New to this forum and to an informal Lupus diagnosis

Sjögren syndrome scores positive with anti-ro ab.
Do you have dry mouth or dry eyes?
The amount and quality of saliva and tears produced decreases with Sjögren syndrome, leading to a characteristic dry mouth and dry eyes that are referred to as "sicca syndrome." Other mucous membranes may also dry out. Those with this condition often have a feeling of sand or grit in the eyes, swollen salivary glands, difficulty swallowing, and a decreased sense of taste.

Hi,
Thank you both for your input. My symptoms include:
fatigue
dry eyes
blood shot eyes, drops don't help
joint pain, head to toe
deep bone pain (like a growing pain, but I'm 43)
fatigue
good days and bad days
always cold, hands and feet like ice
butterfly rash on my face
vaginal dryness
digestive problems
nose bleeds
and more...

My RA Factor was negitive, WBC count off the chart high, RBC low...not sure what other results might be pertinent. If you ask I can look at my blood work results.

My Rheumatologist appointment is Feb 29, first available. It is so incredibly difficult to wait, the unknown, no label for what this is, nothing to focus on. This forum seems like the right place to be - I read lots of posts last night and felt at home. I connected with peoples stories.

Thank you again for your feedback. I look forward to learning a lot from this forum.

My ANA Titer 1:40 H
Pattern Atypical Speckled

Vitamin D is Low 24 (norm 30-100)

Lipid Panel:
Cholesterol 180
Triglycerides 60
HDL 69 H
Chol/HDL 2.61 L
LDL 99

Oh I forgot also to mention @ your VITAMIN D level. Mine too was super low (like that of an 85 yo woman!) & this seems to be 1 of the Auto-immune disease "_TRIGGERS" so I'm sure you will be started on Vitamin D (prob rx-strength for 8 wks then OTC - over the counter strength thereafter). Also I noticed your WBC high which can be from physical or emotional stress (or even from prednisone) among a few things. I HOPE they put your puzzle together quickly! I am putting a prayer out there for you! Angelina

Please don't worry, just make the rheumotologist appointment and let them make the decisions. Online advice and information does not substitute for real doctors who can observe you!

Please remember that only your doctor knows the total picture and that it is always best to let them figure out the diagnosis rather than telling them what you think it is.

Giving them your idea tends to limit what they consider and we really want them to use their training and experience to consider *all* of the possibilities. All the online information in the world simply doesn't substitute for medical school and the scores of patients they see!

Best wishes,

Thank you for your suggestions.

At my last PCP doctor appointment she prescribed 4000 Vit D a day. My PCP didn't offer any pain medications although I did ask her for anything that would help with the joint pain and that I was extremely uncomfortable - that triggered her to do the ANA test...now I wait till the 2/29 Rheum appt.

Speaking up about how I feel is a new experience for me. I am not the type to openly complain to others about how I feel, this will be a big change for me. I have read in several places it is important to speak up because Lupus isn't so much a visual disease, meaning you look normal but don't feel that way. It is my nature to give so receiving help is a bit awkward.

Does anyone attend support meetings? Are they helpful?

I appreciate your feedback and ideas.
Have a great evening!

I will be 41 next month. I started having troubles, tests, & problems since I was 18. I was having alot of pain in my knees when I was 28, so my family Dr. sent for an ANA test. It came back positive, but hasn't showed positive since. My tests for inflammation are usually on the higher side. I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia & possible Lupus. I have Raynauds, hiatel hernia, restless leg syndrome, GERD, fatigue, high cholesterol, low vitamin D (which I am taking prescription for), a start of arthritis had shown in my knee some years back, often get chest pains & shortness of breath, and migraines. When I was working I was always in pain. I would get to the point I could barely stand. I was sick so often and my concentration and memory was getting so bad, along with Pleurisy every year, so I had to stop working. I have tried different meds over the years, but usually have problems with side effects so I go off of them. My Rheum. put me on Methotrexate to see how I respond. I was nervous about side effects & long term problems, but tried it. I felt a slight improvement, but not enough to take the risk, so went off it. Within no time I got a swollen lymp node on the back of my neck and started to feel completely horrible. My family doc did blood work and found I had Epstein Barr. I was weak for months and had trouble recovering. The past couple years I have had terrible pain in my finger joints. Hard to write, clean, even hold an eating utensil at times. I told my Rhem. about the pain in my hands & all he does is look at them and say, "hmm." More recenetly I have had problems with pins and needles or numbness in arms, hands, legs, and feet, and a feeling of pulled muscles in my calves at times. I am going to see a Neurologist at the end of this month. Wish I had a definite name to my problem. Prayers to all of you.