Hi wildflower. I was DX'd several years ago after my father, brother and aunt all died within 5 months of each other. My body just flared up and I ended up in the ER two days in a row. Well from there, blood tests and multiple doctors and I was DX'd with multiple auto immune problems, including Sjogrens. You are right about if you have one auto immune, you can have multiple issues. You mentioned a thyroid problem. I have Hashimotos Disease and I myself believe that a lot of my other problems and issues I have with my heart, lungs and other organs, all revolve around the thyroid not functioning properly. I say this because I have got my thyroid "under control" and everything else is doing better too. Not great, but better. I have not felt really good for several years now and don't expect I ever will.

You need to have the blood tests ran for Sjogrens. Have them run the full Lupus panel if you can, and I think this is included in that testing. When I was first DX'd with all this, they took 13 vials of blood for testing. And multiple things showed up.

There is also the prescription Restasis for the dry eyes and it really does help. My eyes used to feel like they were full of sand all the time, but with the Restasis, the dryness is reduced significantly.

Good luck and have a great day.

Your age has nothing to do with it. I've been on a Sjogren's website and there were children as young as 9 with it. They say it takes up to 6 years to diagnose.. however, since you have another autoimmune disease you should be tested . My daughter got tested by a rheumatologist . She did an ANA test plus tested for lupus. She was in her teens when diagnosed . Good luck.

Looking back I also had symptoms with my eyes from my early 20s. The Ophthalmologist just kept saying it was irritation? I was diagnosed this year by accident when they ran the Lupus/Autoimmune panel and I was very high for Sjogrens. It is often found with Lupus. Ask for test and if your ANA is positive check the pattern. Mine is Speckled and linked to Sjogrens. Good luck.

I've had RA for over 6 years and my doctor dxed me w/ Sjogren's the last visit. I've been having eye trouble for some time w/ inflammation in that eye. A steroid pack cleared it up and now the RA is under control w/ Humira and Plaquenil. But I do stay constantly dry.... my skin, mouth, I'm always drinking water or something.... and my nose. But at least my vision has cleared up.
My rheumatologist dxed me and the eye doctor agreed.

I apologize I am just now replying, but I want to thank you all for sharing your stories on how you were diagnosed. It was very helpful to hear. I am going to go to my doctor and have tests run if my dry eye does not let up soon.

Thank you again and I wish you all a happy, healthy new year.

See a rheumatologist

BTW - my blood test was negative for SS but I most definitely have it.

it is misinformation given when they say it comes on around middle age. I know a girl who is about 20 who has severe Primary SS and has had to have nerves repaired because of it.

They say it hits around middle age because that is when most are diagnosed. Many have mild symptoms at a younger age. My rheumy says I have likely had SS for 30 years or more based on my health history and the fact that autoimmune diseases run in my family. Many SS patients go 10 years or more without being properly diagnosed. Many are misdiagnosed with other AI diseases. Many are still saying SS is rare. It in reality affects many more Americans than does lupus.

Don't automatically assume you may have SS. But don't discount it either. Remember though that with some people who have SS,, it doesn't show in their blood. So make sure what ever dr you see, is well versed in our disease.

I hope you get an answer soon.

I think I've had it since childhood, but wasn't diagnosed until about 20 years later.

My eye doctor diagnosed it with several eye tests, a lip biopsy, and some other tests. My rheumatologist confirmed it using blood tests and my medical history.