I've got a weird question for you all. Come right in.

[LittlePeople]

So I've been wondering about a couple things, and I'm wondering if any of you have them, or heard of them.

1. Do you have, or heard of Sjogren's Syndrome? If not, would you been willing to look it up?
2. Do you have, or heard of Rheumatoid Arthritis? If not, would you been willing to look it up?

Or anything else? I'm trying to spread the word about these, and I also want to learn about anything else.

[HD]

I have rheumatoid arthritis and was diagnosed at an early age.
Mine is not nearly as servere as my Grandmothers.
Her's was more of the disfigurement of the joints. Crooked fingers and needed several joint replacments.


Why would you ask?


Hunter

[guythathunts]

I have heard about both of them but am only farmiliar with Rheumatoid Arthritis. I have a buddy that has it. He was told at a young age that he would not be able to hold as much as a pen or pencil by his mid teans. he went on to be a pitcher at Mankoto State and can still operate,. he has had Tommy Johns surgery and he still lives a normal lifestyle. He has gone through some tough times with it but has had lots of sucess with treatments and with the help of doctors is doing great. Why do you ask?

[LittlePeople]

I was just wondering because I have them both. I wanted to know how many people on here have them, and what not.

[HUNTER2]

Definition

Sjögren's syndrome is a disorder where the mouth and eyes become extremely dry. Sjögren's syndrome is often associated with other autoimmune disorders.


Description

Like other autoimmune disorders, Sjögren's syndrome occurs when the body's immune system mistakenly begins treating parts of the body as foreign invaders. While the immune cells should attack and kill invaders like bacteria, viruses, and fungi, these cells should not attack the body itself. In autoimmune disorders, however, cells called antibodies see tissues of the body as foreign, and help to start a chain of events that results in damage and destruction of those tissues.

There are three types of Sjögren's syndrome. Primary Sjögren's syndrome occurs by itself, with no other associated disorders. Secondary Sjögren's syndrome occurs along with other autoimmune disorders, like systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma, vasculitis, or polymyositis. When the disorder is limited to involvement of the eyes, with no other organ or tissue involvement evident, it is called sicca complex.

Women are about nine times more likely to suffer from Sjögren's syndrome than are men. It affects all age groups, although most patients are diagnosed when they are between 40 and 55 years old. Sjögren's syndrome is commonly associated with other autoimmune disorders. In fact, 30% of patients with certain autoimmune disorders will also have Sjögren's syndrome