So is this what menopause does to Sjogren's?

[Maria3667]

Hi everyone,

So does the 'change' bring more misery? Since hitting 50 my periods came to a full stop. Now symptoms are deteriorating: worse dry mouth (new is throat & nasal dryness), eyes, knees, feet, fingers, hips and skin... Frequently tense leg muscles, feeling fatigued and like I have the flue.

What helped me so well in the past, is now letting me down, like moisture stimulating hormones & pilocarpine. Am at my wit's end... tried almost everything out there...

Any encouraging thoughts are much appreciated  .

[jazzlover]

Try getting on bio-identical hormones. It should help a lot.

[Maria3667]

Hi Jazz,

I'm already on bio-identical hormones!

Any other tips?

[jazzlover]

Maybe you are lacking in magnesium or other minerals?

[trejonina]

Hi, have you tried Primrose Oil or other Omega 3? Or Omega 3,6,9 ? Potassium helps with cramps  besides magnesium.

[Sweetcheex76]

Glad you brought this up as I thought I was the only one who felt this way. Although I didn't know it, I had Sjogrens since childhood. At perimenopause, I often had symptoms of some autoimmune disease that occasionally, were quite debilitating but doctors couldn't find anything. Then menopause hit and BOOM, every possible symptom came on full force: eye, mouth and lung dryness, achy joints, fatigue, oil glands in my face dried up, tore my meniscus, congenital cataracts exploded within weeks in both eyes. I could go on and on. I finally showed a positive ANA and got a diagnosis. When I was using bio progesterone early in menopause, I felt so much better. Lately, I've been wondering if I can try using it again even tho I haven't had a period in 5 years. Hang in there and hope it helps to know you're aren't alone.

[Maria3667]

Hi Jazz and Trejonina,

I already take evening primrose (2x1300mg), Omega 3 (3x1000mg) and magnesium (3x250mg) + potassium a few times weekly.

@Sweetcheex,
Thanks, it helps to know I'm not alone. I tried bio-identical progesterone but was immediately plagued by weight gain, low moods and fatigue - even though it did help dryness issues. I still take a few other hormones but probably not in high enough dose to get the scales to tip in my favor. A higher dose packs on the pounds...

The same goes for many supplements like MSM, boswellia or green lip muscle extract. Others like turmeric, nigella sativa and co-enzyme Q10 (ubiquinol) cause anxiety.

Yesterday my GP referred me to a specialized Sjogren's center in my country, hopefully they can help.

Wishing you strength & good luck!