I was diagnosed with Sjogren's about seven years ago. I know that this sounds kind of weird, but after about 30 minutes inside a store, I turn bright red on my face and arms, and I become very hot. Eventually, I have to leave.

I have had sjogren's syndrome for the past 20 years and have all the "things" that go along with the disease. My teeth are very bad and this is after 17 root canals and porcelain replacements. Now I am told that I need to have implants at an unbelievable cost or have the teeth pulled. I saw a dentist yesterday who says that all the teeth should be pulled because the amount of metal in my mouth is the cause of some of the problems, such as mercury.

I'm a few days shy of a year with this diagnosis. It's hard to believe. I started out with the severe dry eyes. I was seeing an eye doctor for seven to eight months. I finally went to my primary doctor and asked if I was "depressed" because I was so run down all the time. I had a 1-year-old and 4-year-old. Who wouldn't be run down?! It wasn't until I mentioned my ongoing eye problem that my doctor mentioned Sjogren's syndrome to me and sent me for lab work. It was confirmed the following day. I look back over the past eight or so years and there were things that all come together now. Dry lips to the point that I could no longer wear lipstick, etc. I feel on most days that I am a 33-year-old female trapped inside an elderly body! Less stress works best for me. I gave up a very stressful ICU nurse position for a school nurse job. Plaquenil has been a life saver. I feel 10 times better this July compared to last year.

My little sister (25) was diagnosed about 3 years ago with some auto immune disease but they can't say it is Sjögren' s because she doesn't have the positive test for Lupus. I have had dry eyes since 2003 when I had an ocular ulcer, but it didn't get severe till this year. When I went for my annual eye exam I complained about it and he said that my eyes were severely dry and because my sister had it that I should get tested also. I was diagnosed July 11th with Sjögren's, they had no problem confirming it. I wake up most mornings like I spent the night before screaming or I feel like I have strep. I didn't want to be positive. Reading others comments actually scares me. I have started getting dull headaches in the last week or two and nothing seems to make them better. It worries me that it has gotten worse so quickly. I have also noticed the fatigue, sometimes it just seems like I can't deal with things and I have to rest right away. But at least it might help my sister get her answers. I am only 28 and I don't want to be "elderly" before my 40th birthday. It is funny that something that seems so minor: dry eyes, dry mouth can make the quality of life so difficult.

I just recently discovered I have Sjogren's syndrome. Three years ago, I lost my smell for no apparent reason. I went to several specialists and could not get an answer. Two years ago, I developed a high fever and was in the hospital for more than 30 days. The doctors did not know why I had this fever. Just as mysteriously as the fever came, it disappeared. I had one doctor who was seeing me because my doctor was not on call and he ran a series of tests and concluded that I had some form of an autoimmune disease. I did not pursue the matter anymore because I had accumulated a number of medical bills. However, in the last three months, I have been extremely tired. I have a new doctor who referred me to a rheumatologist, and he took a series of tests, one of which came back positive for Sjogren's syndrome.

I was diagnosed with Sjogren's syndrome about two, almost three years ago, and I just recently have started having a lot of problems with my symptoms. I am extremely fatigued and weak. My eyes always look like I've been crying because they get so red and dry. I try to exercise and stay active, to help with the arthritis pain, but I am just 36 years old, and it's hard not to get down because I used to be so active and athletic. I have a family history of autoimmune problems working against me too.

My mom has Sjögren's Syndrome (I believe it is secondary since she also has RA). She suffers unbelievably from dry eyes, pain, dry eyes, and sensitivity to light. She is 77 years old. Restasis is one medication she recently began taking but it doesn't seem to be helping. Fresno, California