Elaine/Re: Salivary Glands/Sjogren's

[Guest guest]

Hi Elaine!

At a doc appt tomorrow, I'll be asking for these tests as well as ESR

and IG's, which I found listed along with SSA, SSB & ANA at a

Sjogren's site. 'J' must have also started this thread at Atomic

Women, which lead to me realizing I also had many Sjogren's symptoms,

including an ANA (last August) of 1:160 (normal 1:40) and speckled

ANA pattern. I had a submandibular lump removed a few years ago

(hardened salivary gland.)

Redhen had good advice at the Atomic Women site. I'm still not sure

what to do with the diagnosis, if it's positive for me. I know...get

good dental care, etc. But would I really need to see a

Rheumatologist, as is suggested at a couple websites I visited?

I haven't been reviewing posts much here lately and have been using

Mediboard more frequently. I have learned so much from all of these

groups, and I am glad that this group has worked through the latest

hard time. I have to admit that because of a few exchanges over the

last few months, I have stayed away.

Thanks!

diag 8/02; 50 mg PTU & homeopathic remedies. Latest labs

(5/15/03)...FT4 0.77 (range 0.61-1.76), TSH 1.6 (range 0.350-5.500),

TSI 219%

> Hi J,

> You may want to ask your doctor to run tests for SSA, SSB and ANA.

Often,

> Sjogren's Syndrome causes these symptoms. RAI itself can damage the

salivary

> glands, and effects usually emerge within the first year, but you'd

be more likely

> to notice oral dryness than swelling. Best, Elaine

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

As always, good to hear from you.

Sjogren's can cause a syndrome in which you primarily have ocular and oral

dryness, and it can cause a systemic disease in which many of the body's organs

can also be affected.

For this reason Sjogren's is classifed as a connective tissue disease and is

generally managed by a rheumatologist. But this isn't essential. Your doctor

can order the necessary tests and prescribe treatment if it's indicated.

Similar to other autoimmune diseases, Sjogren's can be very mild or very

severe, and patients can have periods of remission alternating with flare-ups.

Take care, Elaine