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lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, sicca connective tissue diseases

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Posted Today 5:20 AM (GMT 0)
hi I have been diagnosed with lupus rheumatoid arthritis and second sicca syndrome.  Does anyone have these three connective tissue diseases?

I was diagnosed in 1998 with ra.  In 2011lupus, I was diagnosed with second sicca about a two months ago but I have been suffering with dry mouth since August 2013.  I am going through hell between losing my saliva and having dry mouth,having pain due to lupus flare up, Colitis, not being able to taste anything anymore losing my appetite, and an uncontrollable cough. Is there anyone out there going through the same thing.

 

 I have been given salagen and cevelemine which is generic for evoax

prednisone for over 2yrs. and Plaqenil for about two months, omeprazole,

sulcrafate for my digestive track. Biotin, v. d3 Humira  and bromotene

cough medication.

 

d for disgusted

 

Post Edited (d for disgusted) : 12/3/2013 8:40:55 AM (GMT-7)

Posted Today 5:24 AM (GMT 0)
There is nothing that has worked to bring back my saliva my tongue is coated with a white coating. My tongue is cracked and my lips are so dried and cut up no matter how much I drink they peel.

Is anyone experiencing the same thing

Oh and I almost forgot that my dr. told me I lost the ability to fight off bacterial and viral infections since I lost my saliva.

Thanks for letting me rant.

d for disgusted

 

Post Edited (d for disgusted) : 12/2/2013 10:43:04 PM (GMT-7)

Posted Today 5:33 AM (GMT 0)
Sicca Syndrome is also called Sjogren's Syndrome and we have a separate forum for that... folks there seem to know a lot!
Posted Today 5:59 AM (GMT 0)
Lynnwood,

I was told they were almost the same but, yet different.
Sjogren's effects your organs and second sicca doesn't.
Do you know if that is true?

d for disgusted
Posted Today 3:49 PM (GMT 0)
When I was diagnosed my rheumy said -- you have Sicca, or Sjogrens' syndrome - it goes by both names but most used these days is Sjogrens. That was several years ago and since then every time I'v read anything that mentions Sicca its says "also known as Sjogrens".

So I don't know of any differences between them. Would like to see anything you find that says they are different!

thanks
Posted 12/5/2013 4:26 AM (GMT 0)
I was told by my dentist that w/o saliva in our mouths we are more open to infections in our mouths. Especially, if you cut your gum or the roof of your mouth.

The saliva helps wash away the germs in our mouths. It also causes us to acquire more cavities in our teeth, most of them being down near the gum line.

I've not been DX'd with Sjogrens, but I'm on oxygen 24/7 and that will dry out a persons mouth. Plus I take 21 different oral medications which about 3/4 cause dry mouth. I also have two shots that I take that causes it too. I'm always very dry on my lips and tongue. I suck on sugar free candy or gum. I make sure I use an electric toothbrush and a waterpik flosser to make sure I keep cavities at bay. In 2012 I had 9 fillings that had to be done.

My teeth are also breaking and so far in 2013 I've needed 4 crowns. I will need 2 more in January. I'm brushing and flossing 3 times daily, but per my dentist other than tht there isn't much I can do.

I'd recommend that you talk with your dentist and try to follow their recommendations on how best to avoid infections and cavities. Good luck and I hope you find something that works well for you.

Hugs,
Barbara
Posted 12/6/2013 4:34 AM (GMT 0)
Sicca is a type of sjogrens that only involves the eyes. I am sure that like most autoimmune disorders it can be part of an overlapping syndrome as well. These syndromes are often defined narrowly but as time goes on more overlapping diseases are put into the syndrome. Mixed Connective tissue disease is a good example that has expanded from including just SLE lupus, scleroderma and polymyositis to include other AI diseases.

http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/Sicca

Bill
Posted 12/7/2013 3:52 AM (GMT 0)
bsime


Sicca syndrome, affects both the eyes with dry eyes and the mouth with dry mouth. it takes away your tears and your saliva. I have seen different specialists and everyone said sicca affects both the mouth and eyes.

d for disgusted
Posted 12/7/2013 3:42 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome to our forum d! I have Lupus with secondary Sjogren's and I'm certain the two occasionally overlap. I think the important thing here is to relieve your symptoms. For dry mouth try the following:
1) Biotene toothpaste
2) ACT mouthwash- it doesn't have alcohol and rebuilds enamel
3) Biotene Oral Balance gel, especially before bed
4) Gum or candy with xylitol- it stimulates saliva production- Trident gum has it
5) Most important: sip on water all day

I always keep Trident with me and I find ACT to be a great help. I moderate the Sjogren's forum and you are welcome to stop by any time. Love, Butterflake
Posted 12/9/2013 11:30 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Butterflake,

Thanks for the helpful hints. I drink water all day and night.
and I use ACT because Biotene products are too expensive and I
wasn't sure if I needed to go for the extra bucks. Thanks, you answered my question.

I was diagnosed last week with a yeast infection and fungus in my mouth due to sicca and I just got diagnosed with dry eyes. Can you answer a question for me? I was told by 4 different drs.
since I lost my saliva I lost the ability to fight off bacterial and viral infections. Today I was told that losing your saliva doesn't take away the ability to fight off infections due to sicca. Can you help me with this Please. This dr. is saying the only thing this will affect is my teeth.
Today I went to see a dr. in NY She has contradicted everything
my drs. have told me. and I am terribly confused.

My drs. office was suppose to fax all my reports but, when I got to the drs. office she didn't receive anything she didn't have any information to go by.

diagnosed: sle, ra, sicca, thrush, candida, hiatal hernia, colitis, irritable bowel, diverticulitis, osteoporosis chronic bronchitis, chronic cough.


Thank you,
d for disgusted

Post Edited (d for disgusted) : 12/9/2013 4:41:00 PM (GMT-7)

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