Sjögren's Syndrome

Good news everybody!  ::Saracasm::

I have officially been diagnosed with Sjögren's Syndrome!

 ======================

---For Those Going WTF Is That?---

Sjogren's (SHOW-grins) syndrome is a chronic autoimmune disease in which your body’s immune system attacks the moisture producing glands of the body.

Sjogren's syndrome often accompanies other immune system disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. In Sjogren's syndrome, the mucous membranes and moisture-secreting glands of your eyes and mouth are usually affected first, resulting in decreased production of tears and saliva.

The two main symptoms of Sjogren's syndrome are:

    Dry eyes. Your eyes may burn, itch or feel gritty, as if there's sand in them.

    Dry mouth. Your mouth may feel like it's full of cotton, making it difficult to swallow or speak.

Some people with Sjogren's syndrome also experience one or more of the following:

    Joint pain, swelling and stiffness

    Swollen salivary glands (particularly the set behind your jaw and in front of your ears)

   Severe dental issues

    Skin rashes or dry skin

    Vaginal dryness

    Persistent dry cough

   Chronic Bronchitis

   Dry sinuses or sinus issues

    Prolonged fatigue

  

It may affect other organs of the body, including the kidneys, blood vessels, lungs, liver, pancreas, peripheral nervous system and brain.

For more info, see:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sj%C3%B6gren%27s_syndrome

http://www.sjogrens.org

http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sjogrens-syndrome/basics/definition/con-20020275

 ======================

While it isn’t a good thing to have, it is a huge relief I finally have a doctor who is recognizing that there is more than Fibromyalgia at work and trying to help me fix it rather than just masking symptoms with medications.

As of now, I have been diagnosed with two clearly recognized autoimmune disorders occurring on top of Fibromyalgia and my Dysautonomia. Having a doctor acknowledge that is huge.  It’s only taken 10 years to get this far.

I asked him about the disability application, and he is totally 100% on board and told me how some of it would work, as far as how he’d get paperwork to fill out after I submitted my application.  He renewed my permit, so I now have a permanent disability parking permit. It actually comes with a little ID card here in Louisiana. Apparently some states use it to verify you are the tag owner.

Only thing he didn’t do, which bummed me, is he didn’t give me another shot in my wrist. He said after what happened last time ( me passing out ) he wanted to try something else. So I got a topical instead, which has to be specially compounded and sent to me. I’m hard pressed to think it will work, but I’ll try it before I knock it and beg for the injection again.

I finally have hope that things are taking a turn in the right direction with all this medical crazy I have lived with for years.

I will still need people who are willing to write on my behalf for the disability application.  If you already have ( thank you guys again SO much! ), I plan to use those.

If you are willing to write a statement, please let me know.

I’ll be starting this whole process in January, after the holidays.