I'm new

[Lynne]

Hi everyone,

I'm new to Sjogrens World.  I am a 59 year old grandma who up until a year ago worked out everyday for decades until the fatigue took over.  I was diagnosed in December, 2008 and I'm still trying to deal with all of this.  The more I read, the more I realize that I have or had so many symptoms pretty much my entire adult life.  On top of dry eyes, dry mouth, joint pain, fatigue, etc., etc., I have been dealing with ankle pain which my rheumy says is not related to Sjogrens.  (I'm on Lyrica and Celebrex - and I was on Methotrexate for several months which my rheumy stopped in June because I got a chronic cough which he said was a side effect of the Metho.  I can't take Pacquenil because it makes me sick.)  On top of the pain, stiffness, and fluid in my ankles, I suffer so with cramping in my toes and feet and sometimes in my calves every night when I go to bed.  I got about 2-3 hours of sleep last night because of the cramping.  I've been to an orthopedic surgeon whose expertise is ankles.  He gave me a shot in the ankle joint which gave me relief for about 20 hours.  I have another appointment with the orthopedic surgeon on July 30.  Does anyone out there have these type of ankle problems?  Is it Sjogrens-related or something else?  Thanks for any help you can give me.

[Bernice]

Hi Lynn,

Welcome to the site!
I too am a new member, hope you find it here to be the blessing I have come to know it to be, even in such a short time. The info. you will find here is better than most "SPECIALIST" have to offer, after all who better than someone personally going through it, then mulitply that by the many!!??
Lynn about the leg/ angle pains and discomforts? Yesss! Me too!

Peace & Be Blessed!
Bernice

[ohiolady]

Lynne,

Hi and welcome.  I'm a 54 y/o grandma who was very active and I thought very healthy until just about 3 years ago.  It really does hit you hard, doesn't it?  I was very sick the first year and a half but have gradually started to feel better.  One of the most important things I've learned is not to push yourself too much.  Cut the stress and rest as much as possible.  It just has to become a way of life.  I still exercise by walking and I've gone back to Curves after two six months leave of absence.  I don't push myself but I'm still exercising.

There was a recent discussion on Fish Oil.  My rheumatologist prescribes it and the first rheumatologist I saw said their group of doctors have every patient on 3000mg of Fish Oil and 1000 mg Vitamin D.  It is great for keeping inflammation down.  With that said, I never had foot and ankle pain until Sjogrens.  I know that I'm very fortunate that my pain comes and goes.  

There is a lot of useful information on the boards.  You can google almost any topic and view a discussion.

Welcome again.

Anna

[Dolly Dimples]

  Welcome Lynne,

 I don't suffer ankle pain , but I would never rule out anything , which  couldent be attributed to  SS.  It seems to hit some people with every complaint going, and then others who just have a few symptoms.
  I do get the cramping toes and leg cramp at times, along with swollen ribcage and the upper back pain.

  The ankle problem could be from Arthritis, which definately goes along with SS.

   You will probably get more replies to your thread from some who are in a worse state than I , who will answer some of your worries.
                                      Stay with us ,   Dolly.x

[beverly jane]

 Welcome  lynn... you sound just like me.  And yes for the past 4 months I have lots of trouble with ankle pain.   

[Scottietottie]

Hi Lynne 

Welcome to Sjogren's world. SjS is a very individual disease and doesn't seem to manifest itself in the same way with any two individuals. A lot of docs never seem to 'join the dots'. Lots of stuff can go along with it.

I hope you find the site useful. It's certainly friendly!

Take care - Scottie 

[Lynne]

Thank you to everyone who responded.  It's good to hear from you all and I appreciate all your input. 

[lynnmarie219]

Hi and welcome to Sjogrens World Lynne from another Lynn! 


Ahhh yes..ankle pain..I do know about that one! One of my original complaints that led to a diagnosis was joint pain including my ankles....anti inflammatory medication and physical therapy throughout the years have helped with that...but it acts up as my body flares or is tired, stressed, etc!

I also have had severe ankle pain over the last year or so and found that my Achilles tendon had microscopic tears in it (found in an MRI)  and then I had inflammation around that which caused a lot of pain...I was in a boot for months and then graduated to a plastic AFO brace after Physical Therapy.....it has helped but I still have pain in the area depending on what I do for the day. I don't wear the brace anymore everyday, but I still have it if the pain becomes bad (but I hate to wear anything on my feet...so the brace is a LAST resort now).

As far as the cramping....have you had your thyroid checked? I have cramping in my legs and feet very badly when my thyroid levels are higher than they should be....when my doc increased my meds (levothyroxine)...the cramping was greatly decreased. Just my experience...talk to your doc!

[Crabcakes]

Hi Lynne... I'm pretty new here too and have found this forum to be a goldmine of collective experiences! I don;t have a lot of ankle pain, but I do feel sort of numb in the ankles and feet! I'm a 56 year old grandmother who also used to be in good health. I'm becoming a couch potato as I have no energy or, worse, to me, no motivation to get moving, It just is too much trouble. I know some exercise would do me good, but have been unable to make myself! Darn, I feel like I am getting so lazy.

I just prefer to stay home and do as little as possible. When I do get a burst of energy, I do housework, or some small repairs like painitng my front door.

See you around here!