Sero Negative

[Deb 27]

So, the rheumatologist told me he thought I might have sjogrens but my antibody tests were negative. I did have a positive ANA and sed rate. My last rheumy where we used to live thought I had RA.

So, does your saliva get thick b/c mine is not. I have a very dry mouth, nose and other dryness. I have GERD and things get stuck in my throat unless I drink a lot when I eat.  Then, the fatigue and joint pain. It's crazy not knowing. I guess there are other tests they can do on me to see if I have this. I don't know what else I could have that is doing this.

Plaquenil seemed to help but then it stopped. They may put me on mtx.

Is anybody here on methotrexate?

Thanks so much.

[jessiblah]

Most drs will not treat you unless you have a diagnosis. I can't imagine that they would put you on methotrexate without a complete diagnosis since this is a very scary drug to be on. I am only on plaquenil but my symptoms are very similar to yours. What antibody tests were negative? Sjogren's antibodies are SS-A and SS-B. The other tests are a lip biopsy and eye exam with schirmer tear test and dye test. I never received a lip biopsy as I am not a fan of it and don't want my mouth ruined for life as i have heard bad things about this. I have the same GERD issues and things getting stuck. I can no longer eat pancakes because of it. Well unless my grandma makes them because she found a recipe that she said wouldn't be an issue for me and amazingly she was right.
The main symptoms of sjogrens are dry eye and dry mouth so I am not sure if you have dry eye but I can't imagine why a rheumatologist would jumped to thinking you have sjogrens because of the dry mouth, fatigue, and joint pain. I myself have GERD, dry mouth, dry eyes, dry everything , rashes, severe nerve pain, joint pain, fatigue, dizziness, ear pain. I started off with having numbness problems and my arm would go completely limp. My ana tested positive with a high value for sjogrens. I did not have dry eyes or dry mouth to begin with but within a year I had severe dry eyes and after 2 years i had dry mouth too. Then all of the other symptoms reared their ugly heads. I went from being a very healthy 19 year old to almost every day a 22 year old cripple.
Fibromylagia could be another cause of your issues.

[Ark mom]

I am a sero-negative.  I do not even have a positive ANA nor sed rate nor CRP.  I have no indication of any abnormality except for my horrible symptoms.   My rheumy has diagnosed me despite this.  My mouth and eyes were pretty dry, and at 39, and under no effects of any medications, he feels it is a fairly clear diagnosis.  He even told me not to do a lip biopsy.

I spent 6 months on Plaquenil (still take it) before he switched me to methotrexate due to my unrelenting joint pain and neurological symptoms.  My hair was falling out, and methotrexate wasn't working well enough, although I had significant improvement.  Now I am on arava, and the jury is still out. 

I hope you get feeling better soon.  Peace and hugs!

[eyeamdry]

Deb, I take both Methotrexate and Plaquenil among some other things.  I've been on these two for about 6 years since my SJS diagnosis.  Lucy

[Cryssann]

My daughter was negative on both Ss-A and Ss-B. But positive for AnA. Because of her symptoms he was surebit was Sjs. He told us that a positive could show up later. Is this right?