Sjogrens question

[tsharrard]

Some may have read in a previous message that my trip to the rheumy was horrible. I quickly found another doctor, he is a physical medicine doctor. he treats all illness related to neurological and muscloskeletal diseases. I chose him because my GP ran some blood work and all the blood work came back normal indicating I have no AI disease. Well, many of you know that this is not always the case. ANyway, one of the things that seemed to have gotten better, is my dry eyes,, i did have puctal plugs put in, which i think has helped. Now I am wondering if I even have sjogrens, that my GP suspects, because as long as i dont talk much and drink alot my mouth is not as dry. It comes and goes. Although I have a sore under my tongue in the back near my salivary gland, and I have been havin pain and mild swelling right under the sore and in my ear and down my neck. I have quite a round face so swelling is felt deep. I am curious if this could be a symptom of SJS.

Secondly, I was diagnosed after many normal MRIs and spinal taps being normal,, with benign MS about 8 years ago,, I have not had any major problems since then. IN fact i just assumed that the doctor was wrong. I had a recent MRI due to loss of memory and a period of time that I lost. I was checked for stroke or a seizure. All negative,, thank God. But the neuro said there was one spot on the MRI but nothing to concern myself with. What I didnt tell them at the time,, because I was MS symptom free, that I had been diagnosed with Benign MS, and this would have been considered a change in my MRI over a period of years. I am now having MS symptoms and did call the neurology group to get a copy of my records since I have moved and seeing a different neurology group.
Now could the sjogrens, if I have it, be related to the benign MS? I am also one of those type patients that is often looked at as being a neurotic hyperchondriac. Because my tests usually come back normal or borderline.

My GP is also in the process of weaning me off the antidepressant i have been on for 3 years and placing me on Cymbalta, because he is wondering if I could have fibromyalgia and also because the current medicine can make the dry eyes and mouth worse.

A new symtpom that i have been having is severe itching but it seems like the itch is under the skin,, it drives me nuts,, it is almost like someone is taking a feather and lightly tickling me all over my body. What is up with this,, it can be very annoying. and my body temperature is running low,, it can drop enough to the point where i began shaking. It is between 97.5 -97.00 when it gets arounf 97 I get the shakes and i seemed to not be able to get warm.
Sorry this is so long, but any feedback will be appreciated.

[Pooh]

Teresa,
Please keep in mind I am not a doctor nor a nurse and I never have been.  However, I have to ask, have you ever been checked for thyroid problems.  That would be the only thing I can think of for the itching and temperature changes. 

Let us know if your doctors iron this out for you.

Pooh

[Scottietottie]

Hi Teresa 

SjS and MS can have similar symptoms. Stay strong in the face of a doc that accuses you of hypochondria. Don't believe them and don't let them get you down!!

An underactive thyroid can certainly cause people to have a low temerature and make people feel permanently cold. Itching should be investigated too because it could indicate liver problems. However - I'm NOT medical - and that is NOT a dx!! 

Take care - Scottie 

[JannaLee]

There is an article on the front page of the most recent Sjogren's Foundation newsletter, "Moisture Seekers" about the importance of discerning between MS and Sjogren's Syndrome.  Apparently they mimic each other and can be difficult to diagnose which you have.  Treatment for one (if you have the other) can be bad for you.

I don't have the newsletter anymore but I think you can read it on their website.

Janna