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Allergy Congestion or Sjogrens dryness?

Posted , 6 users are following.

Nu2this
Nu2this

Hi All,

I have a very dry nose with congestion but my throat is fine thank goodness. My dry throat has been controlled with Ranitidine but my nose has let up abit but not completely. I use saline and saliva pills to keep my nasal passages moist but it only lasts a few minutes. I find that certain times of the day, the nasal passages dry up more than others. Tested negative for SS but I know not all these tests are reliable. Can this be SS or allergies? Does anyone else experience similar symptoms in the nose only? Is Hydroxychloroquine meds to help with SS dryness? I was given them at one point but was put on methotrexate for RA instead. Does anyone take both?

Thanks

0 likes, 8 replies

8 Replies

  • lily65668
    lily65668 Nu2this

    Posted

    Nu2this, I can't answer all your questions. I can only say that for most of us allergies are closely tied in with SS, as both are autoimmune conditions.

    One of the problems I have is that when I get allergic rhinitis (violent sneezing, runny nose) plus itchy eyes during the tree pollen season in spring I can't treat these symptoms with antihistamines. These medications all have drying effects, which is great for the runny nose, but then you have to cope with the dry nose and throat, even itchier eyes, and so on and so forth. Sometimes there's no winning with AI conditions.rolleyes

  • Megheart
    Megheart Nu2this

    Posted

    I just wanted to say something when you said "but I know not all these tests are reliable". It's not so much that they are unreliable but it is, 'us' (the patients) who may stay seronegative for many years, thus the tests do not show up as positive.

    It's very frustrating as the official EULAR/ACR guidelines state that to be declared positive for Sjögrens either the antibody tests need to be confirmatory (Anti-SSA/Ro-positive) OR a labial salivary gland test needs to have a focus score of =1 foci/4 mm2.

    So if both are negative then one cannot get the 4 points required for a firm diagnosis. then its a matter of waiting it out until something changes. All MOST doctors will do is treat the symptoms as they arise.

    • sirenetta
      sirenetta Megheart

      Posted

      Once you have a diagnosis, how does this change? Do they put you on some immunosuppressor? I have read that Sjogren's can damage internal organs. Can this happen even while you are seronegative?

       

    • lily65668
      lily65668 sirenetta

      Posted

      Sirenetta - if megheart doesn't mind me hijacking this question - I can't answer your questions precisely, I can only share my own experience. In my own case, the various inflammation markers in my blood, including anti-salivary gland antibodies, come and go. Paradoxically, they're often up when I'm in remission and down when I'm in flare-up, but that's SS for you. I've never had a lip biopsy, and have no plans to have one in the foreseeable future. I've never been on immunosuppressants or DMARDs either, but wouldn't rule these out if my symptoms became sufficiently disabling at some time in the future.

      I'm now approaching my 74th birthday, and so far there's been no real damage to my internal organs. My thyroid took a hit 10 years ago, but that's more or less par for the course in all AI conditions, and easily dealt with by popping a pill every morning for the rest of your life. The only other damage has been a degree of lung inflammation, which started about three years ago, and is now well controlled with a steroid inhaler.

      I suspect that whether or not we get organ damage is as much a matter of luck as anything else. And since SS is a slowly progressive disease, the later in life it appears, the less time available for serious damage to occur. There are no hard-and-fast rules with an unpredictable condition like SS but in general, the younger you are when you first start getting symptoms, the higher the statistical risk of getting organ damage.

      I think my relatively good health is partly down to luck, and also the fact that I only got my first symptoms 23 years ago, when I'd already turned 50. The outlook can be very different for people who get it in their twenties.

    • sirenetta
      sirenetta lily65668

      Posted

      Thank you for taking the time to reply to me. I am going through the trying to get a diagnosis phase and I have heard that the antibodies come and go yesterday from someone I know who has other issues but also AI.

      I think when you don't feel well you want answrs even if they do not make any difference to your condition. At the moment I am worried about the development of this illness. I am worried because I have those pin and needles that point to small fibre neuropathy, I am concerned about my cognitive abilities being impaired every time I feel tired with a low grade head ache. I am concerned about these because they are part of my symptoms and, while they started a year ago, they have become more frequent. 

      I appreciate all the information and your kindness.

  • margaret22116
    margaret22116 Nu2this

    Posted

    Hydroxychloroquine has helped my nasal/sinus issues. It works because it is an anti inflammatory and the root cause of my sinus issues is inflammation.
    • Nu2this
      Nu2this margaret22116

      Posted

      Thank you Margaret and everyone for your responses. I always felt my sinus issues were due mainly to inflammation as well. I am currently on Mtx but feel i need a stronger coarse of action. I had been on hydrochloroquine but not sure if I can take both. The sinus inflammation makes me tired as breathing through my nose can sometimes be challenging. The MTX has helped considerably but would like to discuss different meds with my Rheumotologist so that I can get back to work. I am optimistic that this will improve. Thanks for all your help. God bless everyone.

    • sirenetta
      sirenetta Nu2this

      Posted

      Google the Coimbra protocol, You do not need to stop your medications to give it a try, only later if it makes sense and you want to.
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