What Causes Dry Eyes And Mouth?

Posted on Wed, 22 Apr 2015

Question: I have dry eyes and dry mouth and the doctors keep bringing up sjorgens.
But in 2014 December isclerdo did blood work for it negative all
2009 RNP Anti less then 0.2
XXXXXXX anti less then 0.2
Sjorgrens anti SSA less then 0.2
Sjorgrens anit SSB less then 0.2
Antiscleroderma 70 antiboties less then 0.2
SED Rate 6
2009 WAs tested
ANA panal result 1
RNP anti - less then 0.2
XXXXXXX Anti less then 0.2
Antischeroderma 70 less then 0.2
Sjorgrens Anti SSA less then 0.2
Sjorgrens anti SSB less the 0.2
Antichromation anit less then 0.2
Anti XXXXXXX 1 less then 0.2
Anti Centromere B anti less then 0.2

Should I have the lip biopsy to rule it out! What are the changes that I have this terrible
disease with all blood work normal.
Thank you,
XXXX

Answered by Dr. Naval Mendiratta (19 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Sjogrens Syndrome

Detailed Answer:
Good evening

Thank you for writing on health care magic

Well the diagnosis of Sjogrens syndrome can be a bit difficult at times. You can have lot of sicca symptoms( Dry eyes and dry mouth) without any blood test being positive.
As for the sicca symptoms go, they can be present in a lot of other conditions amongst which Diabetes is a common cause.

As far your antibodies are negative, it is a good sign indicating the organ involvement due to sjogrens would be less( if at all it is). Sjogrens syndrome can have lot of antibodies negative. ANA can be negative in 20 % and the SSA and SSB in 40 %. The latest guidelines for Sjogrens do suggest to go for a Salivary Gland Biopsy to confirm the diagnosis if autoimmune profile is negative. But it depends on how symptomatic are you. Considering it has been 6-7 years, I believe you havnt had any major organ involvement so far. Please do update me if you had any other organ involvement other than the LAcrimal and SAlivary gland?

The management of diseases like Sjogrens and SLE depends on the organ involvement. Even if lip Biopsy comes positive, there wont be much change in your management as you havnt had any major organ involvement. We can add Hydroxychloroquine just to slow the disease progression.

So i would suggest, if you want a Diagnosis you can go ahead with it or else you need to monitor your blood tests every 6 months just to be sure no organ is getting involved.

I hope the information was sufficient.
Do update me on any other symptoms if you have experienced in the past few years.

REgards
DR Naval

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Naval Mendiratta (1 hour later)

Can the dry mouth be caused by Candidia Yeast infection? Because
I had lyme disease and was on antibiotics for 7 years straight and was
on birth control for 20 years. I have started natural hormone replacement
therapy(have been on them for 3wks) and it has seemed to help some
with the dry mouth.

Answered by Dr. Naval Mendiratta (7 hours later)

Brief Answer:
? Sjogrens Syndrome

Detailed Answer:
Good evening

Well yes, there is a possibility when you take antibiotics for that long it normally dries up the microflora in the mouth which is essential in a lot of functions in the oral cavity.

Well the horomonal treatment can help in these conditions. We normally do give low dose of steroids in the SJogrens syndrome to help increase the secretion of saliva and tears by inhibiting the infiltrating cells in the glands. The OCPS can play a role in the similar way, but yeah they are not potent.

The other medication you can try is Pilocarpine which increases the secretions of salivary and lacrimal glands.

Hope the information was useful

Do let me know for more queries

REgards
Dr Naval

Note: For further information on diet changes to reduce allergy symptoms or to boost your immunity, Ask here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Pradeep Vitta