Re: ~SS

[Guest guest]

,

I'm glad you're finding the SS info helpful. I really like eMedicine

because the articles tend to be very concise and informative. They are

written as part of a program (CME?) where med students can get units

for reading and then taking tests.

The stringy eye film sounds very like SS. I haven't had this, but

others do mention it. You might consider a visit to an opthamologist

because they are part of the SS team. My eye doc said he could tell by

looking that my eyes were somewhat, but not terribly, dry. He pegged

it. Some people have the eye doc put a " punctal plug " in the tear

ducts that kind of dams up the tears to keep the eye moist. You can

suffer some pretty severe damage to the cornea if the eyes are so dry

that the tears no longer protect the tissues.

There was a lot of talk this fall about Refresh Endura eyedrops, a new

product that is supposed to last longer. They are expensive and some

folks find they burn. Others find them very effective. I could send

you some to try, if you want. The important thing with eyedrops is to

use preservative-free, because some people build up an allergy to the

preservatives when they use the drops frequently.

There's an eye ointment that helps at night, but it's a bit messy. And

for the first few minutes after you wake up your vision might be a bit

blurry (that's why you can't use it during the day.) I need to look up

the name. Didn't bring it with me.

At home I have a booklet from the SS Foundation with a list of

products that Sjogies have tried and recommend. Will be home early

this week.

Re: root cavities, has your dentist given you a flouride gel to put on

your teeth? Mine gave me something called Gel-Kam. It helps prevent

cavities, and is good for those gumline/exposed roots areas. Dentists

should be at least familiar with SS, though probably not in great

detail. Many Sjogies do have trouble with cavities because the

chemistry of your saliva can change and become less protective.

There was a study with some Sjogies that showed that Sonicare

toothbrushes stimulate the production of saliva. I imagine other

automatic toothbrushes would work, too.

My parotids aren't enlarged but I do sometimes feel pressure there.

The last time my doc said my eardrums were bulging!

Another thing to consider for the jaw discomfort is TMJ. I wore braces

for two years in my 30s to fix this one. I could hardly open my mouth

to bite an apple before the braces. It was amazing the difference it

made.

So, even if you don't have SS there are some things we can come up

with to help at least this part of the discomfort you are feeling.

So sorry to hear about your son's collision with the deer. I once hit

a big dog at night. Turned around and went back but it was gone. That

bummed me out for days, hoping it was okay but fearing it was very

hurt.

So hey, you might as well do something =you= really enjoy while DH is

out doing his thing. It's time for to have a whole lot of fun

after all your hard work!

Take good care.

Tenayahh

> Thank you SO much for the info! I hadn't yet gotten to that

particular

> eMedicine site.