Two glands are not working

[Gonzo]

So, the first step is taken. I have been to the Sjogren Centre today. Had a blood test again and salivary gland research. Where I was startled. because the two glands by my ears are not working anymore. Only the gland under my tongue still produces saliva. And the crazy thing is that I have a bit of a dry mouth, but not that bad that I would have gone for that to a doctor. Anyone recognize this?
I may return in three weeks and then I have an appointment with the oral surgeon, ophthalmologist and the rheumatologist. I am very curious to know what those are going to say, because in my blood is never found ana. I am quite startled today because I have always thought that it is not perhaps sjogren. But maybe I should nevertheless start believe it is ...

Take care!
Gonzo

[eye2dry]

Hi Gonzo.

How did they determine  that the glands in front of your ears weren't working? Did you have any discomfort with them? You say you have enough saliva without them working?

Why are you seeing an oral surgeon?

eye2dry

[Gonzo]

I got two pistons (is that the correct word?) on both glands that absorb all the saliva. And the saliva under my tongue was getting sucked up. The pistons have 20 minutes sucked but there was none saliva. When they were done they re-posted to exclude that they misplace something and they put every 30 seconds something acid in my mouth to stimulate that the saliva was created. And those two glands still did nothing.
And I have some trouble with my mouth. I have a dry tongue with many cracks and I can not brush my teeth with mint. And I drink a lot. But I find that not so much trouble. I have more burden of the fatigue and pain. Thats what I meant by saying not so much trouble.
In three weeks I see the oral surgeon. Did you have a test like I had today? I went to an university hospital with a special group specilized in Sjogrens. This kind of test, they only do there. I had to drive for two hours to get to that hospital. For us, that's a lot', American's think differently about driving two hours ;-)

Thanks for your interest eye2dry!
Gonzo

[Gonzo]

O, and I forgot, I also have 6 kroner (things over my theeth that ar very expensive ;-) and next week number 7 is coming up. Now I'm thinking, this is perhaps due to the few saliva...

[eye2dry]

Your kroners sound alot like what we call "crowns". Yes, I believe many sjogren people have deteriorating teeth.

I have never had a test that measures saliva made by your glands. My mouth dryness is not really too bad compared to what others put up with. Fatigue, some joint pain and once terribly red, sore gritty dry eyes but now....that seems to have let up.

Just to let you know.......your being Dutch and saying you don't speak English that good....HA, I think you are very good and I am always impressed by people that speak more than one language.


eye2dry

[Gonzo]

Ofcourse @eye2dry, its crowns, thank you. And thank you for your kind words. When I sudied political science, all the books were in english (and sometimes in german) but that was a real long, long time ago ;-)
And my symptoms that trouble me are the same as yours: fatigue and joint pain.
Hope you had a good weekend!
Gonzo