Can someone kindly explain what a rheumatologist will do with treatment regarding SS / Fibro
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Hi all.
Wonder if someone could clarify for me what a rheumatologist actually does. So what tests are done etc.
I just very recently saw an ENT who tested me for SS. The results came out negative. I have been diagnosed with fibro some 20 years ago. Now my issue has been dryness of the mouth. So basically the ENT sort of said that with the negative results he would suggest i would see a rheumatologist. Im curious as to what a rheumatologist actually then does? They already took quite a few blood tests in the process here so im just wondering what it is that can follow next? What kinds of treatments / tests / processes have some of you had to go through here? Many thanks!
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margaret22116 chris39732
Posted
hi there are various tests they can do for example to assess how dry your eyes or mouthare. The can do a saliva test. The can do more sophisticated blood tests and also I believe do specific gene tests, they can do a lip biopsy. They can also follow and map disease/symptom history. Blood markers can change and shift over tine with auto immune disorders. Having a specialist do testing over a period of time and looking at those results is very different from having a gp do simple blood tests.
There are so many treatments available now. I have Behcet's rather than SS but they are similar and both auto immune disorders. So I am not so up on treatments for SS. But there is overlap in treatments. I currently use hydroxychloroquine which is often used for SS. I believe that both disorders respond to steroid treatment though zi don't personally take them. But there are also a whole range of biological meds which can help. They can also make useful referrals for ecample to pain clinics.
There is good reason to visit a rheumatologist or immunologist. I hope you can get in touch with someone good who understands the disorder well and you find some helpful treatment.
chris39732 margaret22116
Posted
Thank you kindly for your reply Margaret. Lucky for me i have no serious pain. Up until July i have been doing crossfit 4 days a week. So i have had my fibro under control for some time. May have a flare here and there but...However in July my tongue started to dry up. Now i have a very salty taste in my mouth very very often as well as dryness. Seems like on many a day i could just drink and drink and drink. Doesnt seem to help. I just had a lip biopsy done as well as the Sjögrens A B tests and both came back negative. But yes i guess SS and fibro do have some overlap.
But thanks so much for helping to answer some of my questions. Been quite confused as of late. I guess my ENT did all he could. And had then suggested rheumatologist as next steps. Thanks again! =)