Our Sjoggie ages . . .

[Nancy60]

I was originally diagnosed by an Opthomologist when I was 19, but didn't think anything of it.  Have had lots of related symptoms and problems over the years that I didnt realize were related at the time.  Finally started asking the doctor about all the symptoms around age 39-40, but still didn't connect it with Sjogren's until I went to a Rheumatologist (actually my 2nd one) at age 44.  She is who put it all together and diagnosed me with Sjogren's for the 2nd time!  She informed me a whole lot more about it than the Optho that diagnosed it as a teen.  I am 50 now, so have been dealing with it for over 30 years now.

Nancy

[valene2009]

i agree with Bucky.. this disease def closes the gap with all our ages.. i am 36 but sometimes feel like my parents in their mid 60s get around and have more energy than me..

[Scottietottie]

Hi 

We never know what's round the corner. My mother had way more energy than me when she was in her sixties and I was in my mid thirties. One day, aged 68, she dlivered meals on wheels for elderly infirm people. The next morning she never woke up. She died in her sleep.

Enjoy the day!

Take care - Scottie 

[CAT1962]

Scottie,
My mom-in-law (age 71) died like that. Funny thing..we had a birthday party for her older sister at my MIL's home. The whole family was there. We found my MIL the next morning around 9. (I suspected because she always called me around 8:30.) They said she must have passed away around 3-7 AM.  Everyone was glad they had a chance to "hug her goodbye" the night before.

[Meld256]

Cat and Scottie,

My husband's grandmother passed in a similar way. She was 85 and had a good deal of energy. Monday of that week was Memorial Day, so we had a big extended family cook-out she attended. She had so much fun with grandkids and greatgrandchildren. She seemed to be in an extra-special good mood.

She went grocery shopping and some other errands Tues. Wed. night she went to the church service she always attended and sang.  Thursday morning her daughter was picking her up at her house for a doctor's appt., she got her coat and said she didn't feel well and dropped to the floor. We were glad she had a happy week and were also glad we all saw her and had fun together.

[jordozmom]

I am 39 and was diagnosed 12 years ago at age 27.

[stickgal]

Thanks Bucky for this opportunity to say I'm in my 40's. Will turn 49 next week, so this is one of the final times I'll get to say 40's!! Dang it!

[Bucky]

stickgal - um, correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't 49 still in your 40's?     Hang on to it as long as you can. 

Bucky

[Bucky]

Yay - we got to our 100+ votes on this survey.  The vast majority of our members are in their 40's and 50's.  I'm sure the numbers would be higher if every one of our members cast their age vote.

Whatever age you are, keep on, keeping on in your Sjogren's journey.  You have to be your own advocate for your health - no one else will.  We are all more resilient than you might think you are.

It's important to surround yourself with people who are on your team.  Some of you may or may not like Dr. Phil McGraw, but I will re-post something from him that I think is so true:  "Although a health crisis can rock you to the core of your being, it's not the end, and you will need to get a grip on how you perceive, talk about, and act on the situation so you don't run the risk of contributing to the problem instead of the solution."  "Managing this challenging day (years - added by Bucky) of your life isn't something you should try to do on your own, and I'm betting you need the support of others to get you through and win this health battle.  The key is to assemble a winning team, and that means making sure all the players are supportive, positive, and helpful.  You need people you can trust and people who can energize and inspire you because there is strength and power in support."

Thanks for participating in this survey.  I will leave this survey open so any of the newbies can cast their votes too.

Bucky

[sage]

Thanks for posting this questionnaire.  Just to bring the statistics up a little, I am 74 years old.  Was talking to another lady the other day who is in her late 70's with RA who was a registered nurse and has several reference nursing books on hand, and she looked into sjogren's syndrome recently because of her severe dry mouth and other symptoms and she said to me: "Now, I am pretty sure I have sjogren's syndrome and to think it has not just been my imagination all those years that I have those symptoms"

Keep up the good work

[Bucky]

It's been 3 months since our last poll vote was cast - we've had a lot of "newbies" since then.  I wanted to give everyone an opportunity to cast their vote for their Sjoggie age in this poll.

Just a reminder - this is for your current age, not when you were diagnosed with Sjogren's - or how old having Sjogren's makes your feel.   

I bet if we had a show of hands of our members - that the vast majority would say they had "symptoms" of Sjogren's for years prior to being diagnosed.  Through the years we thought it was "normal" to have dry eyes, dry mouths, etc.  You mean it's NOT normal?!      

Thanks for participating in this poll.

Bucky

[Shade]

Okay, I did my part!

[harlin]

Probably to late to chime in but I am 58 and should have been diagnosed many years ago not 2. I have had the same symptoms all my life but blood work just showed 2 years ago.
Great poll!
Harlin

[irish]

Wow, such a large range in ages. I had symptoms of several autoimmune diseases including sjogrens around the age of 21 back in 1964. I got diagnosed in 2003. It wasn't because I wasn't trying, believe me!!!! Saw a ton of docs and they just didn't get it. I am now 68 and hard to believe. Usually feel 88 lately but on the days I don't feel so bad I almost faint when I look in the mirror. Can never figure out why my mother is looking back at me. Irish

[amberjolie1]

I hope the fact that there's no one in their 80's just means that that age group isn't too interested in using computers or going to online forums...