Another New Member

[Sylvia49]

Hi, Everyone!

Finally!  A place where I can share and get new information!

I look forward to getting to know some of you soon...

Sylvia49

[Narablueeyes]

Welcome Sylvia!

[Sylvia49]

Thanks, Narablueeyes!

[Meld256]

Welcome, Sylvia! 

I think you'll find this a great place to share and receive information.  There's a wealth of information here and some really friendly people.

Feel free to post/ ask/ comment on anything.  We look forward to getting to know you, too!

Melinda

[susanep]

Welcome Sylvia, I am glad you come here, and we are all like a family. We are here to help each other, and to learn from one another.

susanep 

[Joe S.]

Welcome Sylvia. Some of us have posted what we are taking in our signatures as an effort to help others.

[Pisces24]

Welcome to the Group!

When I was diagnosed "finally after 6 yrs) with Sjogrens, I found this website right away. I am so grateful for the caring and helping people on this site. We are all going through or have gone through the same issues, problems, symptoms, etc etc so we understand and sympathize with each other.

But I have learned, we individuals are our worse critics.  So the folk here have helped me not kick myself for the things I can't do and rejoice in the things I can, when I can.

[quilt4fun]

Welcome, Sylvia,
        I have visited this site several times in the past 1 1/2 years.  It is nice to be able to share and read what others are going through, and know that I am not alone! Come chat with us anytime.

[Patze]

Hi Sylvia,

And let me also welcome you to the SJS World and family!  Please do look around as you'll find scads of topics and oodles of information that you just might find interesting.  If you can't find what you're looking for, don't be shy and ask aways as there just might be someone about that just might be able to help.

Can you tell us a bit more about yourself so the members can get to know you better?

Again, welcome and I hope that you find this board as amazing and friendly as I have all these years!

Take care of yourself -

Patze

[Scottietottie]

Hi Sylvia 

Welcome to Sjogren's world. Sorry I'm a bit late with this! I hope yoiu find the site useful.

Take care - Scottie 

[Sylvia49]

Hi, Everyone!

Just a bit about myself:  I am a retired/disabled (on SSD) private caregiver.  Miss my job very much - not really a job, but a calling.  Worked with the elderly and hospice.

According to my ruhemy, I was born with Sjogren's, and my drs have been treating me for the symptoms all my life.  I was diagnosed in 2004, added Fibro, CFS, Bipolar/Anxiety/Depressive disorder, Asthema, Arthritis.

Have no dr at present who is familiar with Sjogren's.  My rhuemy retired.  No insurance, so have to wait to find another one when I am switched to Social Security in 6mo.  In the meantime, my PCP (who is an angel, and admits when he doesn't know something) is taking care of me the best he knows how.

Have a psych and am going through Cognitive Therapy for my bipolar.  Am taking Xanax, Valium, Synthroid, fish oil, flax oil, vitamin D3, iron, B complex,
vitamin C, melatonin, multi-vitamin.  Have been on other psych meds and always come up with bad side effects.  Really don't want to be experimented on anymore, so am going with what I have.

My main problem is the fatigue and pain.  I really liked Joe's link to "The Spoon Theory," and one person explained her situation as "my imuine system is haywire and is eating me up."  That's a great way to explain the unexplainable.  I get the "deer in the headlights" look if I try to tell anyone just what I'm feeling, so this is a great way to look at it.

My husband is on Social Secuity, so he's my caregiver.  I use a cane but have sometimes had to use a walker.   Carl is the greatest person that ever happened to me, and we will have been married 19 years in March.  He knew I was chronically ill when we married, and has rolled with the punches.  It was good to finally get a diagnosis.

I love to read and surf the net.  I get out and garden in front of our apt when I can.  I attend church and am the Children's Coordinator there.  They know my situation and give me a lot of help.  Decorating and working on our apt used to be a priority, but that has had to be cut way back. 

Christmas is my favorite time of year!  Love everything; do as much as I can.

I look forward to getting to know you here, and have already read some great things.  I really appreciate the moderators and originators of this site, as only we who have these illnesses can really *get it.*


Thank you for asking, Patze, and may you all have a wonderful Christmas season!

Sylvia49

[Patze]

Hi Sylvia,

I knew that there had to be a great new member hiding in your first post and so glad to see I was right.

Thank you for updating and I'm seriously impressed lady!  Being a caregiver for the elderly and those in hospice is truly amazing and you are a walking angel!

Take care of yourself -

Patze