What is it like living with sjogrens?

Sjögren's causes the body to attack moisture-producing glands—most commonly the eyes and mouth—and presents symptoms of fatigue and joint pain. It can also cause dysfunction of other organs, affect the kidneys, gastrointestinal system, blood vessels, lungs, liver, pancreas and nervous system.

Can you live a normal life with Sjogren's?

Although life expectancy is not typically affected, patients' quality of life is, and considerably. Secretory glands don't work, resulting in dryness in the eyes, mouth, throat, and other organs, along with complications such as pain, fatigue, and digestive problems.

How do people live with Sjogren's syndrome?

Living a healthy lifestyle consisting of an anti-inflammatory diet, adequate sleep, exercise, and minimal stress are an important part of living well with a chronic disease like Sjögren's. Both heat and cool packs can help relieve muscle and joint pain associated with Sjögren's.

How does sjogrens make you feel?

You may experience dryness in your nose or throat or on your skin. Sjögren's syndrome can also affect the joints, lungs, kidneys, blood vessels, digestive organs and nerves, causing symptoms such as: Swollen glands, specifically behind the jaw and in front of the ears. Joint pain, swelling or stiffness.

How debilitating is Sjogren's syndrome?

“What we don't understand is the root cause of the process,” says otolaryngologist–head and neck surgeon Jean Kim. “But what we do know is that this syndrome is excruciatingly debilitating for patients.” So much about Sjogren's still remains unknown that even diagnosing the disease can be a challenge.

Episode 2 - Living With Sjögren’s

What should I avoid with Sjogren's syndrome?

Individuals who experience severe xerostomia tend to avoid crunchy foods such as raw vegetables, dry or tough foods such as meats and breads, and sticky foods such as peanut butter. Xerostomia can also affect dental health.

What does sjogrens fatigue feel like?

Sjogren's Syndrome patients often complain of mental fatigue or “brain fog.” Brain fog impairs focus, causes fuzzy concentration, and contributes to difficulty in problem-solving.

Does sjogrens get worse over time?

Symptoms are mild in most people but can be very severe in others. Symptoms can vary over time and may improve, worsen, or even go away completely for periods.

What triggers a Sjogren's flare?

Autoimmune diseases such as Sjogren's syndrome are highly likely to be triggered by environmental factors such as pollution, infections, certain medications, diet, and allergy-causing agents. Make a note of potential environmental triggers, and try to steer clear of them as much as possible.

Can you cry with Sjogren's?

"Patients with Sjögren's syndrome experience chronic dryness of the eyes and mouth as well as other parts of the body, and thus have a hampered ability to cry. This may affect their ability to express their emotions and they often have to rely on words and facial expressions instead of tears as a result" said Ms.

Does having Sjogren's mean you are immunocompromised?

As a note – not all Sjögren's patients have compromised immune systems. This specific risk factor is for those who regularly take drugs to suppress the immune system.

What drugs make sjogrens worse?

Avoid medicines that are known to cause dry eyes. These include antihistamines, diuretics, and some antidepressants. Talk with your doctor if you take any of these medicines. Sometimes the benefits of a medicine outweigh the risks.

Should you get the Covid vaccine if you have Sjogren's syndrome?

As a person with Sjögren's, should I receive a vaccination for COVID-19? Yes. We recommend that all people with Sjögren's should be vaccinated, with the exception of children under the age of 16 (since children were not included in the trials that led to the EUA for the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines).

How do you calm a Sjogren's flare?

Eat well and often. Eating an anti-inflammatory diet is one of the ways to reduce Sjogren's syndrome flares and provide adequate nutrition, thereby reducing fatigue. Ensure that your diet consists of food with high fiber, healthy fats, and spices such as garlic, ginger, and turmeric.

Does Sjogren's qualify for disability?

While Sjögren's syndrome initially causes dry eyes and mouth, it can also progress to cause fatigue and wreak havoc on various organs of the body. Severe cases of Sjögren's may qualify Social Security Disability Insurance Program (SSDI) disability benefits.

How fast does Sjogren's progress?

The condition may progress slowly, so the typical symptoms of dry eyes and mouth may take years to show. However, rapid onset can also occur. Symptoms can be mild, moderate or severe, and the progression is often unpredictable.

What vitamins should I take for Sjögren's?

Can Sjögren's turn into lupus?

Most often, the co-occurring autoimmune disease is rheumatoid arthritis. Other individuals with secondary Sjogren's may have lupus, scleroderma, primary biliary cirrhosis, or a different kind of autoimmune disease.

What does hydroxychloroquine do for sjogrens?

Hydroxychloroquine, an anti-malarial, has been widely used to treat autoimmune conditions like lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and Sjögren's. It works to modulate the immune system, which is overly active in these disorders, and also seems to reduce lipid levels and protect against blood clots and diabetes.

Can Sjogren's go into remission?

The damage to salivary glands in Sjogren's syndrome cannot be reversed, but the symptoms can be controlled and, rarely, the disease goes into remission.

How does the sun affect Sjogren's syndrome?

Sunlight contains ultraviolet radiation that can trigger an autoimmune response. Sjogren's syndrome patients exposed to direct sunlight may develop rashes, sensitivity to light, and sudden flare-ups in symptoms. Therefore, shield yourself from direct sunlight by using sunscreen or sun-protective clothing.

What is the overall prognosis for living with Sjögren's syndrome?

In most people with Sjögren syndrome, dry eyes and dry mouth are the primary features of the disorder, and general health and life expectancy are largely unaffected. However, in some cases the immune system also attacks and damages other organs and tissues.

Does Sjogren's affect your feet?

By Julius Birnbaum, M.D. The neurological complications of Sjögren's syndrome are extensive and range from cognitive difficulties, to burning toes and feet.

What were your first symptoms of Sjogren's?

Is Sjogren's progressive?

Sjogren's is a complex slowly progressive disorder. After rheumatoid arthritis, Sjogren's is the most common chronic autoimmune rheumatic disease. It primarily affects the moisture producing glands in the mouth and eyes.