To

Kelly's Story

      Hi, my name is Kelly and I am 36 years old.  I was diagnosed with Sjogren's Syndrome in 1996, four months after my second child was born.  I guess it started when I was about 33 or 34.  My sinuses were just really weird for about four months, I kept getting cavities, and my dentist couldn't figure out why.  He kept asking if I brushed and flossed enough, or if I ate a lot of lemons.  Then I went to a new dentist and he accused me of being a "chronic soda sipper"!!  (Jerk-he even wrote that in my dental records, and I never drink soda.)  So he referred me to an oral surgeon to see if they could figure out what was going on.  In the meantime I had to see my regular doctor for a referral, and she recommended a blood test just to double check on other things.  And, wha-la, Sjogren's Syndrome.  I had never heard of it.  Then I realized, yeah, everytime I was at a party talking or eating chips or crackers, my mouth became so dry!

 
    Well, every tooth has just about been filled at least twice.  I live at the dentist!  I probably spend $300+ per year out of pocket for fillings and cleanings.  Then there's the dry eyes.  That just started about a year and a half ago.  I even got my lower tear ducts permanently sealed.  It helped a little at first, but lately, my eyes have really bothered me.  The only eye drops that really work for me are BION Tears ($14 a pack!, sometimes $10 at Target).  The dry mouth has been getting worse too.  I just have to live without crackers or bread, and everything has to have a sauce!  I pretty much live on cold cereal.  I use the Biotene toothpaste (yuck) which I guess helps.  My days of spicy green curry chicken are over!

     Nice to share my story with you all.  Take care!!

Kelly

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