I cried in front of my doctor yesterday for the first time

[Livvie2]

I attended a Sjogren's meeting in California a few weeks ago, and a woman said she cried in her doctor's office because they finally put a label on what has been going on with her.  She'd been suffering alone with it for years.

Anita,

Before I read your post, I was feeling happy reading the two posts before yours because I'm negative on those two tests.  Thank you for the information regarding your experiences (which I'm sorry you are having to go through).

Although it would be wonderful to think if we are negative on the SSA and SSB's that we will have a milder case, since this is not true, it is better to not have our symptoms discounted. Your post was very helpful and it's empowering for those of us who might get the runaround from doctors because we tested negative on some of the tests.

Livvie2

[sleeeepy]

Hello, I agree with this because when the doc said that I am lucky because there are no inflammation markers in my blood, I thought to myself MY GOD!!...I can barely function now..what in the heck am I going to do when there are markers in my blood .  So, I think there is another reason for being sero negative besides level of inflammation....because i am in alot of pain and sero negative.  Maybe it could be dependent on what parts of the body is inflamed???  I don't know why we are sero negative and feeling soooo horrible.  I think that is half the reason I cried..just felt so hopeless...hoping Rheumy doesn't say well you are seronegative...not sure what is wrong with you.....like I have been hearing for the past 15 years.  I have waited for soooo long to see a Rheumy and this one is said to be really good...if he can't help me, I have no other options to go anywhere else because of my horrible insurance and lack of funds to pay cash for anyone else. They need to figure out what seperates those of us that are seronegative with those that are positive because it might help them understand more about the disease itself and hopefully find a cure instead of a symptom masker.  Any other thoughts?  Thanks...Mary

[bloodless]

Hugs, back pats and an angel tissue to wipe your tears. We've all been there. Nothing to be ashamed of.

[dbaratta]

There's no shame in counseling and sometimes it actually helps when you're having trouble "sorting things out".  I'm sero negative with huge complications, on and off mild and severe depression/anxiety and it only took about 6 years to get to a true diagnosis!  After looking like a neurotic for about 3 years they actually started looking at SS and finally got to it with a positive lip biopsy.  Anyway, I guess my point is, depression is part of this illness and there's no shame in finding the right people to "talk you in off the ledge".   Diane

[anita]

Mary,

One day they will know what SSA & SSB really mean and maybe even have a better test (simple blood test) to diagnose us without a lot of question marks.  Until that time, just make sure ALL you symptoms are addressed and that you're comfortable with the docs overseeing your care. 

I'm sure everyone of us have cried at some point, whether it's from the unknown, getting the diagnosis, the brush off from the docs, or just the pain itself.  I can honestly say that I don't any one of my doctors would think less of me if I were to cry in front of them.  That hasn't always been the case, but now I have some good doctors and I turst each of them.  Sounds like you were comfortable enough with your internist to let her see just what you feel on the inside as well as outside.  They need to know this.  I'm sort of proud of you for letting your true feelings show.

Keep us posted,

Anita

[Suzy]

Don't feel bad, Mary. Shoot - seems like I get teary everytime I go to a doctor now and have to go through my long list of problems. I'm not really a crier, but they are tears of frustration. Anna, I am with you on trying not to show emotion now. My GP is very nice, but after a particularly bad month of mysterious ailments I cried in her office and she very gently suggested anti-anxiety meds. Mind you, I was there with a giant red swollen ankle. Needless to say, I didn't take the meds. I'm sorry but I think anyone would be stressed if their ankle looked like mine and they never found out why!