How has Sjögren's affected your life (either physically, emotionally, financially)?:
Sjögren's is so much more than the standard definition of the word. For me, if affects my skin, joints, my lungs, and my digestive system. Living with Sjögren's is expensive, even with health insurance from my job. Many people don't understand that with Sjögren's disease, I may look fine on the outside, but the battle goes on in the inside.
How has connecting with the Sjögren's community or others living with Sjögren's Disease affected your journey with SjD?:
I'd never heard of Sjögren's before my diagnosis, so meeting people with the disease, and reading their stories, reminds me that I am not alone. Giving and gaining tips from the Sjögren's community to help manage the disease is priceless.
Where/who do you go to for support with Sjögren's?:
I'm a reader so for support with Sjögren's I tend to research a lot. My rheumatologist is wonderful and I contact her as well.
Please finish the following sentence: "Sjögren's has taught me...":
Sjögren's has taught me to take care of myself and to not put myself last in line anymore.
What do you wish people knew about your Sjögren’s?:
I wish people knew that Sjögren's is a systemic disease. It needs to be taken as seriously as Lupus and similar autoimmune diseases.
What advice would you give to someone newly diagnosed?:
I would suggest they do their own research and educate themselves about the disease. Dive into the Sjögren's community and connect with other Sjögren's patients.
What does it mean to "thrive" while living with Sjögren's?:
Thriving in the face of Sjögren's means not letting it define you. Although Sjögren's can be debilitating, it shouldn't have the last word. Live fully as best you can.
How do you incorporate self-care with managing Sjögren's?:
Sjögren's forces me to take care of myself, otherwise I can not function. Epsom salt baths, healthy eating, getting lots of rest, journaling, and fasting are the tools I use in my health tool box.
What inspires you to keep going on hard days?:
Being grateful that I am still physically active and able to do most things. Hard days remind me to take it easy.
What’s your best Sjögren’s tip?:
Rest when your body says to rest.
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Click Here to Learn More About Sjögren's Awareness Month
How has Sjögren's affected your life (either physically, emotionally, financially)?:
Sjögren's is so much more than the standard definition of the word. For me, if affects my skin, joints, my lungs, and my digestive system. Living with Sjögren's is expensive, even with health insurance from my job. Many people don't understand that with Sjögren's disease, I may look fine on the outside, but the battle goes on in the inside.
How has connecting with the Sjögren's community or others living with Sjögren's Disease affected your journey with SjD?:
I'd never heard of Sjögren's before my diagnosis, so meeting people with the disease, and reading their stories, reminds me that I am not alone. Giving and gaining tips from the Sjögren's community to help manage the disease is priceless.
Where/who do you go to for support with Sjögren's?:
I'm a reader so for support with Sjögren's I tend to research a lot. My rheumatologist is wonderful and I contact her as well.
Please finish the following sentence: "Sjögren's has taught me...":
Sjögren's has taught me to take care of myself and to not put myself last in line anymore.
What do you wish people knew about your Sjögren’s?:
I wish people knew that Sjögren's is a systemic disease. It needs to be taken as seriously as Lupus and similar autoimmune diseases.
What advice would you give to someone newly diagnosed?:
I would suggest they do their own research and educate themselves about the disease. Dive into the Sjögren's community and connect with other Sjögren's patients.
What does it mean to "thrive" while living with Sjögren's?:
Thriving in the face of Sjögren's means not letting it define you. Although Sjögren's can be debilitating, it shouldn't have the last word. Live fully as best you can.
How do you incorporate self-care with managing Sjögren's?:
Sjögren's forces me to take care of myself, otherwise I can not function. Epsom salt baths, healthy eating, getting lots of rest, journaling, and fasting are the tools I use in my health tool box.
What inspires you to keep going on hard days?:
Being grateful that I am still physically active and able to do most things. Hard days remind me to take it easy.
What’s your best Sjögren’s tip?:
Rest when your body says to rest.
Click Here to Return to Stories
Click Here to Learn More About Sjögren's Awareness Month