Rheumatoid Arthritis Support Group

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, inflammatory, multisystem, autoimmune disorder. It is a disabling and painful condition which can lead to substantial loss of mobility due to pain and joint destruction. The disease is also systemic in that it often also affects many extra-articular tissues throughout the body including the skin, blood vessels, heart, lungs, and...

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didyann 01/21/2014

Has anyone else noticed that their skin and eyes feel like its drying up. I'm on Orencia infusions and Celebrex. I have never in my life had a problem with either. Here lately it's kinda driving me nuts. I have eye drops and hand lotion in just about every room of my house.

deleted_user 01/21/2014

Depending on the severity of the dryness, auto immune conditions tend to run hand in hand. I developed sjogrens about a year after the RA diagnosis. My eyes became so dry I was losing my eyesight as the top layer of my eye was peeling up like and onion skin. my mouth and throat stayed so dry I was constantly coughing but I wasn't sick it was the dryness and I had a hard time swallowing food due to the lack of moisture. I am now on pilocarpine (generic for salagen) and it has done a wonderful job in helping with the severe dry issues and for my eyes I am on Restasis and systane ultra drops, systane is over the counter. On the other hand some of these drugs cause dryness and it is winter to boot so you should talk to your doctor about it.

carrottop50 01/21/2014

I have Sjogrens which is another autoimmune disease that causes a lot of dryness..and seems to go hand in hand with RA... There is another support board for it on here... so you can check it out. Maybe something to talk to your dr about. My eyes get so dry and gritty my dr told me to get Genteal Eye drops which are over the counter... there are also prescription meds for the dry eyes if they really get bad.... My skin is also dry but so is my mouth. I don't know if dryness is normal for RA alone but I am sure others on here can tell you. It can make you miserable so hope you get to feeling better soon.

didyann 01/21/2014

She tested me for Sjogrens it came out negative. That's a good thing I guess

bluedogs2 01/21/2014

Thanks 51percent - I needed that information and tonight especially

Be well
Bluedogs2

Lisa-Witt 01/22/2014

I also have lotion and eyedrops in a couple rooms. Also chapstick. It's been aggravating because it took me 12 years to finally trade my glasses for contacts and I can only wear them for short periods because of the dryness.

sammyo1 01/22/2014

I have SJ also. Same problem with eyes & skin. Although I've used lotion most of my life & it's the one thing I'm never out of.
The eyes drive me crazy. Im bringing it up next appointment. I do put olive oil in my lotion & use olive oil soap by Kiss My Face.
It seems to work very well.
Also take supplement skin hair & nails from the compound pharmacy. This works without a doubt.

Thanks for the info Jen that info about the lungs could explain the dry cough I get from time to time.
Good luck, Sammy

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