Holy cow! I need to water, now!
Symptom #1
Thirst gradually started to become more and more prevalent when I started showing signs of Sjogren’s Syndrome.
I was watching Oprah one day and she had her trainer and chef, Bob Greene on and they were discussing being thirsty. Bob said, “If you are constantly thirsty, then you are dehydrated.” I thought about that. “How could I be dehydrated? I am drinking so much water it’s crazy.”
Thirst is also a classic symptom of diabetes. Now, at this time I was overweight, but my doctors had never raised the issue of diabetes.
Hey, no tears!
Symptom #2
One day I watched a sad movie, and when I cried, there were no tears. That is weird. My eyes got all messed up. I had a mucus substance instead of tears and my nose didn’t run either. What’s going on?
My eyes were scratchy, dry and red. Fortunately, I found artificial tears right away. Those gave me some relief.
How do I spell relief?
Symptom #3
Indigestion. I’m not talking a little heartburn either. I not only carried a water bottle everywhere with me, but I carried a bottle of Mylanta, too.
I remember being in my cubicle at work and having Mylanta on my desk. I was drinking a few bottles each week. If you have ever tasted Mylanta, you know it can be an acquired taste. I would chug Mylanta before, during and after my meals. I would take a swig or two in between meals if I had to.
Aahhh, Ambesol!
Symptom #4
Canker sores! Now those are attractive. I’m not talking the one little canker sore you get on your tongue. I’m talking sores on my mouth, tongue and down my throat. The pain was incredible.
How dry I am…
Symptom #5
The last thing that happened to me was the skin on my face dried out and I developed a few hairline cracks in my skin. I used moisturizer everyday and it didn’t make a bit of difference.
All of these things didn’t happen one at a time over a period of weeks or months. They all happened within days of each other.
I wasn’t freaking out, but I just didn’t know what to think about what was happening to me. One or two of these symptoms by themselves wouldn’t raise any alarm bells, but five? I knew something was really wrong and I felt like crap and I looked like crap.
I went to the Urgent Care. Fortunately, I met a wonderful doctor. I told him everything that had been happening and he listened. He really listened and he recognized it right away.
The doctor said, “I can tell by looking at your face that you are dry.” “Your skin, and eyes are dry and the glands in your face are swollen.” I think you need to get to a rheumatologist because I think you have Sjogren’s Syndrome.” “You are what we call, “a moisture seeker” and you need a specialist.”
The doctor gave me the short version of what Sjogren’s is, and I immediately felt relieved. I had an answer!
Question: If you have Sjogren’s, how long did it take for you to realize something wasn’t quite right, and to get a diagnosis?
I know that there is a connection with the health of the gut and autoimmune disorders. From what I have been researching sometimes autoimmune disorders are triggered by bacteria, yeast, parasites, and leaky gut. Also, food sensitivities,especially gluten, dairy, corn, and soy can trigger on autoimmune response or make the conditions worse. I think I may have one autoimmune disorders, and I am working on getting my gut healthy.
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Food sensitivities play a big part in autoimmune flares. I have really paid close attention to what happens when I eat certain foods because the flares aren’t worth the short amount of pleasure eating a specific food can bring. I hope you don’t have an autoimmune and you have something that changing your diet can fix. Good for you for being pro-active.
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I have severe dry eyes. It started in 2005. First came the IBS, then the dry eyes and depression.
But with prayers and change in diet the depression left, the digestive problems come and go.
My eyes are still dry, but I keep praying that God will make them better. I don’t feel tired or have any joint pain. So I should count my blessing. Since I am able to manage my symptoms, I don’t want to find out if the dry eyes are caused by an autoimmune disorders. Finding out would bring fear. I do watch what I eat and I pray a lot. I will put you in my prayers, and thank you for your blog it inspired me.
Cathy
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Thank you Cathy. There seems to be a few things that can cause dry eyes. Age can be one factor. It seems that women can develop dryer eyes as they age. An eye doctor should be able to help you out. Sometimes getting a correct diagnosis can alleviate fear. Thank you for your prayers!
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