Bigtwin58, I'm afraid the prednisone dose was a bit too aggressive (1)
as a starting dose AND also prednisone may have been contra-indicated (2) in the event that one of the following scenarios is present:
a. classic clinical features of Sjögren syndrome may also be seen in infections with certain viruses.
b. sjogren's is secondary to another rheumatic disease with an infectious
basis.
Prednisone is immunosuppressive, so any underlying infectious agents,
would likely thrive in the body, so you might have been setting yourself up for a health disaster.
For your mouth ulcers, please look into "Oil Pulling" using extra virgin coconut oil. It just might help.
Saliva is part of your immune system.
At the same time the oral cavity has the perfect environment to host pathogenic organisms and toxins, except now there's less protection, so they're left unchecked.
Oil pulling will rid of most of them, however, it must be done one a daily basis. In your case, perhaps 2 x daily.
By doing this you may also prevent sjogren's complications like dental cavities and oral thrush and if you use coconut oil in your cooking (instead of other inflammatory cooking oils) or as a supplement, you can prevent yeast infections, another complication of sjogren's.
Hope this helps, however, please note that my comments do not constitute medical advice.
Best,
Niko
Hi, I am being treated for A-typical Sjorgren's. I used to get horrific mouth sores that felt like they were eating through my cheek along with parotid and salivary glad inflammation. I found all of this greatly improved after I went on Plaquenil about 1 1/2 years ago. I rarely get ulcerations now but when I do I find biosilver spray helps and I have used triamcinalone in an orabase gel that sticks to the ulcers and coats them.
As Niko noted, oil pulling is great, but with 3 small children I can't seem to keep my mouth closed long enough to "pull" it off. Good luck! Sjogren's is wierd and frustrating.