New Member Elaine

[laine]

Hi,
My name is Elaine and I was diagnosed with connective tissue disease 6 years ago, then I was told it was Sjogren's syndrome about a year later.
I have severely dry eyes and also dry mouth, dry nose, breathing troubles due to dryness. I also get swollen glands and achy joints but they are less frequent than they were. My eyes cause me the most bother and the pain associated with them is directly related to hormonal fluctuations.
I am a fighter and even though I feel very very low at times I always seem to bounce back and am always trying new approaches to dealing with this disease. The pain can be very intense and I am lucky that I have a loving husband who is there to help me through. He gives a wonderful massage and emotional support!
Currently I am using bion tears. All others flare up my blocked meibomian glands causing irritation and pain. I also use biking goggles to trap moisture while in the house and out of the house I have to wear wraparound sunglasses, all the time, even in winter on the rainy days. I get lots of strange looks but anyone else would do the same if they were in as much pain as I am. I use humidifiers in the house and cold packs which help with the pain.
Anyway, I guess that is it for now. Hope to see you around the board and hope I can offer some help to some of you in the future,
Elaine

[Lucy]

Hi Elaine-
I've just been diagnosed with Sjogrens myself and we aren't sure but there seems to be connective tissue stuff going on too. I just have not been through all the "other" stuff yet that often goes along with Sjogrens. I am just starting treatment systemically and doing well from where I was with nothing.

On the "eye issue" I am a 7 year long issue. It started with lasik surgery and it's been a long, hard trip since. This board is the place to be for eye problems, that I know. No matter the cause of our dry eye, the solutions are few. Looking for relief is often hit and miss, with most of it missing. If you're happy with your present drops, that is great.

If you ever want to try something else that is non-RX, the drops available on the Dry Eye Zone are very good and work for many. Might be something to have up your sleeve if the need arises. They are described all over the board and I'll just say that they are my favorite drops. I do not use them exclusively though, and often have TheraTears or Refresh around the house too.

There are several posters with Sjogrens on DEZ. I was here long before I knew I had Sjogrens. Damn dry eyes have been my constant companion and nightmare.

RE: wraparounds. I have prescription Panoptx goggles with a foam seal and you should see the looks I get wearing those around stores, doctor offices, restaurants and (especially) casinos. That's where I really need them. I wear mine around the house also much of the time. They have transition lens, but in Michigan, we don't see the sun much.....so I don't get to use the darkened lens often.
Lucy