HI I am a newbe too

[justpeachy]

Hi everyone,
I am new to sjogerns, at least the dx. I am wondering if I have had this disease for 15 or more years though. in 1997 I was having symptoms that resembled MS, and went through some of the tests, a brain mri showed few small spots, I got scared and didn't follow up on the other tests that were recommended. Well for the past few years I have been getting really bad with fatique, forgetfulness, pain, swelling, falling, double, blurred vision, that my gp ordered another mri of my brain, this one showed numerous small foci on both sides of the white matter in my brain, and the tec that read the mri, suggested MS as a finding as did my gp. I was referred to a neuro dr. and he wasn't convinced and wanted me to have more tests, in the meantime, my bloodwork came back from gp that I was positive for ssa and ssb antibodies, and ra factor. very  low b12, and vitamin d. The neuro repeated all blood work, and all tests came back positive for him as well. I went through another brain scan on the cerebral , no spots there, and an lumbar puncture, nothing for ms there.(thank God) so neuro thinks I have been having many small strokes and thats what the MRI spots could be. He said vasculitis can cause this. HMMMM, that doesn't sound very good either.
I am seeing a rhumatologist next friday to try to figure this out, I had never heard of sjogrens before, I was pretty convinced I had ms., or possible lupus.
my gp started me on 40 mg. of prednisone, about 4 weeks ago, and I feel way better. Prior to that I thought I might have to start walking with a cane... Pain is much better, still have alot of brain fog, and I am wondering if the prednisone is doing what it is suppose to do to keep me from having strokes. I guess this might be considered a cns symptom??? Does anyone else have abnormal brain scan with sjogrens? I have been reading some of the past posts and I feel much better knowing that what is happening to me, is pretty consistant with what is happening to the rest of you all. I was feeling like I was going crazy, or getting dementia...I am 53, and have never felt so out of control before. I feel like my own body is abandoning me. .
thanks for listening  everyone,

[SLEEPY101]

Welcome just peachy,
  I've had abnormal white matter on my MRIs. The Nuero Dr did not think it was typical to MS said that this is common with people that have Audio immune disease like Sjogrens. Nine years ago I was told that I had a many stroke also. That was when I 1st tested postive for SS-A but it was not to high and did not have any other symptoms then. The neuro at the time thought stroke might have been because of diet pill because I was only 24. My symptoms are very simular to MS but I think it is due to SJS and maybe the low B12. I am so glad you are feeling better with the prednisone. I still have brain fog but it was a lot worse when my Thyroid and B12 were low.

Visit often this is a great place to vent!

[Patze]

Hi Justpeachy,

Let me also welcome you to the SJS World and family! 

I'm so glad that you've finally been diagnosed, but I'm sorry that it took so long! 

I'm also glad to see that you find the board informative, and I sure know what you mean, often come here and just read (the rheumy is a quiet kind of guy).

Come often, and I hope to chat with you one day.

Take care of yourself -

Patze

[Joe S.]

Welcome, You will find a lot of information here.

Some of us have posted diagnosis and medications that we are on in our signature line.

[navydad]

the white spots on my brain were said to be from headaches,,, (OK)