spiriva and sjogren's syndrome

I was diagnosed with Sojgren's Syndrome more then ten years ago, however the symptoms were so light that I didn't need to worry too much about it then. Now I am 35 years old and about 4 and a half months ago I started with neck pain. All the doctors I saw thought it was nothing however I new something was wrong. I finally was able to get my family doctor to refer me to a rheumatologist who also thought I had nothing that it was something uscular.

Hi Sjogren's Syndrome effects about 4 million in the us. HCV is not a cause. They don't know what causes it. www.sjogrens.netfirms.com has a ton of info on it. A postive SSA can indicate Sjogren's. But the test can be positive and you not have Sjogren's and negative and you still have it. It is not specific. One of the reasons it usually takes ten years , on average to get a diagnosis.

Call and get a copy of the tests and insist on a follow up appointment to talk about your pain and swelling and to figure out next steps. Even if your bloodwork is negative you need to be regularly tested and a diagnosis can be made based on symptoms.

In addition, sicca syndrome marks the autoimmune process of Sjogren's syndrome. Sicca is the latin word for dryness and usually refers to dry eyes and mouth. Aside from Sjogren's , sicca features can also be found in other diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and systemic sclerosis. These cases are often called Associated Sjögren’s. Autoimmune diseases refer to the body having an immune reaction against itself.

I just had a lip biopsy of a minor salivary gland in my lower lip to check for Sjogren's. The lab said the sample was dead scar tissue. My doctor said this is unusual but can be indicative of Sjogren's. When trying for a second sample no glands we popping out of the incision so she stopped not wanting to put me through the pain of another bad sample. My Rhuemy wants do some other work up on me. Not sure what. I'm a little nervous.

I've been using Spiriva nearly 10 years and this year my PSA results spiked from less than 1 to above 6. Where did you get your info regarding the statistics on prostate cancer, as I would much like to study it.

Tonya and others were on track regarding meds causing your symptoms. I come from the other perspective. Everyone thought I had Sjogren's syndrome and NOT MS. I had a Schirmer's test done and my results were 1 mm. Long story, short...after 4 years my wise MS neuro (who in his notes also thought Sjogrens) ordered a lip biopsy, as it is the gold standard for diagnosing this condition. My biopsy came back negative and my dx was given.

My mother got her DX through a lip biopsy. She tested negative for the blood panels for Sjogren's Syndrome (SS-B &SS-B). An opthmalogist can DX, just like they did in Dennis's case. My mother went through an ENT surgeon. An opthamologist can DX through the: Schirmer Test Measures tear production. Rose Bengal and Lissamine Green Eyedrops containing dyes that an eye care specialist uses to examine the surface of the eye for dry spots.

I live in pain everyday. I have two doctors. My Rheumatologist takes care of my autoimmune diseases with vitamins. My Neurologist takes care of the pain from Lupus and Sjogren's with Gabapentin. I suffer from tremors now and am taking Primidone to stop them. It doesn't always work. My GP takes care of my Hashimoto's with Levothyroxine. I also have high cholesterol and am taking Atorvastatin. I no longer have an immune system, which really frightens me.

Irritating, isn't it ? I have CFS and yet I have a positive ANA titer and once had pleurisy symptoms.... a symptom of lupus. I have dry eyes and I'm always thirsty and so a physician could diagnose me with Sjogren's Syndrome. I also have poor circulation (cold hands / cold feet), and am now finding out that pretty much every chronically ill person has this and does not have Raynauds necessarily ! Many people with these syndromes and autoimmune illnesses have overlapping symptoms.

Hi. ENA is positive in only around 25% of cases of Sjogren's Syndrome. JO-1 antibodies are not indicative of Sjogren's but of some other rheumatic diseases (myositis). The antibodies most closely associated with primary Sjogren's Syndrome are anti-SS-A and anti-SS-B. Since you have been tested for these and have been found to be negative, you most probably do not have Sjogren's Syndrome.

It's that external or internal ear dryness? One of my symptoms of hypothyroidism is excessive ear wax (need to have the wax syringed out from time to time). Ugh! :) If hormone replacement is not improving the dryness, then Sjogren's syndrome is a possibility. Sjogren's syndrome is an autoimmune disease where lymphocytes and antibodies attack the body's moisture producing glands.

Wondering if there is anyone else in Alaska with Sjogren's syndrome? Sometimes I feel so alone when over half of the doctors I see tell me they have never heard of Sjogren's syndrome before and the other half say they have never treated Sjogren's syndrome before.

Is anyone aware of a linkage between isotretonoin (Accutane), used for treating cystic acne, and Sjogren's, which is linked to the epithelial cells? At 21, when Accutane first appeared, doses were higher than current (I remember my skin bleeding when scratching lightly with a fingernail). I am now 51, and have had Reynaud's for a number of years, and was just diagnosed with Sjogren's. Just curious if anyone has seen this?

I'm not sure if it is Sjogren's but the dry eyes and dry mouth are definitely symptoms of Sjogren's disease. You may want to see your primary care physician for a proper diagnosis. They'll probably do some saliva tests, a biopsy and some blood work.

dear mamij, i have a possible sjögren's syndrome diagnosis based on a positive lip biopsy, and from what i understand, you can still have it and not test positive for sjögren's antibodies. it is also a virtual MS mimic in that it can cause lesions and neurological symptoms. what are the newer symptoms that make your doc feel you have a demyelinating disease? are you scheduled for an MRI?

Hi ! My mother has Sjogren's syndrome and she's on the same treatment that I'm doing. She hasn't had acupuncture done, but is addressing the pathogens that are involved with her illness. For more information, check out http://www.immed.

my husband has copd he uses adviar spiriva and combivent and it doesnt work what can it be thak you

I finished treatment in 2012 and was undetected at my 6 month appt. I am pretty late on getting the one year PCR but I know the chances of the virus returning are extremely low. I have been dealing with some symptoms that are impacting my life and emotional health and I am looking to hear if anyone has experienced the stuff I am dealing with lately. *Diagnosed with inflammation of the bladder before my HCV was diagnosed...caused frequent urination and I still deal with this today.

I Have a greater than 8 sjogren's anti-ss-a test, with an ast of 44 and alt of 62. Te test shows a positive ana and a sed rate of 60. Does this indicate lupus? I do not have dry eye or mouth. Any ideas?

Today my Rheumatologist called and said my blood work checking for the antibodies that are sometimes found in SJogre's came back negative. She went on to explain that this does not mean that I don't have Sjogren's syndrome, and that the test being positive helps to Confirm the DX. Now, I am a little confused about this! Does this mean I do or don't have sjogren's? Is there a difference in having Sjogren's and having Sjogren's syndrome, or are they the same thing?

My doctor says this about the test results: "The numbers do not mean much. If it is positive, then it suggests Sjogren's syndrome. There is no scale for these tests. You cannot compare it to previous numbers since the tests have changed. You will likely be positive indefinitely." My first positive test result for Sjogren's was about three years ago. I had other complaints of joint problems that were being investigated then. No Sjogren's symptoms at that time.

It seems to me that it's important for all people who have Sjogren's to be seen at a Sjogren's clinic. Sjogren's crosses so many medical specialities and body systems that it would be helpful to be seen at a clinic where all specialties are present and the docs can consult with each other. When I ask my son's opthalmalogist (corneal specialist) a question, he often says, "What does the rheumatologist say?

Remember, even if you end up not officially having the disease, you still have very dry eyes and need to be on tears, oral flaxseed oil, and consider punctum plugs and restasis drops if needed.

Spiriva and sjogren's syndrome

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