Our Sjoggie ages . . .

[Bucky]

Thanks everyone who has participated in this poll.  As I thought, us 50-60 year olds are the majority (at least of those who voted).

To those of you who normally don't post any messages and just come here to the forum to read, please add you vote to the poll too.  Out of 1,400+ plus members - only 45 some have voted.

None of our members in their 20's have voted.  I know you're out there.   

Bucky

[Meld256]

wow, lot's of us 50-somethings, huh? I know we have people in their twenties, too.

[Joe S.]

A lot of those that responded are in their 50's. Has Shani posted?

[mskittyshell]

I turned 48 in July and was officially diagnosed in the spring when I was stil 47 - but I probably have had this for many years, maybe even most of my life but it has gotten worse.  I got a bad case of shingles in January 2010 and after a couple of months they decided to run some blood tests because the shingles was really, really bad.  The sad thing is I am still on Neurontin for the shingles nerve pain a year later.  YAY ME!  and I may be on it for a long time. I have no income, no insurance and my teeth are rapidly crumbling and no way to get them removed to get dentures.  Anyone know any resources for Sjogren's patients to get dentures?  I currently have a social security case going - wish me luck!  I hope everyone has had a great weekend! Keep on keepin' on!

[tomsmom]

I was diagnosed when I was 29.  I'll be 32 later this year.  Feel so much older...

[momof2]

  I'm a little sad there are no votes in the 70's and 80's. Tell me there are people that age that have Sjorgren's. Not that I want people to have this.... Just that we have a longer life span then 60's. BTW... I am 48.

[aussie mum]

I wasn't sure where to enter info in the poll as I am 47 but it is my daughter who has SJS.
I have found this site a great source of information, better than her Dr.

She started getting symptoms at 16.
Diagnosed with SJS (positive blood work Ana, SSa, RF etc) at 17.
Diagnosed with Hashimotos and Insulin resistance at 19.

While she has had no luck with plaquenil, her health improved dramatically once she began thyroid medication.

She is now 20, having more good days than bad at the moment (thankfully).
Aussie Mum

[Sha]

I am 35 and don't have a clue when I started getting symptoms since I didn't even know I had dry mouth or eyes...thought everyone was like this....thought I just liked jolly ranchers and water and eye drops were for allergies....i thought!LOL  Now I have plugs in my eyes and I stay as positive as I can!

Sha

[nanamaryj]

I will be 45 this month, but started having symptoms in my mid 20's.  Diagnosed at 39.  It seems the last 2 years to be getting progressively worse.

[irish]

I turned 68 in January and was diagnosed when I was 60 years old after having symptoms of Sjogrens and Myasthenia gravis since around age 20 years.

Dry eyes was the last symptom that I got. Had dry mouth for many years but always blamed it on my medications.

When you don't feel good and can't get any docs to listen you just keep on plugging along. We are all a tough bunch of people who would rather be working. Right!!!!! Irish

[Bucky]

Well - so far, my thoughts are right - the 50's age group seems to have the most members.

We're at 69 votes right now in this Sjoggie ages poll . . I'm hoping we can at least make it to 100 votes.  We have soooo many members - and a lot of "newbies", that I hope will cast their vote.

momof2 - we DO have at least one member in their 70's that I can think of . . . I won't give her name - maybe, she'll cast her vote when she stops in (she doesn't come here as often as she use to).  I don't know about anyone in their 80's.

It just goes to show that Sjogren's knows no preference in age or gender.  However, our members here at Sjogren's World can close the gap in our ages and unite together as soldiers fighting this relentless disease together.  Our shared experiences, trials, etc. help each of us along this journey.  Everyone here "get's it"!

Thanks everyone for participating in this poll.

Bucky

[momof2]

Bucky, I have a 6 year old daughter. I'm going to be 49 this year. I would just like to know there is a REAL possibility of raising her until she is done cooking. I would hate to be a young teen girl who has lost her mom to some AI disease. Or anything for that matter. I just think I would feel a little more incouraged to see some older people with this terrible disease having productive and fullfilling lives.

Bless her heart. She is afraid I am going to leave her. I've promised her it (sjs) has just slowed me down but will not kill me. Praying I am right.
Pam

[sis]

momof2

Don't worry about the 70 and 80 year group not responding.

They just don't get on the computer as much! 

[Jen_in_GA]

I just turned 37. I've been showing symptoms since my teens. Never really put it all together. I was diagnosed about 4 years ago? Now when I was 11 my doctor told me that I had the body of an 80 year old so really I'm 269. I just look darn good for my age!

Jen

[volleymom]

I was diagnosed at the tender age of 37.  I just turned 45.  My body thinks it's 145.