SSA Ro antibodies

[DragonflyC]

I also test positive for ANA and SS-A and have had symptoms since childhood (and was at  one point diagnosed with allergies instead of SJS!), but even though I'm sick, I still work full time and live a relatively normal life most of the time. My disease has progressed, but plaquenil has made me feel a lot better, and the progression has slowed down since I started taking it. I'm not sure how long I've had the antibodies, because 2004 was the first time I was tested for them, but I've had them since at least then and probably longer. We really can't know what's to come, so I try to hope for the best and prepare for the worst.

Everyone's AI disease is different and it's impossible to definitively predict the path a person's disease will follow. Stress is really bad for us, though, so try not to worry too much about what's to come (easier said than done, of course!). 

[Shelly]

I have a borderline positive ANA (1:40) and an very high SS-A (>8.0) and am negative for SS-B.  I also have a mildly low WBC of 3.5. I am 24 years old and have been experiencing salivary gland swelling along with joint pain since I was in my early teens.  Around the time I turned 20 was when I started to experience mild dry mouth and only in this past year have my eyes gotten dry (Shirmer's Test - 5).  I was only actually diagnosed with Sjogren's in December of 2011 after originally going to a surgeon for wrist pain.  He ordered some blood work and my ANA came back positive so he referred me to a rheumatologist who ordered more blood work.  Even though I have symptoms of Sjogren's and blood work supports it, my symptoms are mild (I am reluctant to say this because I do not want to jinx myself) compared to others who post on this forum.  I have noticed that there have been more symptoms that are being added onto the list in the past 10 years or so, but they symptoms themselves have not progressed - except for the joint pain.  Sometimes I wonder if my Sjogrens' is secondary as well, as so many symptoms of Sjogren's and SLE overlap. 

This was a great post!  Thanks for posting!