--- title: "Faces of Sjogren's: Renee" description: Faces of Sjogren's --- [![Sjogrens](https://info.sjogrens.org/hs-fs/file-1607078412-gif/Sjogrens_Image/ssf_logo.gif)](http://www.sjogrens.org/) YOUR CREDIBLE SJÖGREN'S RESOURCE - [Home](http://www.sjogrens.org/home) - [Login/Register](http://www.sjogrens.org/home/member-community) - [SSF Store](http://www.sjogrens.org/ssfstore) - [Contact us](http://www.sjogrens.org/home/about-the-foundation/contact-us) # Faces of Sjogren's: Renee's Journey **![describe the image](https://info.sjogrens.org/hs-fs/file-27820925-jpg/images/renee_2011.jpg)When I was diagnosed with Sjögren's, my first thought was…** **"Thank God for the diagnosis!"** I didn’t want to be sick, but it validated that I was "not going crazy." The doctors started looking at me as if I was imagining symptoms. I stopped going to the doctor and suffered in silence. Then I got angry and decided to try one more time. I told one doctor that I felt like a big sponge was shoved up the center of my body and was sucking all the moister out of me. My white blood count was dangerously low. I was sent to several doctors for all types of tests including a bone marrow biopsy. They all came back negative. I had skin problems, dry mouth/eyes, insomnia, fatigue, brain fog and female problems.  This also probably contributed to my heart slowing down and my having to get a pacemaker the year before. The rheumatoid doctor called me February 15, 2010, with my diagnosis. My advice is to never give up.  I shed tears of frustration and fear that I would never get relief.  No one ever saw this side of me because I kept it hidden. No one saw the pain that I was in with my joints and muscles. I dealt with it by researching and understanding the disease. I joined a [support group](http://www.sjogrens.org/home/get-connected/support-groups/us-support-groups) and the YMCA and started eating better. Find out what benefits you such as water aerobics, dancing, and cardio exercises. What an ongoing journey! - Renee   [Click Here to view more Faces of Sjögren's stories ](http://www.sjogrens.org/home/get-connected/faces-of-sjogrens) ### Follow Me © 2021 Sjögren’s Foundation 10701 Parkridge Blvd. Suite 170, Reston, VA  20191 [(Privacy Policy)](http://www.sjogrens.org/privacy-policy)   (301) 530-4420 · 301 530-4415 (Fax)