New to group

[wally]

Hi, I am new and excited to find a group that encourages those suffering from Sjogren's Syndrome.
I have been recently diagnosed this past year with Primary Sjogren's and I am on plaquenil, cymbalta, restasis, and protonix among
others. I believe I have had this for nearly 10 years. I am almost 44, married for 21 years, and have 3 sons ages 18, 16 and 12.
I home school the younger two boys while my 18 year old attends college nearby. My biggest problem has been the extreme
fatigue and my doctor is considering putting me on methotrexate in January if the fatigue does not get better.
Looking forward to getting to know you all better and learning from other who live with Sjogren's daily. 

[Bucky]

Hi Wally,

Welcome to your new sjoggie family.     There is a lot of information on this forum and members from literally, around the world.  I hope you find this site helpful to you in your Sjogren's journey.  We're all on the same road - some have been here longer and some are new.  We learn from each other.   

Bucky

[lynnmarie219]

Hi Wally and welcome to Sjogrens World!

I'm glad that you found us and hope you find this site helpful. It's a safe and friendly place full of information, support, and friendship! Take your time to read all that you can and ask any questions that come up...someone will always be around to help out if they can!

As far as the fatigue...oh yes..there are many here who can relate to that one! I personally take the prescription medication called provigil for this and it has been my lifesaver and allowed me to keep working full time! Its a personal decision on how you deal with each of your symptoms and that is between you and doctor...I hope you have a doc that you feel comfortable with, can trust, and who listens to you!

[Patze]

Hi Wally,

Let me also welcome you to the SJS World!  Please do look around the board when you have some time, as I'm sure that you'll find a ton of topics that just might interest you.

As the others said, this is a very friendly board, oodles of great members to boot!  And always remember, if you can find it in the old topics, don't be bashful, just ask as there is usually someone about that might be able to help.

Again, welcome, and take care -

Patze

[Chickpea]

Hi Wally and welcome from me too!

I think you'll find some good friends here and also lots of helpful information.  We have a lot of fun too!

It's interesting to hear that you think you've had SjS for 10 years.  Lots of us here find that symptoms we thought were just us - or related to age, or stage of life - are actually SjS symptoms.  It's such a relief to find other people who understand.  We also help each other when we're adjusting to new meds so if you do start Methotrexate I'm sure people here will be able to offer advice.  Are you on Prednisolone?  That helps lots of us with the fatigue and also with the inflammation and pain in joints and muscles.

Do you enjoy home schooling?  I home schooled my sons when they were 7 and 9 but just for the two years we were living abroad in Zimbabwe.  Once we returned to England they went to school but I wish I'd continued.  I then home educated my daughter from 12-16 because she was being badly bullied at school.  We had a wonderful time and again I wished I'd done it earlier.  Sixth form college - for 16-18 year olds - was great for all my children but the earlier years were not so good.

Keep posting and let us know how you are.

Take care - Chickpea

[Scottietottie]

Hi Wally 

welcome to Sjogren's world.  Plaquenil can take anything up to six months to really 'kick in'. I found it was a big help with fatigue so i hope it helps you too.

Hope you find the site useful. It's certainly friendly and supportive.

Take care - Scottie 

[JannaLee]

Hi Wally, welcome to the family!

I was diagnosed at age 46 (now 48) with Primary Sjogren's and have 2 sons... so we have a lot in common.

I look forward to knowing you better!

Janna

[wen.uk]

Hi Wally
and a big welcome to the group.  Fatigue can be a horrendous part of this illness so my commiserations, I've taken plaquenil for a while now and this does seem to help, so I hope it helps you too.

I hope you find a lot of support, information and friendship from the group.
Wen x