Sjogrens Flare?

[Lainer]

Hello all,
I was diagnosed with sjogren's in January of this year. My rheumatologist decided not to use any medication to help halt my symptoms. I take some recommended supplements and pain medication.
How do you recognize a flare? For the past five weeks I've had a laundry list of abnormal symptoms. For the first 2 weeks I could not get out of bed in the morning. I literally couldn't keep my eyes open long enough to wake up. Thankfully I was on vacation from work through most of that time. I am still very tired but can get out of bed and going now.  At the same time as the fatigue started I got a cold sore. Five weeks later it hasn't healed. After the second week my lymph nodes swelled on the same side of my face as the cold sore leaving a small lump. I saw a dr after three weeks that said the sore is ok and will heal and that the lymph node is drainage from the cold sore. A few days later I got my first ever boil. Thankfully I went to the clinic straight away and was able to use antibiotics to heal the infection and didn't to have the boil lanced. I took amoxicilin as I've never had an issue in the past but had an allergic reaction to the med. I went back and was given a new script which healed the boil. A couple of days later I got a cold. I haven't had just a cold in two years. Then on Saturday I woke up with pink eye which should be cleared up by now but isn't.  Through all of this along with the cold sore that won't heal I have angular chilitis that won't quite clear up on that side of my mouth. Should I be contacting my rheumatologist?

[Liz D.]

Lainer,

Definitely see your rheumatologist!  It sure sounds like you are in a flare.  The rheumatologist would know better how to treat you. The medicine Plaquenil has helped many of us to lead much better lives.  I sure hope you can get some help!

Also for the angular chelitis, try some fungal cream from the drug store and put it on the corners of your mouth.  It is the only thing that helped mine?

Liz D.

[Lainer]

Hi! Thank you for your response.  I am definitely calling my rheumatologist. They're back from  vacation today . I've been using an over the counter antifungal cream that usually clears up angular chilitis very quickly so I'm wondering if I just need a prescription this time. But I've got a list of questions for my rheumatologist including the above. Anyway..thanks again.

[Nomad]

Ive had freakish bouts of fatigue off and on. They usually are accompanied by body aches. One neurologist insists I have fibromyalgia. Another thought I might. My new gp thinks I might, even though I never mentioned what the others said. I always dismissed it because my rheumatologist went nutso when I asked him years ago.
Lately, I'm thinking I probably actually do have "fibro." It might be something for you to look in to.
The fatigue I get starts with not being able to get out of bed in the morning...it is EXTREME.

[Lainer]

I've wondered about fibro too. I've got an appt with my rheumatologist next week and I will be sure to add the possibility of fibro to my list of questions.  Thank you for the advice