Sjogrens and Sinus Problems

KathyW1958 · Fierce Wolf Joined: 12 Jun 2008 Posts: 594

I am wondering if there is a relationship between Sjogrens serious sinus problems? I am wondering, because I constantly have a stuffy nose and am wondering about this. I keep forgettting to ask the doctor about this problem. Could anyone give me an answer about this.

Thanks,
Kathy
_________________
Lupus for many years. Like most of my life. Sjogrens that started at 35 and Spinal Stenosis, Degenerative Disc Disease, Osteo-Arthritis of the spine, Ankylosing Spondilitis, Periferal Neuropathy, mild CP and now just recently diagnosed with PA. I had a disc replaced in December of 2007.

Medications:
Plaquenil, Sulindac, Imuran, Celiac diet, Tramadol and B12 shot once a month.

ColleenT · Growing Guppy Joined: 27 Mar 2008 Posts: 40

Hi Kathy,

I have SS and i had a sinus op last year (before my SS diagnosis). I don't know if it is merely a coincidence that I have both or whether it is a scientific fact! My sinus problems are much better after the op though!

Sorry to be graphic but i use a saline solution to rinse my sinuses and it really does keep huge hassles at bay.

All the best
ColleenT

mnjodette · Posted: Sat Jun 28, 2008 3:43 am Post subject:

You know, that's a very good question! I've had a lot of sinus trouble lately, and I wonder if it isn't related to Sjogren's. (I have that as well.) Some mornings (or even during the day) I feel so dried out and yet so plugged up, the pressure can be pretty bad. Really gives me a headache. I'm going to do a little research. There's a specialist in Sjogren's at the Univ. of MN Rheumatology department. She was a wealth of information, but had the bedside manner of a drill sargeant Mad

- really hard to take. Saw her twice and then I just couldn't do it again....
(I'm a wimp.....can't do the crabby doctor thing...I want someone to talk nice to me. Rolling Eyes

)

Jody
_________________
"Always laugh when you can. It is cheap medicine." Lord Byron

KathyW1958 · Fierce Wolf Joined: 12 Jun 2008 Posts: 594

Hi Jodi,
I can understand why you don't want to talk to a crabby doctor. I don't do well with them either. I believe that I did mention this to my Rheumatologist and he put me on Anti-biotics and Prednisone for a week. I think the Prednisone worked, but I am not sure, because I was on an antibiotic too. When I went off of both of them the symptoms were back worse then ever. I am going to look some more on the net too and see if I can find some more about this. Thanks for your advice Jodi. If I can find out some more I will post it.

Thanks
Kathy
_________________
Lupus for many years. Like most of my life. Sjogrens that started at 35 and Spinal Stenosis, Degenerative Disc Disease, Osteo-Arthritis of the spine, Ankylosing Spondilitis, Periferal Neuropathy, mild CP and now just recently diagnosed with PA. I had a disc replaced in December of 2007.

Medications:
Plaquenil, Sulindac, Imuran, Celiac diet, Tramadol and B12 shot once a month.

hatlady · Posted: Sat Jun 28, 2008 8:36 am Post subject:

Hmm...it wouldn't surprise me if there were a relationship between them - after all, you "dry out" with Sjogrens. And the sinuses like moisture.

I've found that if I use a neti pot with a saline solution (about 1/2 to 3/4 tsp of kosher salt per "pot") at least once a week in the summer (it is HUMID here) and daily - sometimes twice a day in the dry winter months, it makes a huge difference in stuffiness, nosebleeds, and even reduces the sinus headaches.
_________________
~"I find hope in the darkest of days, and focus in the brightest. I do not judge the universe." (Dalai Lama)

KathyW1958 · Fierce Wolf Joined: 12 Jun 2008 Posts: 594

I think that these suggestions are great and I am going to try some of them out. I don't like getting nose bleeds and that has been happening a lot with me lately when I have to blow my nose. I bought some ocean spray saline mist and am going to try that too. It is weird, but the Sjogrens did not show itself until after I got the Chickenpox. The Lupus symptoms got at 100 times worse as well right after I got over with the Chickenpox. It is strange how a virus can create so many problems for people with Lupus. Well I am going to use the saline nose spray and see how that works for me.

Thanks,
Kathy
_________________
Lupus for many years. Like most of my life. Sjogrens that started at 35 and Spinal Stenosis, Degenerative Disc Disease, Osteo-Arthritis of the spine, Ankylosing Spondilitis, Periferal Neuropathy, mild CP and now just recently diagnosed with PA. I had a disc replaced in December of 2007.

Medications:
Plaquenil, Sulindac, Imuran, Celiac diet, Tramadol and B12 shot once a month.

laurid8967 · Posted: Sat Jun 28, 2008 2:20 pm Post subject:

Of course....count me in.. Wink

.I have had chronic sinusitis for years, under the care of a doctor at Mass Eye and Ear/ENT specialist. Mine even show up on my brain MRIs. This was long before I ever knew about my having Sjorgrens. A dentist professor at Tufts Univ Med. found my Sjorgrens when he looked in my mouth. I knew my eyes were dry alot and tears are really hard to come by (I can be bawling my eyes out and have almost NO tears come out), but I wasnt aware of my mouth being affected. Since then, my front tooth cracked/broke off at the bottom Shocked

and I have damage to the teeth in the back. This BUMS ME OUT BIGTIME - as I (not to sound conceited) have always had REALLY nice teeth. Very Happy

Like, I would get compliments on a regular basis about my teeth. They just look different now - boo!! Crying or Very sad

But, anyway, I almost ALWAYS have sinus pressure and the only thing that helps is psuedoephedrine, which you know have to sign your life over to get because they use that to make methamphetamine. #Mad

Its worth it though, but I try to use it sparingly as it decreases effectiveness with too much use. In the good 'ol days I could go through a box of 48 in less than a week - easy. Im alot more careful about what I put into my body today - Thank God. In thinking about it now though, the psuedoephedrine does DRY up your sinuses - but it releives the pressure, too, and really helps with those types of headaches.
Love Lauri
_________________
God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
The courage to change the things I can,
And the wisdom to know the difference...

KathyW1958 · Fierce Wolf Joined: 12 Jun 2008 Posts: 594

Hi Lauri,
I too use to use Pseudoephedrine until they disallowed anyone to buy it over the counter thanks to the Meth addicts. It makes me angry that a certain sector is allowed to cause this to happen. I sometimes get it for a perscription, but my doctor is funny about ordering perscriptions. He tells me to use over the counter decongestants. Oh well.

Kathy
_________________
Lupus for many years. Like most of my life. Sjogrens that started at 35 and Spinal Stenosis, Degenerative Disc Disease, Osteo-Arthritis of the spine, Ankylosing Spondilitis, Periferal Neuropathy, mild CP and now just recently diagnosed with PA. I had a disc replaced in December of 2007.

Medications:
Plaquenil, Sulindac, Imuran, Celiac diet, Tramadol and B12 shot once a month.

laurid8967 · Posted: Sat Jun 28, 2008 4:08 pm Post subject:

Kathy,
Here in Massachussetts, you can still buy it, but you have to ask for it (they keep it behind the counter now) from a clerk. Then they run your liscense through a machine to make sure you havent bought alot recently. You are allowed so many a month.
So, we can buy it, its just monitored by the state. A pain in the neck for sure, but at least its still available. Can you not get it at all where you are?
Lauri
_________________
God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
The courage to change the things I can,
And the wisdom to know the difference...

KathyW1958 · Fierce Wolf Joined: 12 Jun 2008 Posts: 594

Hi Lauri,
They use to sell it from behind the counter here too, but the stores here in town considered it to be to much of a hassle and opted not to sell it at all. Doesn't that just suck big time. Go figure though. I think meth addicts should be taken out and shot, but that is just my opinion. I use to tell my kids that if you have to do drugs then you might as well be dead, because that is not living. I guess they listened to me. They do not mess with drugs of any type.

Kathy
_________________
Lupus for many years. Like most of my life. Sjogrens that started at 35 and Spinal Stenosis, Degenerative Disc Disease, Osteo-Arthritis of the spine, Ankylosing Spondilitis, Periferal Neuropathy, mild CP and now just recently diagnosed with PA. I had a disc replaced in December of 2007.

Medications:
Plaquenil, Sulindac, Imuran, Celiac diet, Tramadol and B12 shot once a month.

laurid8967 · Posted: Sun Jun 29, 2008 8:52 am Post subject:

As a woman in recovery, I actually feel somewhat badly for anyone addicted to meth - it is almost impossible to get off of. Dont get me wrong: When I see mothers with a boatload of babies hooked and neglecting their children, my anger rises as well. But I try to remember that methamphetamine is an incredibly powerful drug - FULL of poisons: Draino, psuedoephedrine, rat poison, etc. The brain is immediately addicted and currently there are no good detox methods for this drug. Surprisingly, meth is not big around here (Boston), but I know there are entire communities in the Midwest/South that are addicted. Its horrible.
As far as the psuedoephedrine goes, can you get in online? I have never ordered any meds over the Internet, but I think some sites are OK? You shouldnt have to suffer because a small percentage of the country abuses this helpful medication, you know?
I am fortunate too, my daughter is petrified of drugs...Thankyou God..We currently have a small epidemic here with Oxycontin and young people. There are tons that are hooked, cant afford the Oxy's after they are hooked and then turn to the cheaper - heroin. It is sooo sad...Two boys (20 years old now) who come from really nice families have succumbed to this addicition. One is currently sober and in treatment (Thank God) and the other appears to still be active....
You are blessed that your kids are safe from that - they have a good Mom!
Love Lauri
_________________
God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
The courage to change the things I can,
And the wisdom to know the difference...

KathyW1958 · Fierce Wolf Joined: 12 Jun 2008 Posts: 594

Hi Lauri,
I am sorry that I said that they should all be shot. I guess I was just frustrated about the Ephedrine and Meth connection. I realize that nobody intends to get hooked on any drug. I know I sure never intended too, but then again I did on perscription meds. I jsut feel that it is so sad that they could use a part of a medication that has so many medicinal qualities to create poison. It is really sad, big time.

Kathy
_________________
Lupus for many years. Like most of my life. Sjogrens that started at 35 and Spinal Stenosis, Degenerative Disc Disease, Osteo-Arthritis of the spine, Ankylosing Spondilitis, Periferal Neuropathy, mild CP and now just recently diagnosed with PA. I had a disc replaced in December of 2007.

Medications:
Plaquenil, Sulindac, Imuran, Celiac diet, Tramadol and B12 shot once a month.

laurid8967 · Posted: Sun Jun 29, 2008 9:27 am Post subject:

No,no...dont apologize..I get REALLY frustrated too....Its the "ephedrine" which a synthetic form of speed, that helps keep them up for days...Unlike other drugs, though, the damage to the brain is almost immediate due to all those poisons. Who the heck thought of putting all those household chemicals into a "buzz"? Creepy...
Anyway, I know you have a history with prescription drugs - that was my downfall too...SOOOO dangerous!! Not if taken as prescribed, but, I found it impossible to do that, unfortunately.
No worries, though, on the other post...it IS frustrating that we cant get the medical help WE need due to others. Maybe your doc can prescribe??
Lauri
_________________
God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
The courage to change the things I can,
And the wisdom to know the difference...

KathyW1958 · Fierce Wolf Joined: 12 Jun 2008 Posts: 594

Hi Lauri,
I don't complain to much to my doctor about the sinus problems, because then he puts me right back on Prednisone and an antibiotic. I just try different over the counter decongestants and they work somewhat. I can not immagine how anyone can even think of putting household cleaners and poisons into their system, but they do it to get high and it is a shame. What is really bad is when you see a person with the pick pocks on their face and body from the Meth. That is really sad indeed.

Kathy
_________________
Lupus for many years. Like most of my life. Sjogrens that started at 35 and Spinal Stenosis, Degenerative Disc Disease, Osteo-Arthritis of the spine, Ankylosing Spondilitis, Periferal Neuropathy, mild CP and now just recently diagnosed with PA. I had a disc replaced in December of 2007.

Medications:
Plaquenil, Sulindac, Imuran, Celiac diet, Tramadol and B12 shot once a month.

Jennyfoo · Posted: Sun Jun 29, 2008 10:32 am Post subject:

I too get frustrated with the Sudafed regulations. It too have chronic sinus problems and post-nasal drip. It's not uncommon for me to woken up from a deep sleep because my throat is so irritated from post-nasal drip and I have to stay up long enough to suck 1/2 a Sucrets lozenge. Ick. I was on allergy meds and they didn't help one bit-Singulair. Nothing really seems to help except Sudafed and that only helps for a few days.

I have adopted 2 meth babies and am in the process of adopting a third. I am very sympathetic to the hardships that their birth-mothers have gone through and hope the best for them, but they have all had 4 children(3 different mothers) that have been removed by CPS. At some point these women should at least be sterilized so their addiction does not cause problems for their children. My 5 y/o is mildly retarded and both he and my 4 y/o have a lot of sensory integration problems. My 4 y/o has ADD and severe impulse-control problems when it comes to sensory seeking behaviors. The baby is doing very well at 8 months, but he had a rough start. It was his ultra neediness after his schedule and routine and environment were messed with that most likely caused me to go into a flare. That plus the emotional stress we faced when his b-mom came forward with b-dad's name and he was Native american(Indian Child Welfare Act meant we ran a serious risk of losing Jordan). Thankfully everything is good now and we'll be able to petition for adoption next month and finalize a month or so later.