could it have been sjogren's all along?

[tsharrard]

Hello,
Over the past several years I have been diagnosed with several physical problems and now that I have developed very extreme dry eyes and Doctor suspects Sjogren's I am now wondering , after reading more about it if the following symtoms or illnessess be caused from Sjogren's. I was recently diagnosed about 2 years ago with barretts esophagus, and gastritis. Have also been diagnosed with chondromalacia and had knee surgery to clean out broken pieces of cartledge. I was having terrible chest pain that had sent me to the hospital only to find out it was esophgeal spasms. I also was diagnosed with  costochondritis. a couple months ago I found out I had a vitamin D deficiency. Could any of these be related to Sjogren's? I also have had for year, muscle and joint pain , but lately the morning stiffness and joint pain is worse. I have had some blood work done but i imagine it will come back normal and I will still be stuck with these symptoms I will just have to live with because the antidepressant did not change or effect my physical problems at all.

[tsharrard]

Oh yea, One more thing,, My eye doc just put punctal plugs in my eyes,, and said he thought it might be Ocular rosacea,, but I have a clear complection and have no other signs of rosacea.

[Scottietottie]

Hi 

A lot of Sjoggies have gastric problems and reflux and the reflux can cause Barret's Esophagus. I have a problem with reflux but I have a hiatal hernia. Now maybe the acid is less dilute than it should be because of SjS but my hernia was NOT caused by SjS and I would probably have reflux problems - SjS or not. I don't think chondromalacia is caused by SjS. Inflammation and joint pain can be but it's not usually destructive.

The chostochondritis could be. It's basically connective tissue inflammation and SjS can cause that. While they are checking everything else out do make sure they've checked your thyroid function too. It sometimes goes wrong with sjS and if it does, it can cuase deep depression which not all the anti depressants in the world will shift - but thyroid meds will.

I am not a medic so what I've just typed is simply my opinion - not medical truth!! 

Take care - Scottie 

[Collie]

Sorry is has taken so long to get a diagnosis, but yes, I think it could have been Sjogren's all along. I am under the impression Dr.s are so afraid of being sued, they will not venture out to give a diagnosis unless there is positive proff the disease is present; thus a sero neg diagnosis is rarely given. With Sjogren's one never knows how it is going to affect them, or where in the body they will be affected.

Although I am sorry you have the symptoms of Sjogren's I am thankful you are getting some answers to the symptoms you are having.

Collie

[Maria3667]

Hi too  

Many of us have been ill before a final diagnosis has been set.

Like you, I had gastric problems and reflux; difference being I tacklet them by taking 1 calcium tablet each day. So this no longer shows up as being one of my symptoms...

The chest pain & pain in knees I also recognise. They were troubling me a lot before being diagnosed. I also suffered from lower back pain. Finally my GP guessed it might be rheumatism related... He was right.

Since then, I have a lot of benefit from taking several supplements and 100 mgs of DHEA each day.

Many of us have psychological problems before - or with the onset of - Sjogrens. Just because the blood work comes back clean, doesn't mean you don't have Sjogren's. A good rheumy will be able to determine the syndrome by the symptoms themselves.

Best wishes,
Maria