Sjogren's Syndrome - Any Suggestions?

Sorry to hear about your diagnosis - hopefully it is not associated with another autoimmune condition.

As you know, there is no cure for Sjogrens; however, symptoms can be managed effectively in some people.

In any event, there are plenty of things you can do to manage the symptoms - especially if you don't have health insurance and require OTC medications / home remedies.

Dryness of the eyes (xerophthalmia) can be helped by artificial tears, using eye-lubricant ointments at night, and minimizing the use of hair dryers. Dietary addition of flaxseed oil may also benefit eye dryness.

More significant dry eyes will require ophthalmologist intervention. Of course, signs of eye infection (conjunctivitis), such as pus or excessive redness or pain, should be evaluated by the doctor.

The dry mouth (xerostomia) can be helped by drinking plenty of fluids, humidifying air, and good dental care to avoid dental decay. The salivary glands can be stimulated to produce saliva by OTC products like sucking on sugarless lemon drops or glycerin swabs. Artificial saliva preparations can ease many of the problems associated with dry mouth. Other OTC products include toothpaste, gum, and mouthwash (Biotene). Numoisyn Liquid and lozenges can also be used to treat dry mouth. Vitamin E oil has also been used with some success.

Saltwater (saline) nasal sprays can help dryness in the passages of the nose.

Beatty,

The short answers to make yourself comfortable for the dry eyes and dry mouth are artificial tears and Halls logenzes (sp).

The real answer is to see a Doc as soon as you can, get a proper diagnosis, and medications like pilocarpine and restasis. Then be checked for rhumatoid arthiritus (sp). If there is no RA then all you can do as I do is treat the symptoms, keep your mouth and eyes moist, especially your eyes so you don't scratch them.

Hope someone else can add more.

Paul

For the dry mouth you can try Biotene. The Rx drug I am on causes dry mouth. They also have a chewing gum.

Try OTC HypoTears to relieve the dry eyes.

Doctors usually prescribe Rx Restasis