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Warpy

(113,131 posts)
2. I know all about SS. And SLE. And GERD. And IBS. And RA
Sat Jun 16, 2012, 12:43 PM
Jun 2012

so ask me anything.

Sjogren's Foundation: http://www.sjogrens.org/ It used to be called "Moisture Seekers" but the board realized the cutesy poo name was turning a lot of sour sick people like me off so they went dignified. The newsletter is very informative and is still called "Moisture Seekers." They have a lot of good, solid everyday information as well as information about new drugs and treatments coming down the pipeline.

Plaquenil is a good drug but you'll need your eyes dilated and retinas looked at every 6 months. The retinal complication is rare and if caught early, won't threaten your sight completely.

Methotrexate is now also a first line drug. I took mine once a week and felt wiped out for that one day a week but the rest of the week was worth it.

Prednisone has a whole list of horrible side effects. If you need it, take it. Just realize that it will make the GERD worse and put you on an emotional roller coaster for a while. I've been on it for over 20 years, meaning you can get used to anything.

Gold salts, used in simple RA, aren't recommended for SS as a first line treatment because of increased pulmonary complications. They'll try them when you start running out of other drugs due to side effects.

The one other thing I would strongly suggest you get is a good medical dictionary. While you can look up Medicalese online when you're reading articles that are full of it, it's easier just to have the dictionary in your lap. I like Mosby's about the best but it's expensive, even in paper. http://www.amazon.com/Mosbys-Dictionary-Medicine-Nursing-Professions/dp/0323052916/ref=sr_1_8?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1339868518&sr=1-8&keywords=medical+dictionary

ETA: one person to educate besides your GP is your dentist. I educated mine and he went on to diagnose two other cases that were confirmed via blood work. He was so happy! I'm just glad that two people who were going around feeling lousy and beating themselves up for being wimps found out they're really sick.

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