Eating

[Leisa]

Has anyone had eating habit changes? I was recently diagnosed with Sjs but believe i've had it for many years. It took me developing R.A. before anyone took an interest in my fatique, dryness and rashes. At the onset of the R.A. i lost 35 pounds (not that i minded that) but since i have difficulty eating meat, salads and alot of other foods. If i try to eat these foods i always become sick at my stomach. I now eat a lot of cereals, yogurt and fruits.

[fluffiebunnie]

I am not officially diagnosed but I have gone from 11stone 2lbs before I was ill to 9stone 11lbs now... I just dont have an appetite anymore, and if I am ever hungry.. I get full after a few bites.

My doctors dont seem to be bothered at the weight loss though 

[ErinG]

I lost approx. 30 pounds a few years ago after I started seeing the ophthalmologist.  I wasn't diagnosed with Sjogren's until this past February.  I noticed I just wasn't as hungry as I used to be and I would get full much quicker.  I also stopped eating lots of things because they irritated my mouth too much, too salty, too dry, too spicy, etc.

[Linda196]

Hello Leisa, welcome to Sjogren's World.

Changes in eating habits aren't uncommon in SjS, some of them mechanical, caused by dry, sore mouth, changes in teeth, and the absence of the change in texture of chewed food because no saliva mixes with it. Sometimes the appetite changes come about because of digestion problems, and over time your system reacts to chronic indigestion or heartburn ( even mild) by letting your body think it doesn't need to add more food to the digestive tract and trigger the symptoms.

Saliva is the first digestive juice, and missing on its benefits can throw the whole system off...like getting a late start to your morning and playing catch up for the rest of the day.

I've found that many times, a flare has been preceded by weight loss I wasn't trying for...and sometimes didn't even notice until I put on something that literally had grown several sizes since the last wearing!

[Leisa]

Thank you so much for replying quickly! I am a newbie and have been reading this forum for about 6 months now. I must say it has helped me so much! At first i thought i was crazy with all of these symptoms and no one in the world would believe what i was going through! I do have a rheumy but i'm not so sure he is the right one. Last visit i asked him about swollen glands in front, below and behind my ears and about the glands swollen in my chest and under arms. He just looked at me and shook his head like, yes. Yes, what? Is this lupus too??? I have appt with gp on Monday and i'm taking a list with me of all my symptoms. I know i have cfs, fibro,R.A., dry mouth, skin, and ache all the time. Also my life has been lived on the sofa for the last 6 months. Most days i can barely stand for over 10 mins. at a time. I appreciate any ideas, suggestions or just listening to me. Thanx:)

[Pisces24]

Well Linda196 - now I know why I don't like my own cooking as much anymore.  LOL

I hope SJS doesn't affect my appetite because I have never had much of one even as a kid. I am one of those people that most of the time need to tell myself - it is time to eat - go eat something.  I didn't hit over 100 lbs weight until I got out of college. Now I try to keep myself a 110-115, where my gp wants it.

When I dont' feel good, I don't feel like eating either. I really have to use mind over matter there.