Guest guest Posted May 9, 2004 Report Share Posted May 9, 2004 In a message dated 5/9/04 6:35:57 AM, hdfornof@... writes: My new diagnosis explains a lot for me. I too had to quit wearing the contacts awhile back but didn't know why and I've felt the need to chew Same thing for me, I even considered having my eyes sewn shut. Now I drink tons of liquids (gave up coffee). I have a little lemonaide when I get up at night...it stimulates the saliva glands. I wonder why some nites, it is really bad, and some nights it is not.... Pris Watch Animal Planet for 2 thirty minute shows all about our porksters: May 17 - 2 PM ET - "That's My Baby" May 25 - 11 AM ET - "Pet Story" NEW-Teeny, Nellie, and 3 piglets are in 4 AP TV commercials for 3 different shows. www.valentinesperformingpigs.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 9, 2004 Report Share Posted May 9, 2004 Dear , From: Hasenstab I started having serious problems with my eyes several years ago, although it began when I was in my thirties, and had to stop wearing contacts because of decreased tear flow. So far it's just my eyes and mouth, but I also have a rather mild, slow-progressing case of RA, too. I"m hoping they both progress slowly. My new diagnosis explains a lot for me. I too had to quit wearing the contacts awhile back but didn't know why and I've felt the need to chew gum for a long time and I can see now why because my mouth is so dry. I also have repeated sinus infections and my sinuses are always dry. I've begun to decrease my use of Tylenol PM at night because it's an antihistamine and can't be helping. I also have allergies but don't seem to have the watering like you described. I'm wondering if quitting coffee would also help as it's a diuretic? Here's praying your RA and Sjogren's stay mild . Best Wishes, Dodie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 9, 2004 Report Share Posted May 9, 2004 Oh yeah, I forgot about the sinus infections<g>. I *always* have problems with dryness and headaches. I used to envy people who were sniffling and snorting, with runny noses, because if my nose starts running, then the headache lets up. I get an infection that needs antibiotics once or twice a year. I usually try to ride them out, but it can take weeks and weeks. I don't drink coffee and I stopped drinking soft drinks about a year ago. I started up again recently, and even though I crave the carbonation, if I drink one then I'm twice as thirsty afterwards. I think it's the caffeine, because drinking green tea does the same thing for me. Before I even finish the cup, my mouth is dry again. I haven't really thought about it for so long that I've forgotten some of the symptoms of Sjogren's that I have. It just becomes something you live with and do what you can to alleviate. I try to drink a lot of water, but I tend to cut way back on that when I'm going somewhere(outdoor antique market) where I'll be walking a lot and there aren't restroom facilities that are convenient. I can really feel it when I do that, and I'm sure it isn't all that good for me. I also get a lot of urinary tract irritation from dehydration and that's usually a wake-up call to the fact that I'm not drinking enough. ----- Original Message ----- From: Dodie Rheumatoid Arthritis Sent: Sunday, May 09, 2004 8:48 AM Subject: Re: Sjogren's Sydrome Dear , From: Hasenstab I started having serious problems with my eyes several years ago, although it began when I was in my thirties, and had to stop wearing contacts because of decreased tear flow. So far it's just my eyes and mouth, but I also have a rather mild, slow-progressing case of RA, too. I"m hoping they both progress slowly. My new diagnosis explains a lot for me. I too had to quit wearing the contacts awhile back but didn't know why and I've felt the need to chew gum for a long time and I can see now why because my mouth is so dry. I also have repeated sinus infections and my sinuses are always dry. I've begun to decrease my use of Tylenol PM at night because it's an antihistamine and can't be helping. I also have allergies but don't seem to have the watering like you described. I'm wondering if quitting coffee would also help as it's a diuretic? Here's praying your RA and Sjogren's stay mild . Best Wishes, Dodie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 9, 2004 Report Share Posted May 9, 2004 Dear , From: Hasenstab I haven't really thought about it for so long that I've forgotten some of the symptoms of Sjogren's that I have. It just becomes something you live with and do what you can to alleviate. I've probably had it a LONG time myself asI've had the RA going on 23 years now (I'm 45) and I've lived with the symptoms thus far. I guess it's just when I get a new diagnosis it takes awhile to come to an acceptance of it. Thanks for the imput . It's helped me. Best Wishes, Dodie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 9, 2004 Report Share Posted May 9, 2004 I find that if I focus on the symptom, whether it's RA or Sjogren's, and deal with that instead of focusing on the disease as a whole, I'm better able to handle it and get on with my life. If I wake up and my knees are hurting, then I modify things so that I'm not walking as much, or overdoing it, and just go on with things. If I start thinking, "Oh, it's RA again...." it can become overwhelming. Now that I'm retired, there are very few things that are *immediate.* A swollen knee can be a good excuse to kick back and read that book I've been trying to finish. The gardening doesn't go anywhere for a day or two, and the vacuum stays right where I left it, waiting for me<g>. When I was teaching, there was a lot more pressure, of course, to get things done, but this is wonderful. ----- Original Message ----- From: Dodie Rheumatoid Arthritis Sent: Sunday, May 09, 2004 9:09 AM Subject: Re: Sjogren's Sydrome Dear , From: Hasenstab I haven't really thought about it for so long that I've forgotten some of the symptoms of Sjogren's that I have. It just becomes something you live with and do what you can to alleviate. I've probably had it a LONG time myself asI've had the RA going on 23 years now (I'm 45) and I've lived with the symptoms thus far. I guess it's just when I get a new diagnosis it takes awhile to come to an acceptance of it. Thanks for the imput . It's helped me. Best Wishes, Dodie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 9, 2004 Report Share Posted May 9, 2004 Dear Pris and All, From: NELLIESTAR@... Same thing for me,I even considered having my eyes sewn shut.Now I drink tons of liquids (gave up coffee).I have a little lemonaide when I get up at night it stimulates the saliva glands. I wonder why some nites, it is really bad, and some nights it is not Thanks for the idea about citrus stimulating saliva! I used to put a lime wedge in water which was so good. Time to go do that now. Thanks again. I did read somewhere about having part of the lid sewn shut as helping. Best Wishes, Dodie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 9, 2004 Report Share Posted May 9, 2004 I've been reading all of the posts about Sjogren's with interest. Although I've never had the tests done for a definitive diagnosis (on top of the RA), my doc has told me that I probably have a 'touch of Sjogren's' along with the RA. When it first hit I couldn't understand why I was so thirsty all the time (dry mouth) and was drinking over a gallon of water a day - then getting up every 45 minutes or so (round the clock) to pee. They were testing me for diabetes (which came back negative) when the doc asked if I was thirsty or had dry mouth. Until then I never really thought there was a difference! I've noticed it comes and goes - some days I don't have any problems and others I can't get enough liquids in my mouth. I've found the Sweet N Low sugar free fruit flavored candy to be good to suck on (and it doesn't lead to tooth decay), and that fruit flavored herb teas (hot or cold) seem to help. At the moment my eyes aren't too bad, but I gave up on contacts years ago (I think it was the sleep deprivation of having an infant that did it). Wishing you all pain free and happy days! Beth > > In a message dated 5/9/04 6:35:57 AM, hdfornof@u... writes: > > > > > > My new diagnosis explains a lot for me. I too > > > > had to quit wearing the contacts awhile back but > > > > didn't know why and I've felt the need to chew > > > > > > Same thing for me, > I even considered having my eyes sewn shut. > Now I drink tons of liquids (gave up coffee). > I have a little lemonaide when I get up at night...it stimulates the saliva > glands. > I wonder why some nites, it is really bad, and some nights it is not.... > Pris > > > > Watch Animal Planet for 2 thirty minute shows all about our porksters: > May 17 - 2 PM ET - " That's My Baby " > May 25 - 11 AM ET - " Pet Story " > NEW-Teeny, Nellie, and 3 piglets are in 4 AP TV commercials for 3 different > shows. > www.valentinesperformingpigs.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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