I THINK I HAVE SJORGRENS PLEASE HELP

[jonnell]

Read the post called " only one without pain" by Babs659

[ryno104]

thank you,  i don't see alot of people with swollen parotid glands on here does that just subside once you have had it a while.

[Dolly Dimples]

Welcome Ryno
  Re your query,
No not all of us suffer with pain,   I don't have much pain myself , but if I go mad with jobs then sometimes i get upper back pain and under ribcage swellling.  but SS is associated more with arthritis and rhuematic pains, and of course a whole lot more issues..

         Please read the posts here, there are all kinds of problem people here.. You will learn more here and probably come to a much conclusive answer to your own symptoms.. I too  have the gritty eyes, dry mouth  nose, skin, nails and even genital areas,   I'm sometimes a little sore at glands under chin bone..
Also suffer regularly with sweats and chills,
One does get depressed, but one learns to carry on and even enjoy life.. Keep looking for a good doctor, and  as   Erin suggests see an Ophthalmologist, it's a good place to start..  Good Luck Dolly

[ryno104]

thank you,  it sounds like i am lucky to only have what i have which is the taste, swelling,and my eyes

[ErinG]

Ryno,

I don't have much pain.  I occasionally have pain in my hips and knees but it has gotten better since I was diagnosed and started a number of new drugs (I think from the Plaquenil).  I have had swollen parotid glands in the past, but not recently.  The swelling usually went away after several days.  I've read in other posts that sucking on sour candies helps because it stimulates saliva flow.  I chew sugar-free gum a lot to help keep my mouth from getting over-dry, and I use Biotene toothpaste for dry mouth too.  I didn't lose my sense of taste,  but I did notice a change in how things taste as my mouth got drier.  I was much more sensitive to spicy foods.

Many people in here have other diseases in addition to Sjogren's (neuropathy, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, etc.), and pain is associated with those diseases as well.

[ryno104]

well my swelling has been going on like for 6 weeks,  i have had a cellular biopsy and nothing,  but my taste sounds like yours.   well i guess i am just going to go get a specific blood test done for sjogrens.  i just got back from my optomotrist and he said that my eyes do not appear to be like that of a person with sjogrens. 

[dbab]

Hi ryno,  I would suggest an Ophthalmologist, not an Optometrist in getting answers for your dry eye.  I have an Optometrist as well as an Ophthalmologist and my optometrist admits to not knowing much about Sjogren's.  Is there any way you can see one without a referral?  If not, you may need to get with your doc on getting a referral.

[Redetha1]

I was diagnosed by my ENT (Ear, Nose, Throat) doctor.  That is who I go to when my parotid glands are swollen. He has told me to come in as soon as possible when they start swelling.  He gives me medicine so I can stop infection.  Have you tried another doctor when your glands are swollen?  Good luck and keep posting!  Hugs, Redetha

[ryno104]

yes i have been to 2 different eye nose and throat doctors they say i have no infection based off my biopsy,  and as far as my optomotrist,  he has alot of patients that have sjogrens and he said my eyes looked fine so i guess i will have to keep searching,  i sure do thank all of you for your answers,  what medication can i take for swollen parotids.

[Patze]

Hi ryno,

Let me also welcome you to the SJS World!  Please peruse the board as there are tons of topics and oodles of information that you might find interesting.

El Centro, eh?  I've been there a time or two!  Nice town.

You mention that you've seen an optometrist, but have you seen an ophthalmologist?  The optometrist I used to see noticed that my eyes might be dry, but was decent enough to send me to an ophthalmologist, and he diagnosed my dry eyes.  These are a couple of dry eye sites that I read, and they have some good info.

http://www.allaboutvision.com/conditions/dryeye.htm
http://www.dryeyezone.com/

I also have a lot of pain, but I also have fibro among other things, so there's no telling were that comes from, but it's not to bad these days.

I can't speak of swollen parotids, as I've not have that particular symptom, and I feel for you, that's got to be painful.  Hang in there as I hope a more knowledge able  member will stop by and give you some good info soon.

Take care -

Patze