Dry Eyes Support Group

I have a dx of that as far as I know. I have had chronic dry eyes since very young and dry mouth to the point of it making my teeth hurt, I also get the other dryness though haven't really talked on that.

I have heard there are tablets for dry eyes. So far they have told me to use drops. The drops last maybe 5-10 minutes at most. I'd rather not use the salve type one. They have also told me to blink more and that I don't blink enough. But it's hard to constantly think "hey blink more" It should more be instinctual. When I had my eye test last fall they said the drops normally dry in most people in about 5sec mine was about 1-2 sec and the doc said it was the worst they had seen.

I'm wondering what the pills actually do because of other allergies/intolerances. Despite my diagnosis too a regular doctor will shrug off things because they don't normally deal with it and I have a volume of stuff.(right now contending with hair thinning and I don't know why. TSH was normal and no stressors to cause it either. Alarming too when the hair dresser says something to you and your female under the age of 40. So now I've got to book with a dermatologist *sigh*)

They did run the ANA panel on me years ago. I originally tested with a +2 for anti dna or anti ana. About 2 years ago I had the test done again and it apprently fell into normal range this time. I do not have any hep either(been repeatedly tested for it though I'm low risk) yet I have high liver enzymes(I figure maybe years of arthritis med contributed to that or arthritis is attacking it).

thanks u for the advice- I have been wondering how to get checked ffor Sjogrens- very helpful b/c I am 26- in pain 24/7 with dry eyes that 1/2 the time look like I took a huge hit off a bong- I don't smoke- and my mouthe feels like cotton mouth- and once again- I do not smoke MJ. I will ask my doc about this- hairrocks

hahaha hairocks if you dont smoke how do you know what your eyes look like after taking a hit from a bong?

i too have the same thing, but its only ever between the eye lids, like if i look under my eye lids the eye is white. where it is read gets so stingy sometimes i think they are about to bleed.

i just hardened up and lived with dry eyes and mouth. doctors here didnt seem too concerned as painful as it is.

Thank you Dr. O for adding your comment "Anyone with dry eyes, dry mouth or vaginal dryness at a young age...without other explanation...should also be tested for Sjogrens". I have seen 3 different Rheumys before the fourth Rheumy put all my symptoms together ( eyes, mouth, muscles, fatigue)and diagnosed me with Sjogrens. I had to keep on switching Rheumatologists until I found one who actually listened to me. I also had to believe it myself and not let the doctors drive me crazy or make me depressed. There is nothing more scary than to be sick and feel like you are not being helped by the doctor you see while your symptoms are robbing you of you life. I ipate in the Sjogren's Reseach in California.

Thanks Dr.O

is the ANA specific for Sjogrens or is it a general test,.. I have had tests for arthritis, but not Sjogrens, but have wondered about it, lately, as some of my symptoms have been ongoing for way too many years, but didnt connect them till I was Dx'd with Severe Dry Eye just recently. And There are a number of Autoimmune disorders in my family. I am going to see the GP in the next month and will ask for the test if it is specific in the panel. Thanks. Rachel

I have secondary sjogren. I have celiac. From 5 months i apply diet without gluten. I have steroid ( METYPRED ).

My ANA is negative. Score -3

I started getting blurry vision and didn't know why. I went to an opthomologist and all they found was my eyes were dry. I could not tell, and I don't have a dry mouth. She is still leaning toward Sjogrens. I believe it is usually secondary to a primary illness such as RA or Lupus. I still have blurry vision though despite the drops. Is there anything else they can do?