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.
I want to share what has turned my SS around, I'll try not to drag this out, but I do want to help someone else if I can.
I'm 53 working full time, have had Grave's Disease (autoimmune disease) for 12 years and doing well with that. I've had dry gritty eyes for about two years and 7 months ago I began having dry mouth. My mouth was dry as paper at night, I was waking for the sip,swish and swallow at least every hour. I noticed I was conversationaly dry and needed to wet my mouth (never went anywhere without my water) and was constantly applying lip balm. I had labs that were negative per rheumatologist, but I had the hallmark symptoms. Lip biopsy has not been done and at this time I don't think I'm going to have it done.
What happend six months ago, after experiencing fatigue, began having joint pain and dreading going to bed at night; knowing what I was going to go thru, I changed alot of things. This began after reading about the connection of Candida (yeast in our bodies) and my smyptoms.
My attempt prior to this was to try a suggested gluiten free diet; which I did feel better but didn't change my dryness. What did change was trying the Anti Candida Diet, No sugar, dairy or yeast. I had expierenced such a profound change in symptoms that I have been on this change of diet for just past one month. I am sleeping well through the night, I feel good, I have energy this was incredable change for me and I may have to stay on it for ever; and that's ok. Since science does not really know what the cause of autoimmune diseases. I'm happy to help, if anyone has any questions - I'll answer what I know
I love fruit, I love baking, I love breads and cheeses; but I can tell you that the results of diet change as hard as it was; is SO worth not having Sjogren's symptoms. Hope this helps someone and thank you for reading.
I'm 53 working full time, have had Grave's Disease (autoimmune disease) for 12 years and doing well with that. I've had dry gritty eyes for about two years and 7 months ago I began having dry mouth. My mouth was dry as paper at night, I was waking for the sip,swish and swallow at least every hour. I noticed I was conversationaly dry and needed to wet my mouth (never went anywhere without my water) and was constantly applying lip balm. I had labs that were negative per rheumatologist, but I had the hallmark symptoms. Lip biopsy has not been done and at this time I don't think I'm going to have it done.
What happend six months ago, after experiencing fatigue, began having joint pain and dreading going to bed at night; knowing what I was going to go thru, I changed alot of things. This began after reading about the connection of Candida (yeast in our bodies) and my smyptoms.
My attempt prior to this was to try a suggested gluiten free diet; which I did feel better but didn't change my dryness. What did change was trying the Anti Candida Diet, No sugar, dairy or yeast. I had expierenced such a profound change in symptoms that I have been on this change of diet for just past one month. I am sleeping well through the night, I feel good, I have energy this was incredable change for me and I may have to stay on it for ever; and that's ok. Since science does not really know what the cause of autoimmune diseases. I'm happy to help, if anyone has any questions - I'll answer what I know
I love fruit, I love baking, I love breads and cheeses; but I can tell you that the results of diet change as hard as it was; is SO worth not having Sjogren's symptoms. Hope this helps someone and thank you for reading.
Thanks!
Gabrielle
I have become a super label reader. I have made it a point to shop for foods for myself; as other family members don't
have to change everything with me. I have bought some good wraps that I can use for lunch in place of a sandwhich.
I'm really enjoying eating well, and just can't believe the difference in what we eat can make.
If you are suffering any kind of autoimmune symptoms, try the diet change; I knew in just a few days that it was the
answer for me. I hope this helps!
Do you have SS symptoms?
I hope it continues to work for you.
Are you reading labels on everything you eat? I know we are all different and that there may not be one fix; but if we are just willing to try it can be such a tremendous improvement in every day life and how we feel every single day. So, I gave up dairy and used soy milk, I had no bread becuase of yeast and sugars, try to avoid the processed food becuase of the above and preservatives. If you can get through just a few days and see if you are felling much better; then it will make you want to continue. If you want ideas for food and what's ok, just look up Anti Candida Diet. Or you can look up recipes for no sugar, dairy or yeast. Also avoid vinegar as must as possible. Limit fruit to one serving per day such as one apple or small amount of berries etc.
Look up the list of ok foods. I have oats, eggs, almonds, wrap with vegies, avacado, turkey etc, meats, roasted or raw vegies. Mostly I drink water and iced tea or hot tea, black coffee.
I may add things back into my diet later, one at a time to see if I notice return of any symptoms and go from there.
I do hope you get relief of symptoms.
I believe some people have a more sensitive and vulnerable autoimmune systems. My symptoms are at bay with just changing what I eat.
Maybe I'm just gonna have to suck it up and try to eliminate it to see if it helps. I know it's good to get rid of if you're trying to lose weight, and I need to do a little more of that too. Ugh, why couldn't I have been born in the Mediterranean or Japan somewhere where they don't have all this crappy American food!?!
It's so easy to know what you need to do, but can be so hard to actually do it! Even though I know how bad eating gluten and junk food makes me feel, I still slip up sometimes and do it anyway. I tell myself that just one cookie or baguette or piece of candy won't be that bad, but certain as death and taxes I'll be sick an hour later! I'm hoping that one of these days it'll finally click in my head and I won't crave these things anymore, and I'll stop being stupid about it!!
Of course, it would be a lot easier if everyone around me conformed to the same diet that I need to. ;)
As for cheese; I love it too. I have to pass on to you something I just discovered and it is delicious!! Soy chedar cheese from Trader Joe's, (or health food store near you) it has only 40 callories and I couldn't believe how good it was. I had it melted on a low carb gluten free wrap; I'm hooked and now that is "my cheese"
If you can't get the liquid vitamins, try a small bite of banana, get it mushed up in your mouth and then pop the vitamin and swallow; it slips down real easy. As for dairy, I'm enjoying soy milk. I can't express enough how much better I'm feeling and that the sacrifice is worth it.