How SJOGREN'S Syndrome Affects Your BRAIN & Spine: Rheumatologist Explains

Sjogren's Syndrome Affects the Brain and Spine - All you need to know
In this video, learn about how Sjogren's Syndrome can affect your brain and spine, from symptoms and signs to laboratory tests, MRI, other tests, and treatment. Learn the difference between Sjogren's Syndrome and Multiple sclerosis.

#sjogrens #braindisease #spinedisease
#Rheumatology
#Autoimmune
#autoimmunedisease
#diagnose
#Sjogren's
#symptoms

Facebook Group: Autoimmune Disease and Arthritis Support Group

🤳 Instagram: @rheumatologistoncall

Please note - we do not provide medical advice, opinions or diagnosis via email, phone or social media messaging.We are seeing patients in multiple US states (currently 10 states). Please check our website to see if we are evaluating and treating patients in your state.

👩🏻‍⚕️ About me:
Dr Diana Girnita is a double board-certified physician in rheumatology and internal medicine. She completed a PhD in immunology, a postdoctoral fellowship at Harvard University, an immunology fellowship at University of Pittsburgh and a rheumatology fellowship at University of Cincinnati. Dr. Girnita graduated from the Nutrition Science course from Stanford University and a Mindfulness course from The University of Massachusetts; She is the founder & CEO of Rheumatologist OnCall, a practice focused on broadening access to rheumatology and offering patients an integrative medicine approach.
Dr. Girnita teaches patients about autoimmune disease and arthritis and helps them customize their treatment plans. Dr. Girnita is passionate about rheumatoid arthritis. The treatment plan is personalized to the patient's needs and incorporates proper nutrition, exercise, and stress management. After all,
"You have a disease, but YOU are not the disease"

** The information in this video is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. All content, including text, graphics, images, and information, contained in this video, is for general information purposes only and does not replace a medical consultation. Any comments and/or recommendations made in the comment section by anyone other than Rheumatologist OnCall do not reflect our opinion or recommendation.**

[robertbeneux]

I got diagnosed 5 years ago and have not had any treatment but been maintained. It has grown bad and brought pulmonary fibrosis, COPD, honeycomb lungs, rheumatoid arthritis. Gerd, and so much more plus now have heart disease. Honestly I have mainly been on my own and now my body is giving up, the mind is strong, my body is going. This disease needs to be educated cause I couldn't tell you how many nurses and even doctors don't know anything about it. I bet I don't finish the year. Stay strong soldiers

[nanaprn]

Omg!! I was a nurse for 50 years (25 years as a nurse practitioner) and have found out more about this disease from this video than I ever had before! Thanks!

[pamcarter]

Prayers for people with sjogrens on this site. I also have sjogrens, fibromyalgia, degenerative disk disease at the base of my spine & osteoarthritis.

[angelinajimenez]

I totally agree! It’s surprising how many doctors have no knowledge of Sjogren’s . All they usually will know is dry eyes and dry mouth. 😢

[halfourfuture]

Average age of onset is 40-60 years...I got it when I was 19 and I have learned more about this disease from this channel than from my doctors in the last 16 years! Thank you so much!

[jilljones]

Thank goodness for a doctor who recognises neurological disorders in Sjogren's!

[pamelaabettis]

I’ve was diagnosed 25 years ago but continue to be frustrated that it’s not taken serious as a systemic disease. If I say “I have Sjogren’s” Drs say “oh, you have dry eyes and mouth. “

[kmetzz]

I hurt so much. It hurts to stand and walk. Everything just hurts.

[sandyreuter]

Thank you so much for these videos. I have been living with Sjogren's for the past 18 years. Last year, I had a bout of COVID, and since then, I have noticed a pronounced decline in my mental and emotional status. I was beginning to think I was crazy, but your video has helped me to understand my disease so much more. Thank you again, and God bless you in the work you do for others.

[joannejohnson]

I had a really severe case of mononucleosis when I was 17. Couldn’t move from the migraine, neck stiffness that never went away, light sensitivity extreme, lasted 3 weeks and I never left the dark room for the whole event.
Neurological, Orthopedic,
Cardiologist,
Immunologist,
Rheumatologist,
Are the constant companions, and illness has been a way of life for me as long as I can remember.

[PoolCarol]

My best friend died of this and I just couldn't understand how a 48 year old woman could just die from this. I am a nurse educator but never learned anything about this in school. So sad

[heyheyrob]

I was diagnosed at 35 y.o.Sjogren's too my career, I was an RN in Labor and Delivery for almost 20 years, got diagnosed and 5 years later was on disability. I'm pretty well managed, however I struggle with pain and fatigue every day. I have these bumps under my skin all over that are painful to touch, neuropathy and my feet turn bluish purple when I am sitting, yet no one thinks anything can be done about it. I am told to sit with my feet up most of the time when I can. My muscles are painful. I have lost teeth. I am trying to stay happy and positive and have a very supportive family, though my daughter doesn't quite get my whole disease. Plain and simple, Sjogrens Sucks.

[lizaconcepcion]

Thank you so much for these videos on Sjogren’s. You are really thorough, most drs don’t understand how systemic Sjogren’s really is. I find I have to explain the disease to many medical professionals.

[CorinnePritchard]

The trouble is that most rheumatologists, and virtually all neurologists, have no knowledge or understanding of the CNS factors in Sjogrens. Even these highly specialised medical professionals dismiss it as sicca symptoms only. Being seronegative, I cannot convince a rheumatologist in my country to even begin to treat me. They won't even do a lip biopsy (not that it always helps). Successive interviews with neurologists have failed to interest them in the very first symptom of Sjogrens I experienced - sleep hyperventilation/tachypnea. A condition only previously documented in a single paper, with no connection to Sjogrens at all, which left me completely exhausted with no recourse to rest. I still can't get a brain scan for love nor money. I have bullied my sleep doctors into providing me with a bipap, and worked out the optimal settings myself since no defaults exist for this particular symptom - but from the Sjogren's forums I know there are many more people out there with exactly the same experience but none of the understanding they need to fight doctors on this. I appreciate you putting this information out there - it is something Sjogren's patients understand very intuitively - however there is a very, very long way to go for our doctors to appreciate it.

[janellemedveckyulickey]

I am so fortunate to have found your videos. I thank you from the epitome of my soul that you are taking your time to create these videos and information so at least mentally I can have a name put on my condition to tell others why I can't do things with or for them at times. I pray for blessings to you and your family for you creating these.

[valeriegardiner]

I was diagnosed with lupus & sjorgrens in my 30 at St Tomas’s in London by dr de Cruz and have struggled ever since but lived each day I am 65

[devaux]

I've learned so much from Dr. Girnita's videos, It really helps me try to be an advocate for my own healthcare with the autoimmune diseases I have. She is showing how what I had 23 years ago all correlates with Sjogren's, it helps to stimulate my thought process to help progress my care when it's not progressing. PACNS survivor here.

[JEBBYIFY]

Man I wish we had Drs like her where I live! I'm going downhill fast!

[melvillementor]

I have sjogrens since 2020 and developed migraines. I am due for a MRI this month. Thank you for this video because I can relate to the CNS.

[sunsetheart]

Pretty sure I have this. I'm 40 and have been having symptoms for like 10 years. Super dry eyes, cervical stenosis, severe headaches several times a month, dizziness, foggy brain, and crazy fatigue. Doctors blow off my symptoms and say my blood work is fine and I'm too young to worry. Intermittent fasting and eating clean seems to help the symptoms but it's hard to commit to a life of IF. 😮‍💨