Sjogrens /Lupus ? I'm a male age 50

Not much of this chimes with my own experience of Sjogren's, except the dry mouth and occasional tingling feelings in extremities. Sjogren's - like all auto-immune conditions - is famous for flare-ups and remissions, but usually over a longer time-frame than your monthly episodes.

Depersonalisation and cold sweats definitely sounds like benzo withdrawal. You mention having been on other benzos before Prosom, and I'm wondering how long you were on them altogether. Benzo withdrawal is a terrible thing, and can go on for a very long time indeed, especially if you were on them for a long period.

Maybe others in this forum will have had identical symptoms to yours just from Sjogren's. It is, after all, a syndrome - i.e. a collection of signs and symptoms - and therefore varies greatly from person to person. However, I have to say my money's on a combination of Sjogren's and benzo withdrawal, in which case you might have to be patient for another year or so before seeing improvement.

Hiya  Roadcan, I was diagnosed with SS, 23 years ago now..and neither did I suffer from dry eyes or mouth then..but do now...I presented at my GPwith a very swollen misshaped red face like a bell pepper, I was already on cortisone for bad asthma at the time...the dr said he would prescribe that usually for the swelling etc...but seeing as I was already on it he gave me nothing- which was ok...it wasn't painful..just looked bad and I needed to know what it was..I was bewildered at first..then I started reseaching to find out just what it was. 2 years later I was diagnosed by a Rhumotologist as having Fiibromyalgia Syndrome  too..another autoimmune condition..I had most of the Symtoms of it for years earlier too as does most of us on the fibromyalgia blog...23 years on...I have dry eyes...easy remedied with drops and dry mouth remedied with artificial saliva-minty taste, so not bad...very dry skin on feet - podiatrist monthly...plus I put strong urea cream on..most of the fluid in my left ear crystallised and I have been dizzy/imbalanced now for 11 years....but you learn many ways to cope..a caring husband really hellos..as dies a walking stick and a walker-rollator when needed..Glad you have markers to let you know when it getting worse...at least you know what's coming and what it is.....hope you find lots of info on here...I do...it's most informative..the best info I got was, " I'm not alone" ..we have many different Symtoms but we all have Sjorens Syndrome. I always look at the half full glass too..it really helps me.....eg: .there's always someone worse off than me"......that's my motto...hope you find this blog really helpful too Roadcan...have a lovely day..be blessed..:-) xx Australia 

Ok so Sjogrens is not really relevant here.

Agree your heart seems OK.

Lupus is a strange condition that can affect any organ including the brain with potential mental issues but the diagnosis usually needs more features than you describe with fever joint pain and skin rashes that last longer than you describe.

So as an eye surgeon with a prevous history in general practice I would be looking to exclude other medical conditions.

e.g. insulinoma or carcinoid syndrome

Your episodes tend to occur around noon.  Would that be before lunch?  Perhaps you are going hypoglycaemic (low blood sugar).  Take 4 jelly babies when you get the symptoms.  If instantly cured then low glucose is confirmed.  Then you would need further invesigation to see if you have abnormal insulin levels.  Your GP /practice nurse should check glucose when you are actually have symptoms.

Another rare condition causing strange symptoms is carcinoid sysndrome.

When you are unwell look in the mirror are you pale or flushed? any problems of palpitations, asthma or diarrhoea?  The test for this is a 24-hour urine collection for the serotonin metabolite 5-HIAA (which your GP can organise).

Perhaps nothing will be detected and the conclusion will be lingering benzodiazepine withdrawal but the timing and frequency of repetition is odd and in my opinion justifies a few simple tests.

I think you miss my point. Blood glucose varies through the day. It must be tested when you are feeling weak and dizzy.  The fact your sugar is normal some of the time does not exclude episodes of hypoglycaemia. As you can't easily get a blood glucose at 11:57 or whatever time it is when symptomatic at least see if a little glucose by mouth miraculously makes you better. If this is positive then an official blood glucose test is mandatory when symptomatic. Insulin production should be automatically regulated by the body but is erratic with insulinoma.

The latter is a rare condition but the initial test is very simple.

If positive then plasma insulin can be measured but that is a complex test for the lab and only done by special arrangement.

Anyway good luck and hopefully your strange symptoms will go away in which case you can stop worrying

Hello Roadcan!

First let me say it sounds like many of your symptoms are from Sjogrens and the Neuropathy that accompanies it. The tingling the burning foot, if you look up Peripheral Neuropathy you might find an explanation of what you are experiencing that will answer some of your questions. Second you said you recently stopped taking a Benzoid. can I assume this was for anxiety? If so I wonder if some of your symptoms could be caused by not only withdraw but a panic episode. We become very hypervigilant of our body functioning as we move into an anxiety attack we can feel it coming on, it can cause the cold sweats and the feelings of depersonalization. Why did you stop taking the Benzoid if you don't mind me asking? I found reading up on GAD or General Anxiety Disorder was extremely helpful to me. As far as testing positive for SS and not being diagnosed and treated I would say it is time for a second opinion and you are not wrong to seek one. Dry eyes and mouth don't always present initially. The crippling fatigue and joint pain is what had me searching for answers in the beginning. Roadcan I want you to feel better keep searching I know you will find the answers.

Sally