Pooja 24 (Diagnosed at 22)
Please finish the following sentence: "Sjögren's has taught me..."
How to be strong inside out.
What are your most difficult symptoms?
Fatigue, muscle pain
How has Sjögren's impacted your life (either physically, emotionally, financially)?
Been an emotional roller coaster, physically exhausting, financially depriving.
How do you effectively cope with the complexity of symptoms?
Stay positive, talk to friends, and share things.
What do you wish people knew about your Sjögren’s?
Even a simple change in body or any symptoms don't negate.
How do you incorporate self-care with managing Sjögren's?
Stay hydrated, meditate, stay positive.
What’s your best Sjögren’s tip?
Share your thoughts about your health and listen to your body.
What topic would you like to discuss. Please list one symptom (dry eyes, fatigue, joint pain, etc) or situation (being a student, filing for disability, dating, working etc) to discuss in the next few questions:
Filing a disability, being a student, dating
What do you wish you knew when first dealing with this symptom/situation?
How it affects us emotionally.
What is your best advice for another patient dealing with this symptom/ situation?
You're not the only one. Don't let this kill your gut you kill this being strong and prove it wrong
In a few short sentences, please tell us your story with this symptom and anything additional for advice for another patient going through something similar.
I was thrilled about moving to Europe to pursue my master's degree and start a new chapter in my life. Everything seemed perfect when I received my visa and acceptance from the university. However, my excitement turned into shock when I was diagnosed with Sjögren’s syndrome during a routine checkup just 15 days later. It felt like my world was falling apart. Despite feeling devastated, I decided to show my strength to my parents and myself. I moved to Germany to pursue my dreams, even though dealing with the symptoms of Sjögren’s, like fatigue, muscle pain, dehydration, and eye swelling, has been challenging for the past two years. Some people have doubted my illness, thinking I'm pretending or lying about being sick. But I know the truth. I don't need to prove anything to anyone. I'm determined to keep chasing my dreams despite the obstacles Sjögren’s may bring.
Pooja 24 (Diagnosed at 22)
Please finish the following sentence: "Sjögren's has taught me..."
How to be strong inside out.
What are your most difficult symptoms?
Fatigue, muscle pain
How has Sjögren's impacted your life (either physically, emotionally, financially)?
Been an emotional roller coaster, physically exhausting, financially depriving.
How do you effectively cope with the complexity of symptoms?
Stay positive, talk to friends, and share things.
What do you wish people knew about your Sjögren’s?
Even a simple change in body or any symptoms don't negate.
How do you incorporate self-care with managing Sjögren's?
Stay hydrated, meditate, stay positive.
What’s your best Sjögren’s tip?
Share your thoughts about your health and listen to your body.
What topic would you like to discuss. Please list one symptom (dry eyes, fatigue, joint pain, etc) or situation (being a student, filing for disability, dating, working etc) to discuss in the next few questions:
Filing a disability, being a student, dating
What do you wish you knew when first dealing with this symptom/situation?
How it affects us emotionally.
What is your best advice for another patient dealing with this symptom/ situation?
You're not the only one. Don't let this kill your gut you kill this being strong and prove it wrong
In a few short sentences, please tell us your story with this symptom and anything additional for advice for another patient going through something similar.
I was thrilled about moving to Europe to pursue my master's degree and start a new chapter in my life. Everything seemed perfect when I received my visa and acceptance from the university. However, my excitement turned into shock when I was diagnosed with Sjögren’s syndrome during a routine checkup just 15 days later. It felt like my world was falling apart. Despite feeling devastated, I decided to show my strength to my parents and myself. I moved to Germany to pursue my dreams, even though dealing with the symptoms of Sjögren’s, like fatigue, muscle pain, dehydration, and eye swelling, has been challenging for the past two years. Some people have doubted my illness, thinking I'm pretending or lying about being sick. But I know the truth. I don't need to prove anything to anyone. I'm determined to keep chasing my dreams despite the obstacles Sjögren’s may bring.