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What Causes Headache, Vomiting And Cold Sweats In A Person With Sjogren's Syndrome?
Question: I am a 65 year old female diagnosed with Sjogrens, rheumatoid Arthritis and hypothyroidism. For the past several years...and more so lately...I have been getting severe headaches, vomiting, cold sweats, low body temp. ( 93-95), high BP that last 2 or 3 days. This happens once or twice every couple of months. I inevitably end up at the hospital, get a Cat scan and a back X-Ray and blood work. I am always sent home with an aspirin regimen and told to see my primary physician.
Before the Sjogrens was diagnosed, lupus was detected in my blood work. Now the results are negative with the last 8 tests. I suffer severe fibromyalgia and take hydro condone as needed 750-325 acetametaphine.
I also suffer bi-polar and take depacote, Paxil and Klonopin for that.
I am sick of being sick. My dr. Says I have migraines. For years after menopause, I never had migraines. Could he be right? Could they come on years later? All the other factors are weird too...the sweats, the low body temp. I get light headed and feel like I have vertigo. I have suffered two small strokes in the past. Any ideas for me? Please direct me to the right source for help. Thank you.
Before the Sjogrens was diagnosed, lupus was detected in my blood work. Now the results are negative with the last 8 tests. I suffer severe fibromyalgia and take hydro condone as needed 750-325 acetametaphine.
I also suffer bi-polar and take depacote, Paxil and Klonopin for that.
I am sick of being sick. My dr. Says I have migraines. For years after menopause, I never had migraines. Could he be right? Could they come on years later? All the other factors are weird too...the sweats, the low body temp. I get light headed and feel like I have vertigo. I have suffered two small strokes in the past. Any ideas for me? Please direct me to the right source for help. Thank you.
Brief Answer:
Is it all due to Fibromyalgia
Detailed Answer:
Good evening
Thank you for writing on health care magic.
I have gone through your history and it looks like the stress levels are high due to lack of a proper diagnosis. I will do my best to guide you in the right direction
1. Considering you have been diagnosed with Sjogrens Syndrome and Rheumatoid arthritis, I dont see any medications which you are taking for these diseases. Considering autoimmune disorders, one has to be on long term medications for it. Sjogrens syndrome if untreated can cause lot of symptoms of fatigue, muscle aches, joint aches, dry eyes and dry mouth. SO if you could throw some light on how they labelled it as Sjogrens or Rheumatoid it would be helpful as both the diseases cant be left untreated
2. The symptoms of migraine, vertigo, low body temperature can very well be part of Fibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia is a disease where the pain center gets altered due to stressful circumstances or due to any other autoimmune condition. But yes it is the diagnosis of exclusion, that is once we are sure you dont have active symptoms of Sjogrens syndrome.
3. Even for fibromyalgia, you need to be on regular medications for a short period. So that is something we need to look into.
DO let me know more details on your autoimmune condition and why there is no treatment for it. Will try to guide you further
Await your reply
Regards
Dr Naval
Is it all due to Fibromyalgia
Detailed Answer:
Good evening
Thank you for writing on health care magic.
I have gone through your history and it looks like the stress levels are high due to lack of a proper diagnosis. I will do my best to guide you in the right direction
1. Considering you have been diagnosed with Sjogrens Syndrome and Rheumatoid arthritis, I dont see any medications which you are taking for these diseases. Considering autoimmune disorders, one has to be on long term medications for it. Sjogrens syndrome if untreated can cause lot of symptoms of fatigue, muscle aches, joint aches, dry eyes and dry mouth. SO if you could throw some light on how they labelled it as Sjogrens or Rheumatoid it would be helpful as both the diseases cant be left untreated
2. The symptoms of migraine, vertigo, low body temperature can very well be part of Fibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia is a disease where the pain center gets altered due to stressful circumstances or due to any other autoimmune condition. But yes it is the diagnosis of exclusion, that is once we are sure you dont have active symptoms of Sjogrens syndrome.
3. Even for fibromyalgia, you need to be on regular medications for a short period. So that is something we need to look into.
DO let me know more details on your autoimmune condition and why there is no treatment for it. Will try to guide you further
Await your reply
Regards
Dr Naval
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Thanks for your quick follow up,
I am taking medications for Sjogrens and Lupus - plaquenil and Pilocarpine. I take the plaquenil twice a day, pilocarpine three x a day. I take atenolol for moderate high BP, Synthroid for hypothyroidism, Paxil, Depacote for depression.
I have noticed a bit of trembling in my hands, especially when I try to type. As a writer, this makes things hard on e me.
When I get these flares of sickness, nothing seems to help the headache...codeine, Aleve, aspirin or ibuprophen. I have even tried Benedryl, thinking it was sinus connected, to no effect.
The headache brings on the nausea and vomiting. I become very weak and shakey. My pulse slows, my temp drops, my BP goes high. It is all very confusing. We are going on a 10 day vacation in XXXXXXX and I dread getting sick while we are there.
One friend suggested I might have an inner ear infection since I get dizzy and have vertigo once in awhile. Another said I should be tested for MS. But wouldn't that have shown up in my blood work??
Thank you for your kind response. XXXXXXX XXXXXXX
I am taking medications for Sjogrens and Lupus - plaquenil and Pilocarpine. I take the plaquenil twice a day, pilocarpine three x a day. I take atenolol for moderate high BP, Synthroid for hypothyroidism, Paxil, Depacote for depression.
I have noticed a bit of trembling in my hands, especially when I try to type. As a writer, this makes things hard on e me.
When I get these flares of sickness, nothing seems to help the headache...codeine, Aleve, aspirin or ibuprophen. I have even tried Benedryl, thinking it was sinus connected, to no effect.
The headache brings on the nausea and vomiting. I become very weak and shakey. My pulse slows, my temp drops, my BP goes high. It is all very confusing. We are going on a 10 day vacation in XXXXXXX and I dread getting sick while we are there.
One friend suggested I might have an inner ear infection since I get dizzy and have vertigo once in awhile. Another said I should be tested for MS. But wouldn't that have shown up in my blood work??
Thank you for your kind response. XXXXXXX XXXXXXX
Brief Answer:
Cause of symptoms
Detailed Answer:
Good evening
Sorry for the late response. Was caught up in hospital shift
Well the sort of headaches you are describing do fit in with migraine. Migraine can accompany the severe fibromyalgia you are suffering from. It can also cause the temperature variations along with feeling of whole body swellings, fatigue, forgetfulness and irritability.
If it was MS, it would have shown up in the CAT scans you had got done. Blood work up may not be too specific for MS, but yes the CT scan and the symptoms you are experiencing will co relate. So, if it has been all good so far dont worry about MS.
Secondly the tremors could be due to the medication side effect. Especially the anti depressants you are taking. It can be due to one of it. You should let your psychiatrist know about this side effect and see if he wants to change some medication.
Lastly, since you say all the bloods and Scans have been normal, I would suggest you try some medication for Fibromyalgia like Duloxetine or Amitryptilline. IT would help the low moods , the headaches and the pain you have been experiencing.
Hope the information was useful
Do let me know for more queries
Regards
Dr Naval
Cause of symptoms
Detailed Answer:
Good evening
Sorry for the late response. Was caught up in hospital shift
Well the sort of headaches you are describing do fit in with migraine. Migraine can accompany the severe fibromyalgia you are suffering from. It can also cause the temperature variations along with feeling of whole body swellings, fatigue, forgetfulness and irritability.
If it was MS, it would have shown up in the CAT scans you had got done. Blood work up may not be too specific for MS, but yes the CT scan and the symptoms you are experiencing will co relate. So, if it has been all good so far dont worry about MS.
Secondly the tremors could be due to the medication side effect. Especially the anti depressants you are taking. It can be due to one of it. You should let your psychiatrist know about this side effect and see if he wants to change some medication.
Lastly, since you say all the bloods and Scans have been normal, I would suggest you try some medication for Fibromyalgia like Duloxetine or Amitryptilline. IT would help the low moods , the headaches and the pain you have been experiencing.
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. Raju A.T
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