Any females in their 20's that have been diagnosed?

[Mari]

Hi Marie,

i am 32 years old and diagnosed Feb. 09. When i look back i now realize that i have had mild symptoms for at least 7-8 years. I have 3 children all of which were born full term but only weighed 5lbs each (Induced labor b-cuz of very low anmiotic fluid during my pregnancies ) i am convinced that i have had sjogrens for many years but never knew it. It has not been until recently that my symptoms have become a big problem and i am trying to control and hopefully get rid of this flare. Although i am not as young as u, ur not alone. I am sorry u have sjogrens.

[jessica1104]

Hey, I'm 25 and was diagnosed last year.  My first symptom was my eye flares and those began when I was 22.  I have always had dry skin and had juvenile arthritis as a child.  I now have rheumatoid.  I do not have the dry mouth as of right now.  I am on Restasis and Plaquenil. My body has no problem with the plaquenil but it has not helped my fatigue nor my eye flares.  My eyes are flaring 80 percent of the time.  Is this normal?  I put in probably 50+ drops a day and have to do cold compresses.  My vision is blurry and it is all so tiring.

[tmarie0183]

50 drops a day? I'm sorry but that sucks big time!! ( I know real supportive)  My eyes have just recently started getting a lot drier and it is SO annoying.  I have horrible vision and I really don't want to lose ability to wear contacts cuz I hate wearing glasses!  I'm on plaquenil and low dose zoloft and at first it did wonders for my fatigue, but not anymore   My left leg is also always numb/weak.  It's all very frustrating and at times I forget I have this disease and probably overdue it, but I just hate having to "limit" myself.  I just want my old self back, but I guess it could always be worse.  Have you talked to your doctor about how bad your eyes are?  Maybe there is something else they can do for you.  Good luck!

[Lacey1981]

I was dx last year at 27. However, I think I've had sjs since my teens. I too would always be in bed early. all my friends would be out doing things and i would be home in bed as the "old lady". I also had lots of joint pain which was always just chalked up to "growing pains" I've been very lucky that I've never had really severe symptoms up until the flare that caused me to be dx. even after that flare my symptoms are largely in remission. Right now I'm struggling w/ fatigue but I think that is due to having a 3 week old baby that eats every 3 hours round the clock

[tmarie0183]

Awww congrats on the baby!!  Hopefully all of your symptoms will stay in remission!!

[windsey728]

Hello, I am 27 and I was diagnosed almost 2 years ago with Sjogrens.  I have shown symptoms for years now.  After I had mono in high school, I suffered from chronic fatigue and was sleeping in class alot and taking naps every day after school.  After I had my first son at 19...I was diagnosed as having CFS.  After I had my daughter I was slowly going down hill at 22 and at about 24 my parotid and salivary glands and lymph nodes swelled up and had all over pain and was diagnosed with fibroymlagia.  Well fibro doesnt cause gland swelling...after several doctors FINALLY i was diagnosed with Sjogrens.  I am taking Plaquenil and I am going down hill really fast.  Sjogrens has caused me to develop gastritis and colitis. Arthritis has no developed and I spending more time in bed or on the toilet because of colitis.  I go to the rheumy on Tuesday...probably time for methotrexate.  I also never had a positive SSA/B anitboties in my blood, I had a parotid gland biopsy to diagnose the Sjogrens....You are not the only 20 something mom here with Sjogrens!  I also have hypothyroidism and PCOS...

[DragonflyC]

I'm 33.  I was diagnosed last spring, but I've had symptoms since my teens.