybarstool]

Hi Kat

Welcome aboard. I'm glad you found us, and look forward to getting to know you.

Kathyx

[Chickpea]

Hi Kat

Good to meet you!  'Pain and weird things happening' sounds just about right for SjS!  We can all relate to that description.

Did you get diagnosed quickly or were you in 'limboland' for a while?  What are your main symptoms?  Are you on any meds?

I'm glad you found us - visit lots and ask all the questions you need to. 

Take care - Chickpea

[Scottietottie]

Hi Kat 

Welcome to Sjogren's world!

SjS is a strange one. We're all on the same journey - but it's a very individual disease. It makes some people very ill and other people uncomfortable and its impossible to predict who will be hit with what.

I hope you find the site helpful. It's friendly for sure!

Take care - Scottie 

[smallhours]

Chickpea.....Yes, I've traveled through "limboland" for a couple of years.  Everything really went into high gear right after my hysterectomy a little over 4 years.  I'm not sure if that had something to do with it or was just a coincidence.  The first thing I noticed was that food was sticking to my teeth.  It went downhill from there.  I have a lot of pain...muscles, joints and tendons, run low grade fevers, have extremely dry skin, my fingernails and cuticles look horrible, have trouble swallowing and speaking, have a burning, dry mouth and eyes, dry hair that falls out on and off...I also have all the wonderful things that go along with Fibromyalgia.  I'm so thankful that I have a rheumy who put the pieces together.  I haven't had a lip biopsy (don't think I need one or want one), but had positive blood work.  I was on pilocarpine, but was switched to Evoxac which seems to work better for me.  I've been on Plaquenil for a couple of months now, and for the first time I think I see a little ray of sunshine.  I just started using the Numoisyn lozenges...not quite sure about those yet.  They seem to help a little but hurt my jaws when I first put them in my mouth.  I take a few other meds for my osteoarthritis, fibro, and herniated discs.  Looking back I can see myself gradually compensating for the dryness.  Blistex, eyedrops, vaginal moisturizer, lotion, taking bottled water to bed, etc.  It all makes sense now.

---Kat

[lynnmarie219]

Hi Kat and Welcome to Sjogrens World!

I also believe my sjogrens started kicking in when I had my hysterectomy about 8 years ago......although no one was able to pull it all together until I went to my GP for ongoing joint pain and tendinitis. He ran some blood work and it came back positive for sjogrens...also had a positive lip biopsy. He then referred me on to a rheumy and the rest is history...I was eventually fully diagnosed with sjogrens and fibro among a few other little treats thrown in for good measure over the years.


Anyway...read all you can and rest assured that you will be understood here. You will also find comfort, support and friendship and have a little bit of fun along the way too!

[smallhours]

Just wanted to pop in and add a THANK YOU for your welcomes.  I've already learned so much from this site.  It's nice to know that I'm not on this journey alone.

Kat