Santo: Sjogren's Syndrome

I am sixty-three years old. In the past I suffered from gastroesophageal reflux. I had a successful treatment with PPI.

In August 2002, the medicine all of a sudden stopped working, especially regarding the symptoms (I thought extraesophagic) in the mouth. I went through laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication surgery. The esophagus problem was thus solved, but the symptoms in my mouth and later on my eyes (extreme dryness) stayed.

I went to doctors repeatedly. I visited gastroenterologist, mouth experts, dentists, ears, nose and throat specialists, and none of them could explain the symptoms that I thought were a consequence of my gastroesophageal reflux. In fact they could not advise me or give me valid suggestions since I have a, I hope mild, form of Sjogren's Syndrome.

Now I am recovering with saliva substitutes. It is a bit better, and soon I will visit and get tested with an immunologist, also to know if this illness, autoimmune, that has affected my mouth and eyes could also affect other organs.