When I was diagnosed, I had not been able to work for a while. I was hoping that, with a diagnosis, I would be able to get things under control and go back to work. My diagnosing physician was not encouraging about that. She said that Sjogren's was a "chronic", condition that would be with me the rest of my life, just like diabetes. She told me I would have times where I MIGHT feel almost normal, but that those days would not come with enough regularity to promise an employer I would be able to be at work daily and be able to do the job fully. I was an RN.
I have tried to prove her wrong. On those almost normal days, I try to go back to a full schedule, but always wind up paying for it.. Doesn't mean I will stop taking advantage of them, just that, so far, she has been correct.
I think this type of disease is hard to predict for everyone. Just by reading what I have on the site, everyone responds differently not only to the disease, but also, to medications. I can function on a daily basis, but I can't work regularly. Others seem to be plagued to the point that they can barely make it through the day. On the other hand, I have a friend who was diagnosed with SS and Fibromyalgia around the same time I was, was settled in on Plaquenil, restasis, and cymbalta within a year of diagnosis and is still at work full time. I don't think she is a stronger person than I am. We have gone through so many personal trials together over the years and are a lot alike. I think, THANK GOD, her medication regimine and body's response to them make it possible for her to function better.

I have read and been told that if found soon after diagnosis high levels of DS anti DNA are a predictor of a more severe course of disease.

I thought DS anti DNA was a blood test to determine if you had Lupus in addition to Sjogrens. I could be wrong. Can anyone clear that up?

Mines been with me for 15 yrs+ and over that period it has gotten worse. It's been about the same now for 3-4yrs with the help of plaquenil and a solid diet and vitamin/exercise regimens.

I am not sure if you have primary whether its gets worse , but I'm pretty sure if you have secondary your in trouble. Why, because the other syndromes like Raynaud's and RA don't just get better by themselves.
I've read where people have completely just cleared up although I didn't read it was a secondary patient.

Mines also come and gone but now mostly stays with me.
The biggest thing imo is accepting the fact it's here to stay , expect the worse pray for the best.

I always ask in my prayers for a reprieve I'm guessing most of us do. My beliefs are secondary is here to stay and gets worse over the years. Primary depending on how severe can be managed better in some cases.
Flares are for me the worst part. I get one I can sleep for days and my joints hurt - seems the more flares you have the worse the symptoms get over time. Maybe they take something out of you?
I'd guess they do.

So I'd have to say things get worse over time , but we learn to manage it better so it balances out some.

http://www.hopkins-arthritis.org/ask-the-expert/systemic-lupus-erythemato-022/anti-ds-dna-test-734.html

Thank you, Tom. You are always so helpful and knowledgeable. Great site by the way! Lots of useful information in it that I've been checking out.
Thanks again,
Lace