It is my understanding that Sjogren's is a common overlap of Lupus. One of the many doctors I've had suggested Sjogren's for me. But I was being tested for so many problems at the time that no one followed up on it. My eyes are always dry and gritty and I was using artificial tears daily. When the dryness gets really bad, my eyeballs hurt. In addition, my mouth doesn't always produce sufficient saliva, which can interfere with speech. I also had a period where my salivary glands got blocked, swelling up under my tongue. Fun time. I recently started taking a vitamin A supplement, which has helped just enough so that I don't have to use the eye drops constantly. Anyway, here's a link to the Sjogren's Foundation page listing Sjogren's symptoms. Best wishes to you.
https://www.sjogrens.org/home/about-sjogrens/symptoms

My Rheumatologist things I may have it. I do get dry eyes and mouth, also it hurts behind my eyes. Nanny, I cant believe you talked about saliva glands swelling. I noticed mine under my tongue is swollen, I also found a lesion in my mouth. My ENT said some people just have swollen areas under their tongue, but now I think I will let my Rheumatologist about it. I have to have my lesion biopsied on July 8th. Also have to have a CT scan of my sinuses because two MRI's showed they were growing, and I have never had a sinus infection. Kind of scary, but I wonder if this had anything to do with Sjogren's.

Hello jenflower,
Dry eyes can hava many causes: For example, I was diagnosed with MCTD/SLE, Sjoegren's etc, but over the years I have met many people whose eyes suffer from dryness because of air-conditioning, weather conditions etc. and they had the same dry-eyes problems like myself without suffering from MCTD/SLE/Sjoegren's etc.
Best thing is to ask your doctor for tests to find out more and by the way: Even though I suffer from Sjoegren's, the only thing that really helps me is my eye-lubricants every morning before shower and then before bed in the evenings and a few drops in each eye during the day whenever needed.
I send you my good-luck-wishes from Kristina.

jenflower,

I do have Sjogren's, as you have probably read it has many symptoms common to SLE and is commonly a secondary or overlap disease to lupus or other autoimmune diseases. I do see my ophthalmologist every 6 months and of course anytime I have a flare involving my eyes, but for the most part the medication I take for my SLE is exactly what is used to treat Sjogren's except for eye drops of course. One thing my specialist have attributed to Sjogren's vs. SLE is the esophageal inflammation and added inflammation in my GI tact, apparently Sjogren's patience have additional issues with this and I happen to be one of those lucky people. You may inquire with your opthomologist about tear duct plugs, they may help you with your dry eyes.

There is a Sjogren's group here on Daily Strength, I'm sure the folks there can answer any questions you may have as well.

Hugs,
Melissa

I am so sorry! The dry eyes is horrible. My right eye sticks to the inside of my eye. It takes awhile to get my eye open to put eye drops in both eyes. The dry mouth is horrible!! I get up all night to put eye drops in and to try and drink water all night. At times the water doesn't put any moister in my mouth. I am using Biotene right now. I'll get my Rheumatologist (when I get in to see him) to tell me how resolve this issue. It's a horrible disease! If I can help, let me know. My shoulders are very wide to cry on. Hugs!!

Yes. Unfortunately.

I recently had swelling and pain behind and below my right ear. I ended up in the ER where they did a CT scan, which showed a possible infection. I've followed up with my Rheumatologist who is running blood work for Sjogren's. I've had dry eyes and mouth for years so it's very possible that I may have it. I get the results tomorrow. Hoping for the best.

@mbond007
Let us know what your Rheumy said.