New to this, some questions

[LindsC]

I was diagnosed with sjogren's about 4 months ago, and also with what my doctor called "borderline" lupus. After learning more about it, I've wondered if I was misdiagnosed because I never noticed having the dryness problems. I wear contacts, so I always blamed them for the slight dry eye problems. I read the other posts about this and was glad to know that I'm not the only one!
I have been having some other symptoms and wonder if they are related to Sjogren's.. lately I've been getting random sharp, stabbing pains in my upper back(between my shoulder blades) and it starts to feel like it's going through my chest too. It only lasts about 30 minutes but for that 30 minutes I can't move without feeling like I have a knife through my back. The first time I started getting dizzy and thought I was going to pass out from the pain. It's horrible, and I have no idea what it is. Of course, I jump to conclusions and get scared that it's something more serious than it may be. I plan on getting it checked out but wondered if anyone else has had this kind of thing? I'm not on any medications right now, but my symptoms (fatigue, pain, achiness...) have been getting worse every day so I will probably be prescribed to something at my next dr appt. I'm only 22 years old, so being diagnosed with something like this has been pretty scary, but it's so nice to know that there are others who feel the same way. 

[Scottietottie]

Hi LindsC 

Welcome to sjogren's world. I actually have lupus bloodwork but Sjogren's symptoms and have been dxd with a lupus/sjogren's overlap. As far as I can see many symptoms of both diseases overlap and the treatment is the same for both, plus alleviation of symptoms.

Getting the dx is pretty scary but having a 'label' sometimes vindicates things that have been gping on for a long time - before diagnoses. We are the same people after the label as we were before the label!

Anyway - I hope you find our site useful. It's certainly friendly and supportive.

Take care - Scottie 

[lynnmarie219]

Hi LindaC and welcome to Sjogrens World!

I would not venture at all to guess about the stabbing pains you are experiencing as your doctor is the best one to talk to about that. Please do let him/her know about this symptom so it can be checked out.     

I'm glad you found the site here and hope you are able to read through the posts and join in chats to get some of your questions and concerns answered. If you cant find some information your looking for...just go ahead ask....someone will always come along and try to help out. This is a friendly and safe place to get information, support, and friendship!

Welcome!   

[YYC_ Mommy]

Welcome!

There is so much information here and so many wonderful people!

I use to wear contacts all the time until 9 months ago when I just could not anymore, it just hurt to much. I ended up have lesions on my eyes from the dryness which I am hopeful will get better. Maybe some day I wil try the contacts again but I am just hoping that they are able to heal and be less painful.

As for your stabbing pains, is is certainly hard to know if this would be from Sjogren's. I would get it checked out by your doctor. I do know that I had something similar, terrible pain in my back by my shoulder blade, mostly on the right side. It hurt so bad and then kind of felt like it went into my chest. So far with any of the testing that I have had done this particular pain as been thought to be issues with my gallbladder. Still awaiting the final word with some results on Monday, but so far this seems like the way my GI doctor is leaning.

I hope that you are able to find the answers for your pain and again WELCOME!

[JannaLee]

Hi Linds, it's nice to make your acquaintance~!

I'm another one with Sjogrens/Lupus overlap and very sorry you've got it too. 

Your stabbing pains should be evaluated especially because they are so severe.  If the pains are not related to your lungs there is a chance the doc will tell you they are NOT related to AutoImmune disease, but you may realize over time they actually ARE related.

This type of thing is fairly common with autoimmune stuff and usually because the doc has ruled out every other cause. 

Please come back to this thread and let us know what you find out?

Welcome and wishing you well,
Janna

[DragonflyC]

Could you have pleurisy?  Whenever I have a bout, it always starts by feeling like back pain.  Do you have any trouble or pain when you breathe?  Does it hurt more when you move and less when you're still?  Is the pain becoming more constant?  Pleurisy is an inflammation of the lung tissue; it's associated more with lupus, but it happens w/ SJS, too.  It's quite painful, but not usually dangerous. 

The fact that your pain only last 30 minutes plus recovery time makes me think it might not be pleurisy, but the the kind of pain and your diagnoses made me want to at least suggest it as a possibility.

[LindsC]

Thank you so much, everybody. I will definitely let you know what the doctor says, I am hoping to see her this week. I haven't had any of the back pain today, but it usually starts more in the evening. Thanks again! It is so nice to have support from people who know what it's like!

[Patze]

Hi LindsC,

Let me also welcome you to the SJS World and family!  Please do peruse the board as there are tons of topics that you just might find interesting!  And let's not mention the scads of wonderful members that are here either, just our little secret!

I often get stabbing pains now and then throughout my body, and the rheumy kind of shrugs his shoulders, and didn't say much about it.  I always thought that it might be associated with fibro, but it could also be because of SJS, I just don't know.  Hopefully a more knowledgeable member will stop by soon with more information for us.

Again, welcome!

Take care of yourself -

Patze

[navydad]

 I get that too,, I am just so tired of  telling the doctors everything anymore,, it just means more inthe way of (TEST),,,,,

[Suzie]

Hi there,

I also get terrible stabbing pain between my shoulder blades. In me, it's acid reflux (GERD). It's horrible, searing, burning pain, just like I've got a meat cleaver thrust in there. It started as a weird ache that came and went, jabbing.

People with reflux seem to usually feel it the the chest at the front, but some of us have a weird physiology! It can be hard to pinpoint the source of pain, because it can often get referred and felt several inches away from the cause.
It's worth asking your doc if it could be reflux.

I hope you get relief from your pain and worry ASAP,

Suzie

[shevonne]

I sometimes get pain in my left shoulder blade and it tingles like a numbness.  I have no idea what it is though.  Maybe I will find some answers with your question to the forum.  I hope you feel better soon!

[JannaLee]

Shevone,
I get the periodic tingle in my rt shoulder blade which I usually reflexively scratch.  I assume it's neuropathy.  It hasn't progressed to stabbing yet, but my toes sure have.

Janna