There actually IS a common thread running through all your symptoms--inflammation. It is a shame that the doctors separate out "psychiatric" from all the rest of your problems since in my experience it is often the same underlying cause. Fix what is wrong to begin with. People with pituitary problems often are told they have "mental illness" for sometimes a decade before a proper diagnosis. The longer the stress of the underlying initial problem goes untreated, the more likely the brain is affected as well.

I agree with looking into Candida. I would add looking into the gluten connection.

I know the site is about children, but the list of resources (look for the link) on It's Not Mental (http://www.itsnotmental.com) may be of some benefit as it has a list of testing sites and articles on the connection between inflammation, stress, autimmune and brain problems.

In the meantime, I want to say I completely understand your frustration because I have both a female friend with your problems, as well as a family member with a subset of them. My female friend is thinking of joining a study being conducted by NIMH on treatment of Sjorgen's syndrome.

I also agree, inflammation can cause problems with the nervous system, see this article: http://www.sjogrensworld.org/mandel.htm

I too suffer from neurological complications caused by Sjogren's Syndrome. I also have rheumatoid arthritis. I can sympathize with all your issues. Also might want to look at the forum at that same site.

Billye

I was diagnosed a few months ago. I to have Sjogren’s Syndrome. I accidently found this web site and I’m in hopes to find someone that can help me make sense of all of this. I just finished reading beenthere’s story and I can honestly say not only been there but I’m still there. I never discuss my situation with anyone, I feel like they all think that I’m crazy. I’m so tired all the time I have become very angry. I have had people tell me that it’s all in my head and that doctors are just telling me that I have Sjogren’s so that I will shut up. They claim that it is not a real disease. I would have attacks off and on (about every three months) they would last about a week and a half. They passed me from doctor to doctor and my tests all came back fine. I checked into the ER on three different occasions and finally after my husband stood there yelling that something was wrong they began to run more tests. I have not even had a cold in 20 years. They finally found that my inflammation levels in my body were extremely high. All that I could tell them was “ I hurt” first I would say its over here (maybe point to my right side) then I would say it was over here (point to my left side) I had no idea that it was inflammation and really could not explain well enough to the doctor for them to understand. The last episode lasted for approximately two and a half months, Only my family members knew, I would continue to try and make it all day at work, I also have bouts of Brain Fog, Short term memory loss, nausea, extreme pain, lower back and sciatic nerve problems. I am now seeing a Rheumatologist and he has put me on Plaquinil and prednisone. They say it will be a few months before I notice a difference with the Plaquinil. Is anyone taking Plaquinil or know anything about it. I’m not sick at the moment but I find myself unable to work the way I’m use to. Absolutely no energy and if I do get a little energy and try to even clean my house the way I use to I usually end up paying for it for a few days. Is there anyone out there that can give me some insight on Sjogren’s?

Billye, thank you!! I got a lot out of the web site you listed. I'm getting a new rheumy!! and passing the info on along with printing it for my ref... thanks again. Have a Blessed Day!
Beenthere

My wife has RA and also the Sjogren thing. We fired two rheumies til we found a very compassionate guy that knew what he was doing. I can say that because it worked, but the truth is these docs just try stuff til it works when it comes to these autoimmune diseases. Anyway, my wife is a nurse and didn't want to go to Enbrel type stuff that would shut her immune system down. That other stuff that starts with an M made her real sick. So she was put on Sulfasalazine (sp?) and it worked beautifully! He said it is the most benign drug and is real cheap (why most docs don't use it, IMHO). Everyone is different but it put her RA completely in remission and gave us our life back. SED rate back to normal. It also got rid of her dry mouth symptoms...I guess that's the Sjogren thing. Her RA was caught before serious bone damage and no guarantees that won't happen. But there is nothing worse than watching your spouse suffer. Understand, too, a lot of praying went into it.