Possible Sjogren's diagnosis

[Citygirl17]

My mother had Sjogren's, and my mouth seems to be extremely dry lately. I managed to get a rheumatologist appointment for Friday, but I'm wondering how any MNers with Sjogren's were diagnosed.

I'm OK with bloodwork and exams, but I'm reading about these salivary gland biopsies, and they sound awful.

TIA.

My dad has it with RA. He’s said the Sjorgrens isn’t too bad - his biggest issue is driving at night now, it’s just too much with dry eyes. I suppose it depends on how severe you get it

I have Sjögren’s (and lupus, and Addisons and all sorts of things). I’ve never had any lip biopsies. I was diagnosed via a process of elimination (I have lots of autoimmune issues) and I was having recurrent oral and vaginal thrush which they put down to dryness. I was referred to an oral specialist and they did some tongue biopsies (not lip) because I had white patches and these came back as inflammation and lichens planus. The thrush is the worst thing, it’s just constant, but not everyone with sjogrens seems to get it as badly as me. I’m on permanent Fluconazole.

Anyway; I’m always surprised by how many people in the Sjögren’s group seem to put themselves through lip biopsies. They aren’t necessarily essential for a diagnosis and being very honest even if you do get a diagnosis it doesn’t really make a lot of difference to the treatment which is based on symptoms anyway so mouth gels, etc all of which should be prescribed regardless if you need them.

There is a Sjogrens support group on Facebook which might be of use. Just search for Sjogrens support uk in the groups.