New here with lots of questions...

[Aces67]

For years now I've suffered with Chronic constipation/IBS, fatigue, dry hair, dry skin, dry mouth, receding gums, dry eyes and upper airway issues that cause me to need a CPap machine at night. Not to mention knee pain. In the last 6 months my dry eyes have gotten worse, I have an odd thickening/overgrowth of skin on one hand and I'm having pain in my hands/fingers.

Last week my eye doctor said my TBUT time is only 3 seconds.

After reading up on TBUT and dry eyes I found that I actually seem to have a lot of Sjogrens symptoms.

I do have hypothyroidism. It is fully treated and not autoimmune.  I am 37.

Am I over thinking this or does it sound possible??

My mouth stays so dry that I'm constantly drinking something and it still doesn't help.

If I'm not over thinking it, how do I approach this with my family doctor??

[Joe S.]

Welcome to the forum. Typically it takes 7 years for a Sjogren's diagnosis. Since I am sero-negative I got my DX when I asked my Rheumy, "Dry eyes, nose, mouth, skin and A$$, What do you think it is?" SICCA/Sjogren's was his answer.

There is life after a Sjogren's DX. Management is the key to your enjoyment of that life.

Don't panic - panic increases your anxiety and that increase the pain you feel.

Breath - When you are in pain you hold your breath and that increases your pain so breath through your pain to lower your pain.

Meditation can help lower your pain levels.

Don't Drink water - Sip, Swish, and then Swallow. Drinking lots of water can make you dryer.

[Navigator]

Hi

Well the easiest way to see if there is something there is to go to your family doctor, explain your symptoms  (especially joint pain) and that you wonder if there is something autoimmune going on like SJS and ask for blood tests for inflammation (an arthritis panel which is not specific for SJS),  then those specific to SJS/Lupus (ANA, SSA, SSB etc,) and I would add in your Vit D levels (as very very low levels of Vit D can have symptoms of autoimmunity as well). It is not complicated and doesn?t require more than a vial or so of blood. It could be added to the panels he does in your regular annual checkup.

In the meantime your ophthalmologist can do a Shrimers test and if your eyes are bad enough that you require multiple eye drops during the day there is a medicine called Restasis that is an anti-inflammatory for the eyes.   The eye doctor can prescribe that if it is indicated.

Dry mouth can cause serious dental problems. Give up drying agents like alcohol, harsh toothpaste. Consider Fish Oil.  Ask your dentist what he sees going on in your mouth.  There are two med. options for increasing saliva . Evoxac and Salagen but they need a doctor to prescribe. In the current term check out Biotene products for dry mouth.  There are other brands of similar products as well.