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Difficulty processing too many words
Hi everyone. I’m still in the process of trying to figure out a diagnosis, though based on lab results and symptoms, they are leaning toward Sjogren’s. I see a rheumatologist in June. My symptoms are fatigue, joint and muscle pain, dry eyes, brain fog. I’m starting to realize that other things may be related also; for example, I always had really good teeth, but over the last few years I’ve suddenly started developing cavities. I also have coughing fits after eating (not every meal, but often enough that my spouse has noticed). All of my symptoms have become noticeable over the last two years or so, though I assume it probably started earlier and gradually worsened. There’s one thing that I wonder if it’s related or not. I get overwhelmed by too many words/sounds at times. The tv is on, the dogs are play wrestling, my spouse is telling me about something that happened at work today. It feels like too much is coming into my brain at once and I get overwhelmed and frustrated. Has anyone else experienced this?
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Coughing when eating.
Do you have food allergies. Look into gluten, eggs, milk. Are the ones that caused me the same thing.
Do a daily diary Check out what you are doing, or just got done.
Be a detective
Good luck.
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2 ReactionsTwo things I think many of us share with autoimmune diagnoses: The long time it takes to get a diagosis and problems with brain fog. I think your example is very clear! I became ill when I was 30. I was told "it's all in your head", sent to psychiatry, told nothing was wrong with me, etc. I didn't get a diagnosis of Sjogrens Syndrome and R.A. until I was 52! I'm hoping things are more clear now but I know there is a big shortage of rheumatologists. While I was going through all those many years, I realized I had to find peace and joy in my life, even just a little every day to be able to cope. I knew I couldn't wait until I got diagnosed to begin my life.
Brain fog: In my case it is all due to extreme fatigue. My spouse just asked me today, Why are you so confused? Well, I'm so exhausted inside that I cannot sort out many things at once. People call this multi-tasking, I call it overwhelm! You deserve to slow things down. I've had it on and off for many years and I became a poet, stayed married 36 years, learned that my brain is going to be different than others because I'm fighting 4 autoimmune illnesses and treatments, medications for them.
My biggest suggestion of all: I sleep for an hour every single day in the late afternoon. No appointments, phone calls, anything. My brain needs this to recharge.
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9 Reactions@sjogrensmn
It sounds like you may want to see a neurologist for a brain MRI and psychologist for an evaluation/assessment. It sounds like sensory overload like with ADHD/Autism or a sensory processing disorder.
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/sensory-processing-disorder-spd
@sjogrensmn
The cavities and coughing after eating can be caused by dry mouth (since you have dry eyes). Do you stay really hydrated throughout the day drinking at least 50% of your body weight in ounces of water with electrolytes added (like LMNT brand)? There are some mouth rinses for dry mouth and chewing sugar free gum can help with increasing salivation.
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1 Reaction@sjogrensmn
Have you had a full thyroid and iron blood panel done (not just CBC and TSH check)? This can be behind brain fog and fatigue.
1. https://www.healthline.com/health/anemia/anemia-blood-test
2. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diagnostics/17556-thyroid-blood-tests
Brain fog is common with autoimmune disease, but mine worsened significantly after I had Covid. My rheumatologist asked me to see a neurologist who did a brain MRI just to make sure there was nothing else going on. Perhaps that might be a good idea for you too. Cavities are linked to dry mouth and are common with Sjogrens. I get dry mouth from one of my other meds and my doctor recommended I stop drinking alcohol and coffee, and he suggested a product called Biotene (it comes as a mouth spray or lozenge). Best of luck with your upcoming appointment.