Sjogren's Syndrome Support Group
Sjogren's syndrome is an autoimmune disorder in which immune cells attack and destroy the exocrine glands that produce tears and saliva. It also associated with rheumatic disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, and it is rheumatoid factor positive in 90 percent of cases.
Hi all,
I know that there was a very recent question about getting sick and the flu shot, etc...Well i have a few more questions and concerns.On the Lupus board the folks over there will usually say that since their immune system is comprimised due to the meds they take that lower their natural immune defenses one should not take any med or shots that will make their immune systems stronger. Ok now I can honestly say I see this logic. However I have to go to school for 8 months, 20 hours per week. After this I hope to become a HIRED medical assistant. I can not afford to miss school or work.
Because of this I did take the flu shot and the pneumonia shot. That was about 3 weeks ago. I had a cold one week beore that, I am currently suffering through a cold wth sinus and the horrible pressure headache and I alo have some sort of stomach virus going on. Also my Cytomegalovirus has flared up causing neck and back of my head pain. I am very frustrated at this point. I have found out Iam probably also suffering from Autonomic Nerve Disorder that Sjogrens people get who do not take good care of themselves. Well I have been dxed with dry eye and a past rheumy looked at my mouth and said she knew for sure Ihad dry mouth bu t I would need to get a lip biopsy to have the diagnosis confirmed. I went to another rheumy for RA and told him about the Sjogrens and when I came back he told me I did not hav RA and I also did not hav Sjogrens. This was after I had SPECIFICALY told him I had Sjogrens. He justwent by the blood markers. I have bipolar and most doctors can not see pastthe fact that theyTHINK I want good drugs or that I am a hypochondriac to the more realistic fact that many bipolar people are extremeley sensitive to drugs yet we oftn get negative results for blood tests that should be positive. Anyway, Ireally want to take Plaquenell but I am going to have to see a allergy doctor/immunoligist. So I hav been taking echinichia and lots of Vitamin C and irrigating my sinuses and using Vicam allergy nose spray and drinking Robitusin. I have a horrible issue right now with mucus. It is very sticky and sometimes yellow and sometimes green. I dont know if I shouldsee the doctor or ride it out. I do have one illness after anothe though. Its hard.
I know that there was a very recent question about getting sick and the flu shot, etc...Well i have a few more questions and concerns.On the Lupus board the folks over there will usually say that since their immune system is comprimised due to the meds they take that lower their natural immune defenses one should not take any med or shots that will make their immune systems stronger. Ok now I can honestly say I see this logic. However I have to go to school for 8 months, 20 hours per week. After this I hope to become a HIRED medical assistant. I can not afford to miss school or work.
Because of this I did take the flu shot and the pneumonia shot. That was about 3 weeks ago. I had a cold one week beore that, I am currently suffering through a cold wth sinus and the horrible pressure headache and I alo have some sort of stomach virus going on. Also my Cytomegalovirus has flared up causing neck and back of my head pain. I am very frustrated at this point. I have found out Iam probably also suffering from Autonomic Nerve Disorder that Sjogrens people get who do not take good care of themselves. Well I have been dxed with dry eye and a past rheumy looked at my mouth and said she knew for sure Ihad dry mouth bu t I would need to get a lip biopsy to have the diagnosis confirmed. I went to another rheumy for RA and told him about the Sjogrens and when I came back he told me I did not hav RA and I also did not hav Sjogrens. This was after I had SPECIFICALY told him I had Sjogrens. He justwent by the blood markers. I have bipolar and most doctors can not see pastthe fact that theyTHINK I want good drugs or that I am a hypochondriac to the more realistic fact that many bipolar people are extremeley sensitive to drugs yet we oftn get negative results for blood tests that should be positive. Anyway, Ireally want to take Plaquenell but I am going to have to see a allergy doctor/immunoligist. So I hav been taking echinichia and lots of Vitamin C and irrigating my sinuses and using Vicam allergy nose spray and drinking Robitusin. I have a horrible issue right now with mucus. It is very sticky and sometimes yellow and sometimes green. I dont know if I shouldsee the doctor or ride it out. I do have one illness after anothe though. Its hard.
If you don't want to go into the doctor, I would at least call the nurse and see what they recommend for you. Have you tried the neti pot to try to irrigate your sinuses? You may have a lot of dryness up there that's causing your mucous to be really thick. Then neti pot will help to moisten your sinuses-- without chemicals.
I got my flu shot. I felt bad for a few days after but I'm glad I got it. If you're going to be working around people who are ill, it's probably a good idea to get one.
Be careful you're not taking the Robitusin with decongestant. It will raise your blood pressure. If you don't have thryroid issues, try cloricidin-- made for those of us with high blood pressure.
Also, cold medicine with Guaifenesin as then ingredient is a good expectorant and won't raise your blood pressure.
Well sounds like your getting cold after cold and it is the season for it. I would suggest staying away from the echinichia though because you don't want anything strengthening your immune system. This will only make you feel worse and possibly cause your body to go into overdrive and attack itself.
Some people on the Lupus board don't do shots but I do. I was worried last year because of the H1N1 and all the controversy surrounding that but this year I got the combined shot and got over any side effects I had after 2 days. Its good to get both shots, the pneumonia and flu each year. I also have been getting colds and my lungs got effected by this recent one. My daughter is in school and has gotten croup and 2 additional colds so far. It can be miserable when your getting hit with one after another. I am trying to wash my hands more and I am taking better precautions. Try to keep some kind of antibacterial wipes with you all the time, and stay away from crowds. Sometimes you just can't avoid it because I know its not worth the social isolation to stay away from bugs. But I find that your body will fight them without any immune stimulants just fine.
It is still safe to take vitamin C but not anything over 1,000 iu. Again stay away from echinichia that can make you even sicker. Take care!
Hi Allison Thank you for your reply! Yes I really am glad that I took the flu and pneumona shots because I will be going to school to become a medical assistant and I will always be surrounded by crowds. I guess I wll have to learn to adopt new habits and also adapt. I amgoing to ask a question of all who wish to answer abou the Echinicia because alot of the lupus people refuse to take any echinicia and are very outspoken about it. Since you are on that board also I am sure you know what I mean. All I know is that since I have been taking the echinicia I have developed the horrible extreme fatigue once again. I hate that and it needs to be nipped in the bud......HaHa that was a good pun, huh? Anyway I am going to post about it and see what the other folks have to say as well. BTW--my13 yo is home sick again. For the 9th time this year so I do know what you mean!
Hope you feel better. Sinus washes are also helpful. I got a baby aspirator and you mix one teaspoon full of salt in a cup of warm water hold your head over the sink to the side and fill the aspirator and skirt into one nostril about three or four times and then do the other nostril the same way. Do this twice a day while you are having these symptoms and then maybe just do it regularly once a day. But, it sounds like you need an antibiotic at this point also.
Yes, I am glad I did get the flu and pneumonia shots. I wish they had one for sinusitis and bronchitis. I made my appointment today with the allergy doctor but they do not do lip biopsies. I can not afford the dentist. I dont know who to go to for that. I just want the diagnosis so I can take Plaquenel. I used to take Prednisone and I had lots of energy. They took me off it and now I am worn out all the time. Everyone says Plaquenel works good. Thanks again!!!
You would actually go to an ENT for the salivary gland biopsy. I had mine done last year and he did it in an outpatient surgery center which is covered under medical insurance. It only took a few minutes and I was drugged so I didn't really notice any pain. I have sjogrens and RA and I get the flu vaccine every year. The pneumonia immunization lasts for 5 years (I think)....it may be 3. I would ask your doctor. I would definitely support getting the vaccines. I hope you are feeling better soon! Marcie
Thanks for your reply! I am so happy to know I can go to the ENT! I acually have been to the ENT on my insurance before and even better I don't owe him any money!! LOL!! I am happy to learn this because I am trying to "take care of bidniz" so to speak. I start medical assistant school next Monday and I go M-F from 10-2pm for 7 months and then a 160 hour externship right after that. My husband thinks I am crazy to be going to the allergist next week because he thinks I am setting myself up for more worries and possibls sicknesses. I am also going to start the series of immunizations that nurses normally get as well. I know I am taking chances but it will all be worth it when I am able to find a job and get a raise because of no absences. That means a new bed for my youngest son and a computer for my oldest.
Thanks so much for the info! BTW--I have been going through RA testing for almost 4 years now. My RA factor has to get to 30 and my sed rate needs to start climbing more. So far my RAF is 21 and it has oome up from 6 4 years ago to 21 now. My sed rate is moving much slower it started out at 0 and it is now 6. I figure another year to a year and a half and I should get the RA diagnosis. I do know that RA, Sjogrens and Raynauds usually group together. I already have been diagnosed with Raynauds. People always say "why are you so anxious to get diagnosed with these things and I just smile and say "Ohhhh, Plaquenel and biologics!!" They can usually tell I am being sarcastic. But the thing is I am actually being quite honest! Im just tired of s-i-c-k. Its a horrible 4 letter word. Now my husband caught my cold that I was finally over and I can tell my "whatever" is coming back because I am coughing more and have insomnia. ~~sigh~~