My year

Well, I was recently diagnosed with Sjögren’s syndrome and Oral Lichen Planus within two weeks of each other. I’m 31, well 32 in 5 Days. This past year has been a nightmare. I’ve been sick,depressed, tired and just off. I’ve missed months of work from not feeling well. And doctors telling me I’m fine.

Then a few months ago in September I started having numbness and tingling in my anterior neck, chest, shoulders and hands and feet. I went to the Dr. I had the X-rays and the ultrasounds, everything seemed fine according to the test. So my Doc suggested PT. Mind you I had already been doing my own care regimen of getting Massage, cupping, Chiropractic, doing yoga, biofeedback therapy. Now to start PT, phew! Add it to the list. So I did. Oh I also may add I’m a licensed massage therapist and I LOVE my job! So when my body is doing these weird things I’m trying everything in my power to turn things around so I can still be able to do my awesome amazing job!

Physical therapy was going good, it was helping(I think). Then a week n a half ago one night, a Friday evening my gums felt irritated like I got something stuck in them. So I flossed. No biggie. Then I woke up and the whole right side of my upper gums were swollen and my lymph node under my jawline was swollen too. My thought was great.. I’m getting sick! Then Sunday I woke up and the whole mouth was swollen and bugging me and both lymph nodes under my jawline were swollen and painful. My husband and I had plans that day with the family, so we made it work. And I complained a little, we went on with our plans. We went up to a condo where our family was and we ate But when I ate it hurt to chew food, like even soft food! The more the day went on the worse the pain got and sweeping got worse and heat was radiating from my head and neck. By the end of the night I knew something was wrong and I had to go to the a Dentist. At the time, I thought I had a infected tooth or abscess.

By morning I was in horrible Pain, swelling was visible and I was miserable! So I went straight to the Dentist office. I had to wait to be seen. After 2 hours I couldn’t wait anymore and I was in tears. So they finally got me back. It took them what seemed like forever. And I thought well I just need antibiotics and I’ll be on my way and then come back for a filling or root canal. But No the Dentist told me I had Oral Lichen Planus. And this was foreign to me. I was in so much pain and so emotional that I wasn’t really comprehending what he meant. He had to explain it a few times. So I couldn’t just get antibiotics and be on my way.. “antibiotics won’t help”, he said. Crap! Ok what does this mean?! I start panicking in my head. He had to consult with my PCP, which is in the same clinic, Thankfully. They came up with me getting on Corticosteroids and prescribing pain pills. So I go get my new meds and head home.

They had set up appointments for me to see my Dr. And Dentist again in a week. Well I’m not very good at waiting, and the more I researched Oral Lichen Planus, my lymph nodes should not have been as swollen as they were. I wanted answers, help, more testing done.

So I called and I couldn’t get into my Dr but was able to get into a Colleague of my Dr’s. And on the same day I was able to get in and see a Naturopathic Doctor also. So I was determined to find some answers. Anyways ND told me to get tested for Hep C. I got a list of supplements, toothpaste, mouthwash and things to avoid from ND. So I went to MD and told him all my frustrations with this whole year the fatigue, depression, numbness, and now swollen lymph nodes and Oral Lichen Planus.

So he started asking me if I have dry or irritated eyes, dry mouth, get a weird sensation when I eat sour things. I was like yes. And I have numbness in my hands and feet off and on. He felt my face and swollen lymph nodes and along my jawline too and he said it was swollen also. So he was going to test my blood for Sjogren’s syndrome antibodies. So I was getting three blood tests, Sjögren’s syndrome, Lupus and Hepatitis C. Well he called yesterday with the results and a negative on Lupus and Hepatitis C. But came back Positive for Sjogren’s syndrome. So next I’m going to Rheumatologist.

Im relieved in a way to find out what’s been causing all this but I’m also freaked because I want to get better. I recently just accepted a new job, a better paying job, with benefits etc. I’m suppose to start on Jan. 2nd but I haven’t felt good since I stopped the corticosteroids. I’m dizzy, lightheaded, nauseous and have no energy. I get winded just taking a shower. So I’m not sure what to do with all this now. Any advice .. any ideas please feel free... thank you!