Sjogren's was never really looked at as a possibility. An ENT mentioned it once after sinus surgery...just in passing, because he noted my tissue was extremely dry. He never followed up.

It's not a household name. Until the doctor asked, I had no idea that the grit feeling in my eyes or the dry mouth was really that abnormal...because it was normal for me...and it was the least of my problems. It wasn't until I went to a doctor at Hopkins for my blood clotting disorder (APS), that the physician asked questions about my extensive medical history...for over 2 hours. He suggested Sjogren's and ordered labs (which of course were negative), a schirmer's test, and lip biopsy...both of which were very positive.

Sjogren's is now something doctors are looking at and testing for more frequently.