Living with Sjogren's Syndrome: My Journey

Hi I was officially diagnosed with SS in the 80's but in retrospect I believe I had it all my life. I am now 74 soon to be 75 years old. I have gone through many stages of this illness some issues have ceased and are replaced by new ones. I recall in the mid sixty's after I had my 2 sons by a C section my fatigue,flu like symptoms and healing abilities against infections worsened. I was always told my fatigue and aches in my muscles and joints was in my head so I dealt with it as a young mom and sneaked in naps whenever I could. I returned to college at 37 to become a court reporter and was abruptly pulled off course when I was at the apex of my new career. I began getting very painfully ulcerations in my finger tips. I was prescribed antibiotics and my body was not responding. I returned to the doctor and he was on vacation. The attending physician was familiar with SS and after asking some questions and viewing the red blotches on my face sent me to a specialist and my life on the doctor trail began and I was diagnosed with ss. I attended 5 clinics as a out patient at a teaching hospital and was hospitalized every year for pneumonia. I was on many drugs that have been taken off the market or caused other issues with me. I have gone through many years of trials and error. Now that I am much older I eat healthy, exercise by cycling, walking and swimming. I rest when I am tired. I take daily supplements, vitamins and CBD which for me works well and helps me live a happy life.