MS and/or Sjogren's

ATPisit · Post by **ATPisit** » Mon Jan 26, 2009 7:11 am

Hi,

I'm new to TIMS, but not to MS or other boards. I was dx'd 9 yrs ago with MS. Have tried ABCR and Novantrone, the latter being the only effective in slowing progression. Still, I had lots of other symptoms that couldn't be explained away by MS. My GP is both MD and naturopath with the added virtues of dilligence, ears for listening, and a great big heart. After 7 yrs and about a zillion tubes of blood, he discovered that I also have Sjogren's Syndrome (a connective tissue autoimmune disease). Since Sjogren's and MS brain lesions can be very similar, the ongoing dispute is whether I have both or just primary Sjogren's. For now my neuro is going with the both dx's . I take cellcept 1000 mg daily, plaquenil, loads of fish oil and vitamin D.

Since beginning cellcept 1.5 yrs ago, I feel healthier, stronger, and as pain free as I can remember. I just read the post about PML and cellcept and am bumming big time. I see my rheumatologist this Friday and I suppose we'll have to talk about other options.

By the way, my name is Laura. I'm 47 and live in Pa. Pleased to make your collective acquaintance

catfreak · Post by **catfreak** » Mon Jan 26, 2009 1:53 pm

Welcome Laura,

Sorry to hear the 2 dx - one is bad enough. Hope you find the answers you are looking for. There are a lot of really intelligent folks here.

I'm Cindi, 49, Mississippi. We are close to the same age. I was just DX in April 2008 but have been probable MS since 2003 and had symptoms since 2000 or maybe before.

CF

ATPisit · Post by **ATPisit** » Tue Jan 27, 2009 2:56 am

Hi Cindi,

Thanks for the welcome. Getting the 2nd diagnoses was actually a relief, sort of like the first one was. At least the reasons for what I feel are real and have a name. I started with symptoms back when I was 15 yrs old - that was the first time I was tested for RA.

Sorry that you wound up here, but glad you found a place of support, education, and like-minded (and like-bodied) folks. What do you do to stave off the progression? How are your symptoms? Mine were pretty bad the first few years, but now I have almost none.

Laura