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Santo: Sjogren's Syndrome

Italian

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.

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ISN Artist: Sherrill Knaggs (In Loving Memory)

Sherrill Knaggs, ISN Artist, created the digital photo to illustrate the story on this page. Sherrill lived in New Zealand. Her story was featured in ISN's book, Voices of Scleroderma Volume 2.

ISN Translator and Editor: Alba León

Alba León is the ISN Translator for this page. She is studying international relations in Mexico City.

ISN Story Editor: Judith Thompson Devlin

Judith Thompson Devlin is the ISN Story Editor for this story. She is also lead editor of the ISN's wonderful Voices of Scleroderma book series!

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