It means that you have tested positive to early Sjogrens syndrome, whether the SS is primary or secondary Sjogrens would depend on whether you have another autoimmune disease concurrently. Your doctor has not tested for antibodies in salivary gland to obtain a conclusive diagnosis of Sjogrens?

Thanks. I have multiple autoimmune diseases e.g Colitis, IBS. GRED, Meniere, joint pain etc the list goes on

I just recognized you asked me a question. No I have an rheumatologist appointment Mon therefore it is only the blood test so far

I hope that your doctor would find the correct diagnosis so that you can receive treatment, although treatment for the different types of autoimmune diseases are quite similar. Best wishes, and take care.

Thanks. Is the salivary gland test done by blood test? I asked because on blood test results it shows Salivary protein SP 1 but that seems normal. I will know more on Mon.

The salivary gland test is a biopsy of the lip to look for inflammation of the salivary gland.

Thanks for the information

Andromeda, I need help and is dazzed.
I saw a rhematologist today and he would not stop talking and did not really answer most of my questions. He said fibromyalgia.

BUT he did not answer my other plus he said that he does not know what CARBONIC ANHYDRASE VI (CA VI) IGM ANTIBODIES* and PAROTID SPECIFIC PROTEIN (PSP) IGM ANTIBODIES means? Meaning he does not know the words. I feel lose

Rose, I. think perhaps you should change rheumatologist. Your rheumy should know what these markers mean because Sjogrens is treated by a rheumatologist. How old is your rheumy, because younger ones are up to date with tests and test interpretations? Or you can go and consult an immunologist for second opinions. My autoimmune conditions were diagnosed by an immunologist, and I was referred to a rheumatologist for treatment and management.

Fibromyalgia is a generic diagnosis when not all the symptoms fit. With autoimmune conditions, (and you have many), symptoms will manifest slowly over time, so it may take a few years before a positive diagnosis is given.

I was diagnosed with secondary Sjogrens and treated for it (along with my other AI conditions) for 8 years. When my rheumy retired, the new one downgraded the SS to sicca syndrome because some of the SS markers became normal. I am not particularly concerned but quite thrilled with the downgrading. Anyhow, treatment for Sjogrens is almost identical to that for my lupus condition anyway.

I know it is frustrating, but we AI sufferers have to consult multiple physicians to arrive at a positive diagnosis any way. Hope that helps, and take care.

Hi,
I am so tried now. Like I want to go to sleep. He is a fibromyalgia rheamtologist. My therapist recommed him and today I spoke to her and she said he does not specialized in much. I feel set up because my therapist keeps acting like a doctor and now I have to see my PCP because this rhematologist is clueless and my therapist now said that she will not get involved anymore in my medical issues because my medical issues is complicated and I told her that I told her from last year til now.

My medical case manager said that my PCP have to refer me because of this. She said to show my PCP. BUT my appointment is next month. I want to cry because this rhametologist act just like my therapist over talk me, ignore me, and could careless. BUT now she my therapist said that she will no longer get involved yet she does not gets it. Finding a new therapist is very hard for me because I am doing it alone. Been drain makes it hard . Today by eyes started to hurt me because I have dry eyes also.
Everyone aid that Sjorgen makes sense because of my history and test BUT it is just this rhematologist and he does not specialized in much. My case manager said all rhemaotolgist are different. Now is to find the right one. My new PCP has his own rhematologist so maybe it will work out fine

It seems your therapist is acting beyond her capacity as a psychotherapist through her recommendation of her friend (your rheumy) even though she knew his capacity is limited. This is a conflict of interests and since you have confronted her about this conflict, it is her duty to withdraw from treating you if you continue to see that rheumatologist. It is not that your therapist will not get involved in your medical issues, she is forbidden to intervene in your medical issues because she has no medical training and should not be giving you medical advice. Your therapist has breached the code of conduct of a health professional, and she knows it - this is the reason for her withdrawal from your treatment.

I think perhaps you can defer your appointment with the rheumatologist, and ask your PCP to refer you to a reputable rheumatologist to get a proper diagnosis. I was initially diagnosed by an immunology professor (one of the reputable immunologists in the world) in a university teaching hospital, and was referred by her to a rheumatologist with postgraduate degrees in the UK, US and Canada. Perhaps you can approach a university hospital to inquire about a rheumatology clinic, and ask them who is the best rheumatology professor there whom your PCP can refer you to. Don't waste time and money with doctors who lack experience and knowledge, otherwise they will diagnose you with ridiculous diseases. and give you incorrect treatment.

The treatment for early Sjogrens is Plaquenil, so if you are already on this for your other AI diseases, then you already have good coverage. To treat the symptoms, I would use Biotene oral balance gel for the dry mouth, and use a lubricant eye drops for your dry eyes. I use Thera Tears eye drops for my dry eyes, three times a day. If you work with computers and stare at the screen all day, or that you sit in an air-conditioned room, then your dry eyes will worsen in which case, you will need to increase the frequency of your eye drops.

Or perhaps you only have sicca syndrome where the symptoms are similar to SS but without showing positivity to all of the SS markers. Whatever the diagnosis, it would be good to get a confirmation from the physicians, otherwise we would all just speculating as AI diseases are quite similar. Hope that helps, and best wishes.

Hi
Thanks. I told my therapist that I will take advice from my PCP and she said okay, She is still my therapist. I told her that non of my other former therapist ever gave me medical advice but always support me. My main case manager wants me to find a new therapist.

My former therapist had asked me to look another therapist due to what this therapist is doing. I tried but been fatigue a lot and has limited support it is hard. Maybe I can look again because my current therapist is going away next week.

A friend of mine did recommend her PCP and he helped diagnosed her . She said it can takes years just like what you said and last year I saw a rhematologist who said the same thing and the test that I took ( what I asked you) she recommended it before covid hit us but I could not do becuase of COVID until now. My neurologist tested me for it but not the early stage test. I mailed it to him because I will see him before I see my new PCP. He might be able to do a recommedation. I also was told that my eye doctor can test me. I see her either next week or the following week and will bring it to her.

I am just happy that the test showed something and that now I know that not rhematologist does the same thing. My therapist friend or whoever is to her seems odd and I told her. I just have a feeling that she did this purposely and I did not notice until now BUT there was signs of that she is not what she said she is. I have my homework to do and I will.

My health surrgoate is in town so maybe she can help me. I am so tired that I cries sometimes and get discouraged. Thanks for been there for me. I appreciate you

I am glad I can be of help to you. Take care, and good luck.

Thanks

Andromeda, I am seeing my neurologist today and I mailed it to him two to three weeks ago the blood test results. I want to see what he said because he was the one that started the process but back off because the test he did on sjorgen was normal but the rhematologist I saw last year wanted to do the early stage blood test but covid hits and the last July my insurance changed therefore i cannot see her. Another doctor did the blood test and that is the results i have. That doctor her staff was inappropriate and i was in my best interest to drop her (case manager from insurance got involved).

It will work out i have faith that it will. I am beginning to be mindful of what my body is feeling regardless of what any one thinks, say or do,