Elaine (NIW58301)  Posted: 07/02/2007 18:59

HI all,it's very interesting to hear all your comments.I have S/S, rheumatoid arthritis, IBS, had my thyroid removed in 2 ops and I'm 53.We moved from England to Ballyfarnon, Co Roscommon last Oct, it is my husband's hometown. I get dry eyes & mouth, have a dry cough, which is worse with air-con, people smoking & cold weather.I get painful joints, acid reflux, which i'm told can aggrevate the cough & get very tired. I take thyroxine and one-alpha,(the parathyroid gland was damaged in my 2nd thyroid op), pariet for acid reflux & an enhaler for the cough & have to use gel-tears 6-7 times a day. I have needed to use it at least 10 times the last 2 wks, now have eye inf & more drops(anitbiotic). My GP checked my cholesterol & it should be 5.2, mine is 6. She told me to change my diet & exercise, if level not reduced after 4mths, to take statin tablets. I don't want anymore tabs, I don't eat fries, or lot of fat. I started going for a walk each day, I'm so tired after. Does anyone know if S/S can cause raised chol? I have found stress makes S//S worse, My daughter had a miscarriage 2wks ago, she was 3mths preg.She was so upset, as was her partner, I went with her to the Hospital in Sligo where she was admitted twice & had to go back 3times for blood tests. I found that so hard to deal with, it seemed to make the S/S symptoms worse. I joined a support grp in England, which was so helpful, we were able to help each other. I wish there was one in Ireland, I would be interested if any of you wanted to meet up, especially if anyone is near my area. Elaine