Newbie here!!

[bdubs]

Hi everyone! My name is Brittany. I'm a 24 year old female who was just recently told by a rheumatologist that he highly suspects I have sjogrens. He is running a bunch of bloodwork and i have a follow up appt in two weeks to get the results but just after reading a little, I too am convinced this is what has been causing all sorts of troublesome symptoms for the last 3 1/2 years. I've seen over 22 doctors searching for answers...they all tell me it's in my head. I finally convinced one to send me to a rheum. because nobody else was helping me. My symptoms are as follows (not sure if they are all related to sjogren's or not  ) : dry eyes, dry nose, dry mouth, dry vagina, shortness of breath, difficulty swallowing (ive been on a liquid diet for over 3 months now), itchy skin, hair loss,occasional weakness in arms and the list goes on. I find your group of people on here to be very accepting and welcoming. I'm hoping that this doc is on the right track and can help with the swallowing and shortness of breath issues as i am raising two young kids alone while my husband is away at war  . If anyone has had these particular issues and can offer some advice or reassurance that would be awesome! and greatly appreciated!! Thanks!!

--Brittany

[Bucky]

Brittany,

Welcome.  It makes me sad to see so many young adults being dx'd w/Sjogren's.  We've had half a dozen or more here recently in your age group. 

Yes, many of your symptoms DO sound like Sjogren's.   There are a few things you could do now while you wait to see the Rheumy.  There are OTC products that will help your eyes and mouth.  For your eyes be sure and use preservative-free products.  It's all a personal preference as to brand . . some like one kind better than another.  I use two, Systane and GenTeal.  Also for your dry mouth there are Biotene products (toothpaste, rinse, gum, etc.).

A cool-mist humidifier will help in the bedroom to help with dryness too.

I know for myself that I HAVE to have some sort of liquid when eating or I have difficulty swallowing.

I don't have th shortness of breath so can't help you there, but I'm sure someone will come along and give you some words of wisdom.

It must be a challenging parenting responsibility caring for two young children in your husbands absence.  I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers during this trying time for you and your husband.   I thank your husband for his service.

Good luck with your doctors appointment.  Hopefully, he will be able to answer some of the mystery things that have been happening with you in recent years.  By the way . . . it's NOT in your head!! 

Bucky

[bdubs]

Bucky,
   Thank you so much for your support. I am so not used to people agreeing and understanding me that I just broke down in tears of relief while reading your response!! The last 3 1/2 years have been pretty trying between the symptoms ive been having and my husband being gone so much. This is his 2nd deployment to Iraq and I know he worries constantly about me and the kids. It has brought us some relief just being able to have a name for it all. I thank you for your prayers. It means the world to us. I'm going out to the store today to pick up some of the stuff you mentioned! I do think if my mouth wasnt such a desert i would be able to swallow more comfortably! Thanks again for everything.

---Brittany

[Scottietottie]

Hi Brittany 

Welcome to Sjogren's world.

I'm sorry you are having such a rough time and hope that you get some answers soon. Have you seen a gastroenterologist and a pulmonologist to check your esophagus and lungs? (We tend to collect a lot of ologists in here!)

Lots of people use a humidifier to ease some of the dryness.

Take care - Scottie 

[tomsmom]

I am happy you may finally have a name to put to your symptoms.  That was so important to me.  It's terrible to know something is very wrong in your body and keep getting treated like a hypochondriac.  6 months ago I was diagnosed with Sjogrens and Mixed Connective Tissue Disease/ Lupus overlap.  I know how hard it is to deal with deployments and raising kids alone all the while you're feeling bad.  My husband is about to go on yet another deployment and I'll be alone with my little ones again.  It's hard but we get through it.  Oh the shortness of breath thing-- I get that when I'm having a flare up.  I hate talking on the phone sometimes because I'm paranoid others will be aware of my breathing too.  I had a pulmonology study and am told my lungs are great.  Feel free to list any symptoms you have, even if they sound weird.  You may be surprised others have the same thing going on.  Take care and you're in my prayers!
Danni

[bdubs]

Wow! I just cant thank you all enough for the support. Yes I had an endoscopy done last month and all they found was a 2 cm hiatal hernia and acid reflux (which i already knew i had). About a year ago i went in for a Pulmonary function test and they said my results were near perfect. Its good to know that somebody else is going through the same things. I feel less and less crazy everytime i get on here and read more!! Im sorry if i sounded like "poor me" with the deployments and everything..its just been slightly stressful to deal with this while he's gone and my family is so far away . Does anybody here ever experience dizziness in relation to this? Just wondering! Thanks again to all.
-- Britt

[Katybarstool]

Hi Britt

Welcome to the family. When you come on here you will always be understood, and always in good company. You sound a very strong young woman, dealing with SJS as well as raising small children alone. I take my hat off to you.

I will also add you and your family to my prayers.

Hugs
Kathyx

[harrigan]

Brittany - just wanted to welcome you also and hope that you find some relief with some of the products recommended by people. 

You are doing a wonderful job bringing up your family while your husband serves overseas.  Thankyou. Look forward to getting to know you more, XX Ailsa

[tomsmom]

Girl don't apologize.  I am poor me everyday.  LOL  How much longer till your husband gets back?  I wish you good health!

[Patze]

Hi Britt,

Let me also welcome you to the SJS World!  Please do look around as you'll find a ton of information that you just might be looking for. 

I see that you've gotten some good information and there's not much I can add.

Hang in there and keep us updated, okay?

Take care -

Patze

[bdubs]

you guys rock! got some biotene products today... what a difference! my mouth feels clean and dare i say..slightly wet!! and just to add to the saga i came down with tonsillitis today. when it rains it pours i guess!

[Bucky]

<<to add to the saga I came down with tonsillitis today>>

Oh no . . . . . just what you needed . . . NOT!!  Hope you have some popsicles handy - they will feel good on the throat.

Take care of yourself and get some rest this weekend.

Bucky

[genko_b]

Hi Brittany and welcome.

It's good to hear that you are getting some symptomatic relief already from the products folks here have suggested. I hope you will continue to get good results as you work with the doctor.

Please thank your husband from all of us for his service in Iraq. It is not an easy job, and neither is yours, trying to take care of the kids and yourself without him at home.

Take care,

Genko

[lynnmarie219]

Hi Brittany and welcome to Sjogrens World!

Please don't ever feel that you are complaining here or apologize for letting your feelings out....that's a big part of what this great place is all about! In addition to that you can find a lot of information, friendship and support form people who really do get it! This is a safe place!

You are not crazy...its not all in your head...and I hope you get some answers and treatment for your symptoms that will help you feel better real soon!

And so many thanks sent out to both yours and Danni's  husbands for their service to our country....and to you and her as well for raising your families in their absence....may they all come home soon and safe!

[Dolly Dimples]

  Hi Brittany, and welcome!
                                             Just remember that it is this complaint that is crazy and not you !!

                                   You will get good advice and loads of comfort here. I too suffer with the dryness (everywhere,)

                                          but am not on any Meds as such, I do get Biotene Oralbalance for the mouth, and Celluvisc eye drops..

                                        Eating can be a problem, but one soon learns  from here all the tricks to ease our misery ..
                                               Stick around, and good luck with your follow up...
                                                                                                                 Regards Dolly