Patient's Query
Hello, Doctor,
I am a 39 year old female with a history of endometriosis and glossopharyngeal neuralgia type 1 and type 2 associated with syncope. Currently, I am treated with a pacemaker and Oxcarbazepine. Now I have chronic fatigue, widespread joint pain, sleep apnea, depression, anxiety, extremely dry mouth, dry eyes, recurrent kidney stones, slow digestion, bloating, exercise intolerance, brain fog, and dizziness.
This is combined with severe dry mouth and dry eyes, with fatigue and joint pain. This is raising my concern for Sjogren’s syndrome or another autoimmune condition. Please tell me,
How can I diagnose this condition?
What test can I do?
Kindly help.
Hello,
Welcome to icliniq.com.
I read your query and can understand your concern.
The pattern you describe, including
Fatigue.
Brain fog.
Exercise intolerance.
Joint pain.
Non restorative.
Sleep dryness of the eyes.
Mouth and bloating
This suggests this is likely multifactorial rather than caused by one single diagnosis. Even with a negative ANA (antinuclear antibody), conditions such as seronegative autoimmune disease or Sjögren’s syndrome can still be considered. Especially given the severity of the dryness, alongside that, fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue syndrome, myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME CFS) could also explain the pain, post-exertional worsening, and cognitive symptoms.
Your medications, especially Oxcarbazepine (anticonvulsant medication) and Quetiapine (atypical antipsychotic medication), may also be contributing to fatigue, brain fog, dry mouth, and sleep apnea, even when treated, can still leave some residual symptoms
At this point, you can perform the following tests,
Rheumatology review with Extractable Nuclear Antigen (ENA) panel.
SSA SSB antibodies for Sjögren’s.
Thyroid function, including free T3 and free T4.
Vitamin levels, such as vitamin B12, vitamin D, and ferritin, and possibly autonomic testing if dizziness and exercise intolerance continue.
A medication review is also important for determining whether adjustments could reduce cognitive side effects and dry mouth symptoms. For activity pacing, with very gradual energy-conserving movement is often more effective than pushing through symptoms or following a traditional exercise approach.
I hope this information helps you.
Feel free to ask further queries.
Thank you.
Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!
Related Questions
Endometriosis vs. PCOS
Endometriosis in Ayurvedic Perspective
In my thirties what is causing my arteries to swell up?
Cranial Neuritis - Types, Symptoms, and Treatment
Carbamazepine - Indication, Dosage, Precautions, and Pharmacological Aspects
How to manage caffeine-induced anxiety and the associated symptoms?
Disclaimer: No content published on this website is intended to be a substitute for professional medical diagnosis, advice or treatment by a trained physician. Seek advice from your physician or other qualified healthcare providers with questions you may have regarding your symptoms and medical condition for a complete medical diagnosis. Do not delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice because of something you have read on this website. Read our Editorial Process to know how we create content for health articles and queries.