Post 2 : )

Right now, the RA, Sjogren's, and Fibro are the worst. Most people are somewhat familiar with Fibromyalgia and Rheumatoid Arthritis, most are not with Sjogren's Syndrome (pronounced, SHOW GRENS). So for this post, I'll probably focus more on that.Sjogren's is an Autoimmune Disease that can come alone, or with others, such as RA. It's 2 main symptoms that characterize the disease are Dry eyes and Dry mouth. EXTREME DRYNESS, I could tell when it started and it wasn't from the meds anymore. I use a daytime eye drop and a nightime ointment, for comfort, and to do my part at saving my vision. I am on a prescription for the Dry Mouth, which is a hit and miss. Some days I have NO MOISTURE, and others, OCEAN ; ) LOL So far with the Sjogren's the only additional problems I have had are EXTREME dry/delicate skin, and my lungs are affected. It's been about 2 or so years now, and I pretty much always have a cough, sometimes it's irritating and others AWFUL! When the Cough gets bad, like now in the winter, It takes everything out of me, I sound like I have the worst case of Bronchitis ever, just another reason I get dirty looks, even though I am very careful with my non contagious cough, wish others would be with their CONTAGIOUS one ; )

I think I will leave for now ; ) My shoulders/elbows/hands aren't sure if they agree with me on how good idea a Blog was, LOL ; ) Hopefully more later today : )

As always, feel free to ask anything, and Gentle Hugs and Rest to ALL : )

A little, well probably, a lot about me ; )

My main purpose for this blog, at least in the beginning is for my journey with RA, it's my newest, and hardest : ( However, first, I want to start in "the beginning".

When I was 14 I had a HUGE cyst on my ovary, the size of a GRAPEFRUIT, while they were removing it, I was diagnosed with Endometriosis. It's a "girly" disease that is characterized by the lining of the uterus, instead of leaving the body every month, like normal, it decides to "hang" around and attach other places, most commonly the ovaries/uterus/pelvic wall, however in some rare cases, not mine, it can attach it self to organs such as the bladder, etc....It is a Chronic Pain condition with no known cure, except many women who are able to get pregnant, never have problems again, others the only relief is a hysterectomy. As of right now, I've done neither. And at 14, they DEFINITELY were not options. To treat the Endometriosis at 16 I was started taking Depo Lupron Injections (used in men with prostate cancer). This put my body into a medically induced Menopause. This was not fun, So for you older women, just be happy you only get it once ; ) LOL

At 18, the pelvic pain hadn't seen much relief and was getting worse. I was diagnosed with Interstitial Cystitis. This is a bladder disease/condition characterized by inflammation and ulcers in the bladder. It's not completely autoimmune, however, the bladder wall is basically attacking itself.

At 21 I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia.

and finally we are here at the old age of 25 and before that bday I added 2 AUTOIMMUNE DISEASES to my treasure chest. RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS AND SJOGREN'S SYNDROME.

Since, long times at the computer are hard, I'm going to say hello and goodbye ; ) Have a great week!