Living with Sjogren's Syndrome

April is Sjogren's Awareness Month. At the beginning of the month we explored The Entire Sjogren's Experience, today we speak with Pat Early, who has been living with Sjogren's for years. Her experience will leave you wondering why, after all this time, Sjogren's is still not a first or even fifth thought in making a differential diagnosis.

Patricia Early, is 56 years old and live in southeastern PA.  She was diagnosed with Sjögren’s around age 35.  Early has a few medical issues that stem from my Sjögren’s, as well.  When diagnosed, the internet wasn’t as common (1992) and the only information she could find was in medical books and there was little of it.  Her rheumatologist knew nothing and because of that she didn’t get treatment for over ten years, years that she wishes she could get back.   At age 47 Pat was forced to stop working.  "I think if treatment had started right away, perhaps I’d still be in the classroom.  This is my biggest sore point with my disease."

Host: Shirley Gutkowski
Producer: Shirley Gutkowski