Hi, I am 29 years old and at the start of this year my doctor said I have positive anti nuclear antibodies. What they did not do however is test me across the board for every single anti nuclear antibody and I don't know why.
They have checked me for anti-sm, anti-la, anti-dsdna, anti-parietal and anti-mitochondrial.
I have symptoms suggestive of Sjogren's such as a dry mouth, I have had two episodes of unprovoked bleeding from my mouth, dry nose (I am forever blowing bogeys out of my nose or picking them out, sorry if graphic) and my eyes get dry and irritated.
Would a good idea be to go back to my doctor and insist on more tests? Could this be caused by Hashimotos thyroiditis which is autoimmune and that I've now developed another autoimmune illness?
you don't know how amazed you've made me feel to hear your story of the problems you are having with your nose because you have just described exactly what is happening to me as well, I have been too much embarrassed to say that I have such a problem with my sinuses and it feels so uncomfortable to breath through my nose and so I end up going through to the bathroom to put my face under the hottest basin/ sink for about 30seconds or so then trying to blow it all out and if it doesn't put my face back into more hotter water it's just crazy. I hate doing this but I can't get any thing to help this. You really should go back to your GP to try and get some answers I have an appointment to get a full top to toe examination so I shall say my piece to whoeverI see at the surgery I hope you get the answers you are looking for. I also would like to ask? Do you you get headaches as because I feel there're isn't a day goes by that my head hurts like mad. It gets me down .
Hi cazeraz, thanks for reply. Yes, I get headaches too, mostly on one side. Sorry to hear about your problems. I'm away on holiday at the moment so can't really see a doctor who would do any investigatory work but as soon as I return home I'm going to book an appointment. The bleeding from my mouth is what bothers me the most as I am iron deficient and can't really afford to lose a lot of blood that way as it is very heavy. It's also upsetting and my boyfriend accuses me of overreacting. I already have one autoimmune illness, I don't want another!! Good luck with rising answers for yourself, I am so glad someone can relate to me.
I was diagnosed with sarcoidosis in 2005 and in 2013 was dx'd with sjogrens...both autoimmune. If your eyes are extremly dry, you might want to put an eye drop in that has a gel in it...it stays in the eyes longer. Also, at nightime, an ointment did good for me. These are suggestions my doctor made until I was set up with prose lenses. These lenses have changed my life! My eyes are lubricated all day and the benefit is I see 20/20 now!!! I don't know if your eye doctor has studied the "prose lens" but if he/she hasn't...ask if he/she could refer you to a doctor that has knowledge and training in these lenses. I feel your pain!
I don't like putting anything into my eyes but if a doctor does it for me that's fine. I don't see my doctor until next week as I'm away on holiday but as soon as I return I will be looking to get answers for my problems. Everything seems to be happening at once! First my thyroid, then my bladder issues and now this!
Can't help you with the antibody question but maybe with a solution to your dry nose. I have been having the same problem and ended up with a nasal infection that led to an ear infection and perforated eardrum. The ENT doc gave me this recipe to hydrate the nasal membranes and I have to say it's improved my symptoms enormously. It's called buffered hypertonic saline. It acts as a solvent and washes crusts and other debris from your nose. cleana 1 pint container and fill with plain bottled water (not tap water!). Add 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and 1/2 teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda. Stir until dissolved. Each day stir before using then pour a little into a small clean container and use a 20ml plastic syringe to suck this solution up and insert the nozzle into each nostril in turn and gently squeeze the liquid out aiming for the back of the head not the top! Bend over a sink while doing it so you don't swallow (it won't hurt you if you do though). the liquid should run out of your nostrils back into the sink and I also spit out any that has gone into my throat. clean your syringe thoroughly after use. You can keep the solution at room temperature for a week then replace.
I wish I'd discovered this a long time ago - it's made me feel so much better and taken the swelling out of my nose so I can breathe better. Good luck with you other issues.
Hi Christine, thanks for your suggestion. I might ask to be referred to an ENT if one gave you this recommendation. That on top of a urologist, an endocrinologist and a possible neurologist. LOL! I've got so much going on and before I know it I have something else.
Glad the saline worked for you, I might give it a go.
I read the text I sent you and felt a little embarrassed at saying how amazed I was at reading the problems you are having with your health I would like to calm it down and say I do have these similar issues.
Hi cazeraz, I am so glad that I am not the only one. I wish I knew what was happening, really. I don't have an appointment with my GP just yet as I only needed my medical certificate renewed but there is so much going on. I don't know whether I'm coming or going some days.
So sorry to hear that you're having similar problems too. Thanks for replying.
Jay, do you have access to a netipot? It looks like a small watering can...anyway, it also has the solution in packets to use daily and it's so helpful and not messy. You just have to pour it into one nostril and while pouring you lean your head to the opposite side you're pouring into....then switch sides and turn your head to the opposite side. This clears you out so fast and you can see the gunk coming out so you know it's working.
I've used a NetiPot for years and my husband and children use one as well....you don't share...each one gets their own.
Regarding the water, used distilled water...never use tap water because it can just add to your problems. Distilled is usually in a large jug like a gallon of distilled...it doesn't come in individual size.
Also, I was sick with a horrible cold and it went into my sinus'. I was at work and a little Chinese man came in for something and told me...use salt water...put salt on your palm and add a bit of distilled water and sniff that up one nostril and up the other nostril...you can blow stuff out after you've put in the solution...it does burn but it also works. As salt is a drying factor, that's what it does to your sinus...it clears it out and cuts down on inflammation then makes sure your sinus' shrink.
Both NetiPot and saltwater do about the same thing but the biggest key is using Distilled Water! Good luck,Jay!
Jay ~ You can order a NetiPot through Amazon. Please and I cannot expres enough do not use tap water!! Tap water is fully purified. Distilled is....even bottled water isn't fully purified. So, key to happy sinus' is Distilled and it will keep still! lol