Hello from Ohio

[AllisonG7299]

Hello, my name is Allison and I live in the Columbus, Ohio area.  I haven't really researched Sjogren's in years.  I was diagnosed in 2000 @ the age of 22.  So if you are doing your math, I am 33.  I am the mother of 2 children ages 11 and 7.  It all started with my face swelling when I was in high school about the age of 16.  My doctors gave me antibiotics and sent me on my way.  I got pregnant with my son and had an easy pregnancy, no issues.  I was told I wasn't very big so my OB/GYN wanted to induce me at 38 weeks.  I had only gained 22lbs with him.  Austin was born in July of 1999 weighing 6lbs 2ozs.  When he was a week old leasions showed up on his face and torso.  After several visits to the Dr, we learned in Sept 1999, Austin had neonatal lupus.  That started all the chain of events and testing.  Finally in June 2000 I was diagnosed.  Lately my legs and feet have been swelling like crazy, also added to the swelling would be red blotchy looking bumps that itched like crazy.  It makes it very uncomfortable to walk.   Just wondering if anyone else experiences these symptoms. 

Well can't wait to learn a lot more about Sjogren's!!

[Joe S.]

Welcome AllisonG7299. I hope your children are doing well and you too. There is a lot of information on this web site. Some of us have put our medication in our signature to help others do their own research.

[AllisonG7299]

Thanks Joe...so far my Rheumy doesn't want to put me on anything till I start feeling worse and I am all for it.  I know its coming though.  :-)

[AllisonG7299]

Oh and my kids are healthy as can be!!  :-)  Pray they stay that way!!!

[Joe S.]

I am unable to take meds for this so I use alternatives and supplements.

[Patze]

Hi Allison,

Let me also welcome you to the SJS World and family!  I'm glad that you've been diagnosed and that your rheumy is watching you; can't tell you how many members have had to wait several years before finally being diagnosed.

I'll also keep my fingers crossed that you'll never develop any symptoms, there are some here that never have. 

I'm also glad to hear that your children are doing well, especially after your son's diagnosis.

Have you had a chance to check out the ethers here?  You'll find a ton of information on just about everything SJS, and so much more!  Shucks, you'll often find me there as I learn so much from the wonderful members here (the rheumy is the quiet kind).  You can access it by using the search engine located in the upper left hand side of this page.

Again, welcome, and I hope to be able to chat with you soon.

Take care of yourself -

Patze

[Cheryl]

Welcome, Allison!  We look forward to getting to know you.   I hope your troubles with Sjs are all in the past.  It's great to hear that your children are healthy!
Take care,
Cheryl

[Bucky]

Hi Allison - welcome to your new Sjoggie family from a former Buckeye herself (Eastern suburb of Cleveland).   

As Patze mentioned, if there is a certain topic/subject you are interested in, put those key words in the search box and it will bring up previous threads and discussions about it.

As is the case for most, some sort of "dryness" is what sends us to the doctor in the first place.  If you don't have any dryness of your eyes or mouth that is a huge blessing.  Some times, people don't realize they have the dryness because it has sort of become the "norm" and we adjust.  If your eyes get itchy and feel gritty if you put some preservative free drops in them, they will feel so much better.

If you develop a lot of dental issues - this can be Sjogren's related.  Several of us have put together pieces of the puzzle of dental issues that have plagued us our whole lives or seem to hit us out of the blue.  Sjogren's IS a big puzzle . . many times we're missing some of the pieces that make the whole picture complete.  And when we do, it's an AHA moment!

Again, welcome - I hope you find this site useful and informative to you.  We have several members from throughout Ohio - hopefully, they will pop in and introduce themselves.

Bucky

[Scottietottie]

Hi Allison 

Welcome to Sjogren's world. I hope you find the site useful.

Take care - Scottie 

[ingy54]

 :)Hello from Rome, I'm also a new member and I don't know where to start. I've had Sjogren for years but only lately I have to started to get a little worse.Apart from dry mouth, eyes and nose I seem to get a lot of pain in my legs but I'm never sure if it's old age starting ( I'm nearly 65 so it's quite time!!) or SJS. How do I tell?? Hope someone will answer me, Ciao to all.

[tired of it]

Dont write off the leg pain to old age, it might be a number of things associated from Sjogrens,,

[Joe S.]

Welcome ingy54!

[JannaLee]

Nice to meet you Allison and Ingy!

I wish you both wellness and comfort!

Looking forward to knowing you better!

Janna

[Meld256]

Welcome, Allison!    I think you'll find friendly people and lots of great information here.

Sounds as if you may want to check with your doctor about the recent problems with your legs, especially since you say it's become very uncomfortable. So glad to hear you've been doing so well til this little bump in the road and that your children and healthy!
Looking forward to hearing more from you.

Welcome to you, too, ingy54!  No one here can give you a defiante answer about the pain in your legs, but again, might want to bring this up with a doctor and get their take on it. Lots of info. here, too.
Hope you feel free to ask anything at any time. Looking forward to learning more about you.

Blessings to you both,
Melinda

[mink]

Welcome Allison and so sorry to hear about your sons diagnosis but glad that they are both healthy!

My feet get swollen too but so does almost every part of my body ...it starts out with excruciating pain at any one given spot and then red swelling, tender to the touch.
today it's my left hand from wrist to finger tips. I've gone to the ER for it because when it hits my feet it is overbearing and I am not to walk ....well they usually send me home with pred and pain killers and here I am going thru the same thing 1 month later.
Good luck to you honey and please let us know if you decided to go to a doctor for it and what was the outcome