Michelle 30 (Diagnosed at 18)
Please finish the following sentence: "Sjögren's has taught me...":
How resilient I truly am.
What are your most difficult symptoms?:
Dry gritty burning eyes, dry mouth, joint pain in my hands, fatigue
How has Sjögren's impacted your life (either physically, emotionally, financially)?:
It’s changed my world. I recently had months long flare up that has made me not be able to wear contact lenses, I had to leave my serving job and went through my life savings just to pay my bills living alone. I had to learn to love who I see in the mirror again and to save accordingly. I have my own swimwear business I taught myself to sew and some days my hands are in so much pain and I’m exhausted. But I make my own hours and I set myself up for success so I can still thrive!
How do you effectively cope with the complexity of symptoms?:
I eat an alkaline based diet to lower my inflammation, I don’t drink alcohol and I stay active.
What do you wish people knew about your Sjögren’s?:
That it’s not a the end of a good fulfilling life. You can manage your symptoms once you’re aware of them (after diagnosis) and thrive! In my 20’s I didn’t fully give 100 percent and It caught up with me.
How do you incorporate self-care with managing Sjögren's?:
I do daily affirmations to feel good about myself, I do a nightly gratitude journal to remind myself how lucky I am to live the life I do, I do yoga, walks and work out. I take the supplements I need such as omega-3 eye.
What is your go-to Sjögren's product?:
Systane gel ointment at night time and biotene mouth rinse.
What’s your best Sjögren’s tip?:
Drink even more water than you think, listen to your body when you’re run down or fighting something off. Hydrate your skin from the outside with moisturizers, essential oils rubbed on your hands can calm inflammation.
Michelle 30 (Diagnosed at 18)
Please finish the following sentence: "Sjögren's has taught me...":
How resilient I truly am.
What are your most difficult symptoms?:
Dry gritty burning eyes, dry mouth, joint pain in my hands, fatigue
How has Sjögren's impacted your life (either physically, emotionally, financially)?:
It’s changed my world. I recently had months long flare up that has made me not be able to wear contact lenses, I had to leave my serving job and went through my life savings just to pay my bills living alone. I had to learn to love who I see in the mirror again and to save accordingly. I have my own swimwear business I taught myself to sew and some days my hands are in so much pain and I’m exhausted. But I make my own hours and I set myself up for success so I can still thrive!
How do you effectively cope with the complexity of symptoms?:
I eat an alkaline based diet to lower my inflammation, I don’t drink alcohol and I stay active.
What do you wish people knew about your Sjögren’s?:
That it’s not a the end of a good fulfilling life. You can manage your symptoms once you’re aware of them (after diagnosis) and thrive! In my 20’s I didn’t fully give 100 percent and It caught up with me.
How do you incorporate self-care with managing Sjögren's?:
I do daily affirmations to feel good about myself, I do a nightly gratitude journal to remind myself how lucky I am to live the life I do, I do yoga, walks and work out. I take the supplements I need such as omega-3 eye.
What is your go-to Sjögren's product?:
Systane gel ointment at night time and biotene mouth rinse.
What’s your best Sjögren’s tip?:
Drink even more water than you think, listen to your body when you’re run down or fighting something off. Hydrate your skin from the outside with moisturizers, essential oils rubbed on your hands can calm inflammation.