Recently Answered Questions
All the answers published in this website are written by verified medical doctors, therapists and health experts. The Content has been moderated by iCliniq medical review team before publication. Post your medical clarifications on iCliniq by choosing the right specialty and get them answered. Your medical queries will be answered 24/7 by top doctors from iCliniq.
Do all my symptoms occur due to lupus?
Query: Hi doctor,I am a 44-year-old female, and I have been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus, and Sjogren's syndrome, with symptoms dating back to as young as six years old. I have also been diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension, thyroiditis, Raynaud disease, right-sided heart enlargemen... Read Full »
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. The diagnosis of asthma is doubtful as pulmonary issues are seen in conditions you are already suffering from like SLE (systemic lupus erythematosus) and rheumatoid arthritis. Basically, the right term for you is MCTD (mixed connective tissue disease), which is ass... Read Full »
Should I do a bone marrow aspiration to find out why my WBC count is low?
Query: Hi doctor, I am 40-year-old female with no symptoms, and in good physical condition. I typically have a blood test every year. I discovered that I had mild leucopenia at 3900/mm since the start of the year, but recently, my blood test has come back at 3600/mm. My differential counts are within the n... Read Full »
Dr. Goswami Parth Rajendragiri
Answer: Hello, Welcome to the icliniq.com, You are having Sjogren's syndrome as per mentioned history. Your leukocyte count is mildly low, which might be due to Sjogren's syndrome. Your peripheral smear examination report is normal and hemoglobin level and platelet count are also within limit. So accor... Read Full »
Is my dry mouth because of my girlfriend's bronchiectasis?
Query: Hello doctor, I have a relationship with a girl, and she has bronchiectasis. She recently did bronchoalveolar lavage to collect the sample from the lungs for testing. The reports were negative for infection and malignancy, but there was an acute inflammation. Is this contagious? And my dentist said ... Read Full »
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. I understand your concern. Her condition is contagious. If it was due to infection, we could say it is spreadable, but if the cause was hereditary or allergic, the chances of spreading are rare. Kindly answer the following questions to help you better; 1) Did you develop... Read Full »
My wife has Sjogren's syndrome and takes Sulfasalazine. Advise.
Query: Hi doctor, My wife has had Sjogren's syndrome and related rheumatoid arthritis for about ten years. She has been experiencing a flare for five months now, which has migrated from her knees to her heel and hands. She is nearing 70. She is currently on tablet Sulfasalazine 500 mg, two in the morning a... Read Full »
Answer: Hi,Welcome to icliniq.com.I can understand your concern.It differs from person to person. Some people have a higher risk, while some do not. But since she has Sjogren's, I would suggest you continue with the same medicine and take precautions for COVID. Even if she stops the medication, there are ch... Read Full »
Does herpes infection cause extreme dryness of mouth?
Query: Hello doctor, I have been struggling now with an issue for about a month. Extreme mouth dryness. Something very new to me. I have never had anything like this before. So sore mouth, sore tongue, and very dry. Is the case that I am short on saliva most definitely. I was recently tested for Diabetes ... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. Dry mouth due to reduced salivary gland secretion. Yes, herpes may be the reason for dryness affecting the glands. Are you under treatment for hypertension? For salivary flow, rinsing your mouth with warm salt water, sucking on sour lemons or sugar-free lemon candy ... Read Full »
Is my extremely dry mouth due to the Botox treatment which I took two months ago?
Query: Hello doctor, I have an extremely dry mouth with no saliva at all. I have been seeing a rheumatologist because I thought the dry mouth was from Sjogren, and so did they. But I just got a lip biopsy which said it is not due to Sjogren. The only thing I can think of is that this all happened about one... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. Thank you for your query. May I please ask you a bit more about your symptoms? Has this been the first episode of dryness? If you think it is related to Botox injection, then how many days following injection did you start feeling dry mouth? What was the reason for ... Read Full »
Can I have lymphoma, kidney diseases, and eye problems due to secondary Sjogren's syndrome?
Query: Hello doctor, I have had dermatomyositis for three years and was asked to take tablet Cellcept. Before being diagnosed with dermatomyositis, I developed dry eye disease due to meibomian gland dysfunction. After taking the medicines, I had dryness in my mouth. I tested negative for anti-SSA Ro and an... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. Do not worry, as you are receiving the best treatment for dermatomyositis. Secondary Sjogren's syndrome is a very common autoimmune disease. Being on tablet Cellcept (Mycophenolate mofetil 500 mg) is more than enough to prevent complications of Sjogren's syndrome. Yo... Read Full »
Can I suffer from hepatitis C even if my hepatitis test reports are negative?
Query: Hello doctor, I recently had a complete lab test with my primary care provider in which my alanine transaminase (ALT) was 60 units per liter. My gamma globulin returned at 3.3 g/dL, and Sjogren's anti-SSA and anti-SSB levels were more than eight units per mL. The rheumatoid factor level was 34.2 IU ... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I doubt you have hepatitis C because the test is negative. It is common to have Sjogren's syndrome with positive anti-SSA (Sjogren's syndrome A), anti-SSB (Sjogren's syndrome B), and rheumatoid factor (RF). It all depends on your symptoms. Do you experience dryness i... Read Full »
I have autoantibodies in my blood and some related specific proteins. What could they indicate?
Query: Hello doctor, I have autoantibodies in my blood and some related specific proteins. I still do not have serious symptoms. I can send my results. Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I went through your post and investigations. There are a few significant results in the autoimmune profile. Your ANA (antinuclear antibody), dsDNA (double-stranded deoxyribonucleic acid), and anti-Ro are positive, which is suggestive of SLE (systemic lupus erythemato... Read Full »
Are dry eyes a sign of Sjogren's syndrome?
Query: Hello doctor, I have been told by someone in the medical profession that I may have Sjogren's syndrome due to the symptoms that I have been having. I would like to know if this could be possible. My symptoms are itching mostly everywhere on my body, very dry skin, dry mouth (a dental professional n... Read Full »
Answer: Hello,Welcome to icliniq.com.Well, as per your symptoms, it does look like Sjogren's syndrome. I want to ask you for a few more details to be sure if it is the diagnosis we are dealing with. How long have you been experiencing the symptoms of dryness? Did the dental surgeon point to any cavities whi... Read Full »