Yanira 45 (diagnosed at 45)
Patient-to-patient topic: Muscle & Joint Pain
I suffered for 15 years with worsening symptoms before I was diagnosed. I didn’t have the typical dryness that most patients present with. When doctors couldn’t figure it out, I began to doubt my mental sanity and started believing I was a hypochondriac. Getting an accurate diagnosis was not easy for me, but being able to give my disease a name has given me peace of mind. I don’t doubt my mental sanity anymore. Now, I’ve learned to live one day at a time and make the best out of the good days.
Most difficult symptoms: Neck pain, muscle & joint pain, brain-fog, insomnia and fatigue.
What I wish I knew when first dealing with these symptoms and Sjögren’s: I wish knew that getting a diagnosis can be difficult and you can’t always trust lab tests. Know that even if you test negative for Sjögren’s, you should keep testing because lab tests aren’t always reliable. You need to find a good rheumatologist and never stop searching for answers. My last doctor ran my labs through a different diagnostic company, and those results came back suggesting Sjögren’s.
Go-to products/tools: CDB Oil, Alive and Voltaren Topical Gel. Even when I have no energy, I try to do cardio or walking at least 3 times a week.
What’s your best Sjögren’s tip? Don’t let pain win. Don’t give up. Always keep moving.
Yanira 45 (diagnosed at 45)
Patient-to-patient topic: Muscle & Joint Pain
I suffered for 15 years with worsening symptoms before I was diagnosed. I didn’t have the typical dryness that most patients present with. When doctors couldn’t figure it out, I began to doubt my mental sanity and started believing I was a hypochondriac. Getting an accurate diagnosis was not easy for me, but being able to give my disease a name has given me peace of mind. I don’t doubt my mental sanity anymore. Now, I’ve learned to live one day at a time and make the best out of the good days.
Most difficult symptoms: Neck pain, muscle & joint pain, brain-fog, insomnia and fatigue.
What I wish I knew when first dealing with these symptoms and Sjögren’s: I wish knew that getting a diagnosis can be difficult and you can’t always trust lab tests. Know that even if you test negative for Sjögren’s, you should keep testing because lab tests aren’t always reliable. You need to find a good rheumatologist and never stop searching for answers. My last doctor ran my labs through a different diagnostic company, and those results came back suggesting Sjögren’s.
Go-to products/tools: CDB Oil, Alive and Voltaren Topical Gel. Even when I have no energy, I try to do cardio or walking at least 3 times a week.
What’s your best Sjögren’s tip? Don’t let pain win. Don’t give up. Always keep moving.