Question 1

ent says salivary lip biopsy only 40% accurate to dx sjogrens, and suggests parotid gland biopsy, saying 80 accurate%.  is this correct?

Accepted Answer

Sjogren's: I've not seen those exact percentages noted in the medical literature, but they may certainly be reasonable.  The key to diagnosis of this disorder is the salivary gland cells.  The best place to perform biopsies to get salivary cells are in the lower lip and the tail of parotid.  A lip biopsy can be done without a visible scar.  A tail of parotid biopsy will scar, but you can usually hide it well

Question 2

can cytoxan (cyclophosphamide) cause blood antibodies to not show in blood tests? my rheumatologist says yes so only a lip biopsy will show sjogrens. have all symptoms.

Accepted Answer

Sometimes: Remember, a lip biopsy is not always a definitive test. If the biopsy specimen does not contain salivary glands, then the diagnosis cannot be confirmed. Rather than a lip biopsy, why not just treat the symptoms?

Question 3

dx sjogrens 11/2/13.  diangosis ms 3/05/2001. ms ? thens?tap showed +. 1 doc thought nom labs -. sjogrens labs - lip biopsy  was + 24 out of 4. i am in wheelchair. no reflexes in lower limbs. is nom possible

Accepted Answer

Do you mean NMO?: This is complex.  Gather you do have sjogren's, and seems that you must have some spinal cord issues, but do you really have multiple sclerosis or neuromyelitis optica?  An anti-aquaporin 4 test can help, and would just to be safe, recheck ss-a and ss-b, but also get b-12, methylmelonic acid, homocysteine, updated spinal cord mri.  Suggest you get evaluated at mayo clinic.

Question 4

why do u think my  md still suspects sjogrens vs lupus(ana 1:640, negative lip biopsy, raynauds, fatigue, photosens, rashes, jt/muscle pain, sicca ?

Accepted Answer

The clinical picture: It is often difficult to determine whether sjogrens is a primary diagnosis or secondary to other connective tissue disorders such as lupus. . The lip biopsy is not foolproof but if salivary glands present were all normal then i would suspect that lupus was primary and the sjogrens was secondary.

Question 5

i have sjogrens syndrome but lately my mouth has been extremely dry and my tongue feels numb, and my tongue hurts. my mouth tastes awful. what is it?

Accepted Answer

Sjogrens: It is probably the sjogrens.   I recommend you talk to your doctor about these worsening symptoms.  I wish you the very best

Question 6

lip biopsy- seronegative sjogren's. what's diff in + & -?  see dr 11/25. any suggestions or where to find info? very sick year. had 2 ivig's for my ms

Accepted Answer

Here's a heads-up: Sjogren's can actually produce brain lesions that mimic multiple sclerosis. Most but not all white folks have anti-ro and anti-la on board with sjogren's but for other ancestries it may not be so. Read up a little on this and get more knowledgeable than most physicians -- you can do this in a fairly short time, and the best physicians appreciate this kind of partnership.

Question 7

lip biopsy for sjorgrens - is it really needed, or are blood tests enough?

Accepted Answer

Depends: If i had the classic symptoms (dry eyes, dry mouth, large parotids), classic parotid duct imaging and high titers of anti-ssa/ro and anti-ssb/la, i might forego biopsy.  Otherwise, my own choice would be for biopsy simply to certainty -- sjogren's complications in lung, liver, and even brain can be surprising, and forewarned is forearmed.  Get informed consent and decide.

Question 8

dx w/ undifferentiated connective tissue disease 9/11/13. where & how do i find any good info. lip biopsy may prove sjorgrens. relieved i'm not crazy.

Accepted Answer

Auto immune diseases: These  are diseases of immune system that involves joints , cartilage, muscles and skin in multiple organs including eyes, heart, lungs, kidneys, GI tract, blood vessels, nervous system and bone marrow to name few and include lupus, vasculitis , sjogrens etc .  Some patients do not fulfill the criteria established for any disease and are called undifferentiated connective tissue disease.Fu with rheumato.

Question 9

can men get sjogrens syndrome?

Accepted Answer

Yes: More than 90% of sjogren's cases are in females.

Question 10

i don't take my medication for my sjogrens syndrome... what can happen?

Accepted Answer

See details: It depends on the areas involved and the severity of the involvement. If you have mild disease treatment may not be needed. You need to discuss this question with your rheumatologist. The use of Restasis eyedrops may prevent permanent loss of the ability to produce tears. Pilocarpine reduces the risk of serious gum and dental issues.

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Doctor answers about:

Lip biopsy for sjogren s syndrome

A member asked:

Ent says salivary lip biopsy only 40% accurate to dx sjogrens, and suggests parotid gland biopsy, saying 80 accurate%. is this correct?

A member asked:

Can cytoxan (cyclophosphamide) cause blood antibodies to not show in blood tests? my rheumatologist says yes so only a lip biopsy will show sjogrens. have all symptoms.

A member asked:

Dx sjogrens 11/2/13. diangosis ms 3/05/2001. ms ? thens?tap showed +. 1 doc thought nom labs -. sjogrens labs - lip biopsy was + 24 out of 4. i am in wheelchair. no reflexes in lower limbs. is nom possible

A member asked:

Why do u think my md still suspects sjogrens vs lupus(ana 1:640, negative lip biopsy, raynauds, fatigue, photosens, rashes, jt/muscle pain, sicca ?

A member asked:

I have sjogrens syndrome but lately my mouth has been extremely dry and my tongue feels numb, and my tongue hurts. my mouth tastes awful. what is it?

A member asked:

Lip biopsy- seronegative sjogren's. what's diff in + & -? see dr 11/25. any suggestions or where to find info? very sick year. had 2 ivig's for my ms

A member asked:

Lip biopsy for sjorgrens - is it really needed, or are blood tests enough?

A member asked:

Dx w/ undifferentiated connective tissue disease 9/11/13. where & how do i find any good info. lip biopsy may prove sjorgrens. relieved i'm not crazy.

A member asked:

Can men get sjogrens syndrome?

A member asked:

I don't take my medication for my sjogrens syndrome... what can happen?

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