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Dominique's Story

   In 1987 I was in an auto accident and was only moderately injured -- whip lash. Well this led to a TMJ problem and continuing problems with aching joints, fatigue and various other dilemmas.  I was kindly informed that I had "chronic fatigue syndrome" and would just have to learn to live with it.  I was 21 at the time and didn't really think too much about it.

     I did live with it -- for years, in fact.  I had surgery on my TMJ, which resolved a lot of the jaw pain, but I still suffered from achy joints and stiff limbs on a continual basis.  I also was very tired much of the time.  My husband (who was then my boyfriend) had a hard time with me falling asleep at the drop of a hat.  I would sit down after a day at work and off to sleep I would go.  He said it was because I didn't exercise enough, didn't eat right, and other little things.

     I also suffered from severe endometriosis -- which although not life threatening, made a sex life painful and I was told that having children was out of the question -- I wouldn't be able to get pregnant and then in the 1/1million chance that I did, because of severe scarring on my uterus and ovaries, I would likely suffer severe hemorrhaging as my uterus grew to accommodate the child.

     Well, in 1993 I received the happy news that I was pregnant.  My husband and I were overjoyed.  This was something we always wanted.  In July, after a successful uncomplicated full term of pregnancy, I gave birth to my pride and joy -- a son.

     Soon after, my problems with fatigue grew by leaps and bounds.  I would sleep 8 hours a night and wake up exhausted!!  The 20 minute drive to work was torture -- I was literally falling asleep on the way to work.

     I chocked it all up to being a new mother -- all those new duties, nightly feedings, diapers, bottles, laundry, diapers, bottles -- the uncomplicated, yet repetitive things that come with a new born.

     Then at work my short term memory was non-existant.  This was completely unacceptable.

     Finally, after my husband noted my distress and with his urging, I went to the physician.  I expected to hear "chronic fatigue syndrome" again.  Well, she took blood tests and a week later, still exhausted I went back in.  She sat me down and tried in a gentle way to tell me that I had Lupus.  Now, I had just seen an Oprah show about Lupus and quite frankly this terrified me.  She made an appointment for me to see a rheumatologist.

     It was a long two week wait.  I was terrified that I was going to just die on the spot.

     Finally, I saw the physician, who ordered more tests and was able to rediagnose the problem as Sjogren's Syndrome.  He briefly explained it to me and put me on anti-maleria drugs (plaquenil).  I took the medication and really didn't seem to see any effects.  After about six months of this, I came down with the flu and since I was taking other medications for infections and what not -- my doctor said to go ahead and stop taking the plaquenil and to call him should my Sjogren's come back to play. He said it had gone into remission....

     Well, here it is, some 3 years since I saw the rheumatologist and you know something -- I just got through spending 3 days in the hospital receiving intravenous antibiotics.  I went into the ER because for the past 6-8 weeks I have been battling severe bronchial problems (thought it was pneumonia), sinus infections, ear infections, and throat infections.  Then early Saturday I woke up with a jaw so swollen and hard and painful that I went immediately to the ER.  I told the physician I had Sjogren's, he took one look at my parotid gland and immediately admitted me and started the antibiotics.  I don't know how to say how scared I was.  This was really the first evidence that I was diagnosed correctly.  So, here I sit today, taking oral antibiotics and feeling like I have a golf ball in my ear.  It is not as painful as it was days ago, but the feeling of fear is still there.

     If this could send me to the hospital for three days, what could be worse? Needless to say, I will be contacting a rheumatologist immediately.  I switched to a new medical group some time ago and didn't see the need before.  I guess I know better now!!

     And all of this is on top of the dental problems I have -- I have had 10 root canals due to this problem.  My teeth literally break apart and fall out of my mouth.  I have threatened my dentist that I am just going to have all my teeth pulled and wear dentures.  It couldn't be any worse than root canals when novocaine doesn't work as well (again, a problem related to the Sjogren's).

     What's a girl to do?  Live another day.  I give thanks for the son I was able to have and my husband, who is now understanding what I have been going through and is doing what he can to learn more too.

Story Copyright © 1998-2007 Dominique

Page Design Copyright © 1998-2007 Lynne Messina