Not sure if throat or chest dryness

[runningteach]

Hi Everyone!  I am not sure if I am coming down with something, have extra dryness or something else is going on.  I have been in a flare since the middle of January.  Mostly lots of fatigue and my eyes are more irritated.  I have lupus as well as SS and doc upped my prednisone from 10 to 20mg.  Anyway, for the past few weeks I have felt a burning (not all of the time) or a tightness in my chest or throat. It is hard to explain. It is not bad, just seems like I am coming down with something but then I don't get sick.  It isn't constant.  I can breath fine and actually have no problem exercising so I don't think it is my lungs.  Do people with SS get the dryness in their throats or lungs? If I am getting sick I wish I would just get sick so I would know that is the cause of this.

Thanks for any advice you can give me!
Jeannie

[Scottietottie]

Hi Jeannie 

has your doc asked you about possible acid reflux? A lot of sjoggies get digestive problems because we don't dilute our stomach acid as much as 'normals' do.
Another possibility that comes to mind is something that happened to me. I got helicobactor-pylori and had to have antibiotics. The test for them was simple.
I'm no medica though so I think you should possibly ask your doctor about it. I'm glad its not affecting your breathing.

Take care - Scottie 

[runningteach]

Thanks for responding Scottie,
I am pretty sure it is not refliux.  It seems to be getting worse and I think it is the start of some sort of laryngitis or sinue infection, although I am not stuffed up.  I must be getting sick. Lately I have had a tough time with aches and fatigue so I thnk I am just run down.  Thanks again.

[Scottietottie]

Hi Jeannie 

I've just had another thought. My daughter was tested recently for heart problems (which thankfully she doesn't have) because she was experiencing chest pain. Having discounted the heart as the source she was dxd with costochondritis which is inflammation in the connective tissue round our ribs and things.

I hope you're not coming down with anything too bad. I hope you can rest up and feel better soon.

Take care - Scottie