Sjogren's World Staff
Quiger
Chat Host, E-Pal Coordinator, Forum Administrator, Acting Staff Coordinator
Hi everyone I'm Quiger, but I will answer to anything that starts with a Q. I was born and raised in the Midwest but for the past eight years my hubby and I have lived in the Deep South. My professional background is in accounting and personnel. For most of my adult life, I have been pretty healthy. I had my share of viral and bacterial infections like flu and bronchitis, but nothing serious until 1999 when I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I had surgery and radiation treatments and I am now in remission. In 2000 while I was being treated for skin cancer, the Dermatologist noticed the rash on my face. When antibiotics and creams didn't help, he ran blood tests, which showed a positive ANA and SSA. He sent me to a Rheumatologist who diagnosed Sjogren's. Wow, what a rude awakening. I had tried to ignore my dry eyes and mouth and I thought all the joint pain and fatigue was from the radiation treatments and my age. I also have Thyroid problems so I thought all the dryness was from that.
The Rheumy gave me Plaquenil but I started having eye problems after about three months and had to stop taking it. At the time, I was a work-a-holic so I just worked hard and tried to ignore all the changes and symptoms that kept getting worse. I realize now that wasn't the right thing to do but I had never heard of Sjogren's and thought it was probably nothing. I really thought my health and symptoms were under control. As my symptoms continued to worsen I had to face the fact that this was something after all. This all started almost four years ago and I have since been diagnosed with Fibro, TMJ, GERD, IBS, Colitis, and overlapping Mixed Connective Tissue Disease symptoms. I went through a long period of denial. It gets very hard to accept that I have limitations now. I am no longer able to work and have recently started drawing social security disability.
Then I found this website and it was such a blessing for me. I learned what questions to ask my doctors and to make a list before I went to an appointment. Of course sometimes I still forget to take my list with me. I think one of the most difficult symptoms of Sjogren's is the brain fog and bad memory. I used to have the best memory and now sometimes I am lucky to be able to find my way home from the doctor's office. I am so grateful for this website and am so proud to now be a staff member. I understand that some people have minor symptoms and never develop anything worse, but this site is great for everyone no matter what degree of symptoms you have. So if you need information or you just need a place where people understand that just because you "look good" it doesn't mean you feel good, this is the right place for you. Even if you just need a smile and some understanding and compassion, you came to the right place, and the e-pals program is wonderful. I look forward to reading your postings on the message boards or talking to you in the chat room.
