Newly Diagnosed Sjogerns

HI everyone! I've been on the Lupus forum for about a month now, but was diagnosed yesterday with Sjogerns instead, so I thought I'd make my way over here :)

I was wondering what would make the Rhuemy diagnose Sjogerns instead of Lupus? The only thing off with my blood work was ANA at 1:640. My Sojogerns panel was normal too. Sed rate: normal. RA factor: normal.

I would say that I have more Lupus-related symptoms than Sjogerns (my eyes are not dry). My mouth is semi-dry, but I've never had any dental issues (not even a cavity in my 31 years). I have had a very sore sternum and rib pain (costoconritis) and my lower back and hip pain is pretty bad at time (but today is good, yay!). I've also noticed a lot of balance-related issues, quick stabbing ear pain, throat/jaw tightness.

She even went ahead and prescribed me Plaquenil. I did not ask for it or suggest any medicine....so I'm a little confused why she'd do that with a mild form of Sjogerns. Most people I've encountered are un-medicated for this diagnosis and even for Lupus....makes me wonder if she expects it to progress? I have another follow up in a month, so I suppose I'll ask these questions then. But thought I'd give you guys a try in the mean time!
TIA!

Nope! Only Sjogrens! Neither blood work was positive (lupus or Sjogrens) and I had no biopsy either.

Are ear pains normal? I'm having 5-10 second sharp ear pains for the last 3 days.....with balance issues and just feeling "off". I'm so confused on whether to treat everything like "it's the auto immune disease" or to treat it has its own thing. Possible ear infection?

I'm so frustrated with this already.

With Sjogren's, my ears itch a lot (deep inside) from the dryness. My rhuemy said to put a bit of cortisone cream on a q-tip and they generally helps relive the itching. I've also had sharp stabbing pains from time to time ; I never seen to have them long enough to mention to the Dr.

Only a Dr can tell if it's an ear infection or Sjogren's, either can give you a bit of dizziness or off-balance feeling. I've had vertigo for 2-3 weeks at a time (who knows if it's Lupus or Sjogren's, but definitely some type of irritation.) All they've ever suggested is over-the-counter motion sickness medications.

Between Lupus & Sjogren's, neither is "worse than" or "better than" the other. Either disease can range from fairly mild to quite severe.