Sjogren's Symptoms and Having A Cold

[wiccagal]

I know my Sjs  symptoms disappear when I am sick...  have a killer cold right now and my sjs is in remission!!! there has to be something in that I think... get the immune system to focus on something else and control the sjogrens....

[vasquelx]

hello fellow sjogren's sufferers!
that's exactly the point! when we get a cold or the flu our autoimmune system is off fighting a "real" enemy not us!! this is a key! there is a basis to look into this phenomenon!! because it really happens and when i have talked to those who can open up dialogue with researchers they make sounds like they will do something but they won't because doctors and those that promote meds, powders and potions to alleviate our "symptoms" are in bed with pharmaceutical company's that make those drugs that they insist on throwing at us! and some of these drug (the ones that "work") come with all kinds of side effect including the propencity to develop Mad Cow Desease!!

we are the ones who have this desease! we need to be proactive and start our own movement to get trials done in this country. France, Italy and Canada are actively involved in clinical trials, while the Sjogren's Foundation can't give you any information on the subject, even when you ask them the question directly!!

[Meleke]

some of my colds i do feel better  but most of them i have found i end up worse than the common cold. Just this last "cold" i had i ended up with a breathing machine n 2 different med in it along with my regular inhalers n meds. it was awful  but like some here i have been the only one that didn't get sick. i think it's how low ur immune system is at the time as to how it will affect you  but thats my opinion I'm new to all this too. but i was sick from Thanksgiving till after Christmas too with the start of a common cold to continue to double ammonia. Dr's couldn't get it to stop progressing for awhile n i started to worrie. now i have no definite diagnosis from all my rumy , neuro n those kinda dr's but strokes, n a def ss-a n ana testing. n they all dismissed me so i dono what to do.   i hope u find the answer cause it looks like this forum is my dr for a long time i give up.  going off the meds they have me on as i wont b able to get another prescript im sure. last resort im doing is the Cleveland Clinic for the last try  so wish me luck.

[stephL]

Maybe the immune system is diverted and targets the cold/flu virus and so our healthy tissues are not attacked and we feel better. (how sad is that? We feel good when we have a cold or flu!)

My theory is that for some unknown reason, the immune system activity drops suddenly and that allows the cold virus to take hold. You feel better because the immune system has calmed down and is functioning at a lower level of activity for a short time, not necessarily because you have a cold.

As for me, I haven't had a cold or flu for about 17 years. No virus can thrive in my dry airways.

[jazzlover]

I have not had a cold in YEARS, so I have no idea how AI symptoms will be impacted.

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Same here.

[Anne]

As this is my first post on this forum, I'd first like to say hello to all of you.

I was diagnosed with Sjögrens late September last year, on the basis of a lip biopsy. My GP referred me to a rheumy after blood tests he ran because I complained of a swollen and painful knuckle showed signs of some form rheumatoid disease. I did not have any other symptoms, but for some reason the rheumy suspected Sjögrens. It may have been because I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's thyroiditis in March of that same year.
The doctor who performed the lip biopsy said he did not think I would have Sjögrens, because I seemed to produce plenty saliva. Nonetheless, the lab tests did show signs of infiltration in the salivary glands and the rheumy concluded it was Sjögrens after all.

Now, why I am telling you all that is because I have actually had symptoms of a cold for months in a row, it must be at least half a year. My nose always feels slightly blocked and I have to blow it a few times a day. Yet, it is not as the normal colds that people get. These last a week or so and when at worst, really make you feel miserable. This is not the case with me.
It makes me wonder if my nose is not just irritated because of some Sjögrens antibodies attacking it. Could it be that I am in this very early Sjögren stage where the various glands are actually 'over-producing', rather than not functioning anymore at all? It would also explain why I produce much rather than little saliva.

From my 'thyroid experience' I know that the thyroid can sometimes initially produce way too many hormones, because of being attacked and infected by the antibodies, before finally slowing down and stop working competely. Perhaps this is also true for the glands affected by Sjögresns?

Does anyone have experience with this?

I guess I am looking to find out what I will be able to expect. I am told to be ill, to suffer from a disease, while I do not appear to be ill at all. I know I should appreciate that and be glad, but it is a bit strange to know something is wrong without knowing really what that is.

Looking forward to hearing more about your experiences.

[angielyn]

This is sorta something I can't figure out. I seem to not get sick... Or I'm always so sick I can't tell when I am sick  I also suffer with constant constipation. Well, my son and husband almost two weeks ago came down with a bug and I have to admit it was the funniest thing to watch... Them both running to see who could make it to the bathroom first lol We have been busy working on the other house to move into and it's been COLD, Rainy and down right icky outside. Everyone, but me is sick or getting sick. Hubby was just at the ER we thought he had pneumonia. UGHH We're sitting there and of course me and my chapstick... and my cough... & must have my drink by my side at all times... the Dr says, sounds like your getting sick too lol Ummm nope I'm good this is normal

My hubby was actually told he had bronchitis and Stage 1 COPD while at the ER I always kiss him, he's always drinking from my glass etc. yet I do not get sick... So confused, unless my inside critters get to the sickness since their always working so hard on me 

[oescharao]

Welcome to Sjogrens World, Anne! I just joined not too long ago. It's actually kind of strange... because your symptoms sound almost exactly like mine. I also had the random swelling in my knuckles and fingers. I was also diagnosed because of a lip biopsy I had done, even though my mouth definitely produces some saliva! I don't have a lot of other symptoms either. How strange.

As for colds, I'm going on my third week of having this cold. It's not bronchitis, but my doctor gave me an antibiotic just in case. It's lingering in my throat and hasn't improved much. I give myself wicked headaches just coughing, and coughing, and coughing. There is so much crap in my throat!

[Anne]

Hello. Thanks for your reply. I figured there must be some people who, like me, have been diagnosed in an early stage, without too many symptoms. And like me, you are also young. Admitted, I am some ten years older, but still....

When have you started your Plaquenil treatment? And does it help you?
I initially started with 400mg a day, which rapidly helped me to get rid of my inflamed knuckle. After two months, my rheumy therefore decided to lower the dose to 200mg a day.
Now, only some vague symptoms remain vaguely present. I do feel tired, cannot concentrate (but always think it is just because I find my job boring), and I get brief pains in some of my joints every now and then.

Have you started the antibiotics already? And has it improved your situation?