Sjogren's Syndrome:
The body's immune system attacks glands that secrete fluid, such as the tear and saliva glands. The effects of Sjögren's syndrome can be widespread. Certain glands become inflamed, which reduces the production of tears and saliva, causing the main symptoms of Sjögren's syndrome, which are dry eyes and dry mouth |
This is a strange one. The rheumatology consultant told me I had this before the symptoms actually appeared. He said because my blood count was something or other (can't remember the details) it indicated that my Crest Syndrome was over-lapped with Sjogren's Syndrome which causes dry eyes and dry mouth. Within a couple of weeks of him giving me the news, my eyes began to itch and I would wake in the night to peel the inside of my face off my teeth as they'd fused together and my tongue felt like it didn't belong to me. So now a bottle of water keeps me company at all times. I don't think my case is extreme - just uncomfortable now and then. When the Sjogren's is active I look as if I'm wearing grey/brown eyeshadow, sometimes it only affects one eye and on such occasions you may call me Patch!
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