<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>> Hi all, The summary continues: It is very possible that your friend's diet still contains things like milk or soy sauce or soy products or - who knows what - that have meant that the gluten-free diet was not enough when used without other restrictions. If she is receptive to your help, let her know that an ELISA test might help find the things she should eliminate from her diet. And tell her about MSG and postage stamps and envelope glue - all the tiny details that make a difference. I had a friend who died of Sjogren's disease two years ago and it is a long and sad death. I never could convince my friend that she would be better off if she would restrict her diet. I'm afraid most people will only listen to their doctors, and I really don't know how effective a gluten-free diet is in treating that disease, although I know it is always mentioned as being related to celiac. There are many symptoms like dry eyes and a dry mouth, with brittle bones and stiff joints, that make the disease very hard to live with. Be gentle with your friend, she needs you. **************************************************************************** Reference your note on Enez's eye problem. Could you advise what type eye problem she is having. I am also having eye problems especially this last year as my CD became worse. However on a totally free GF diet I have seen little difference with my eye problem but feel terrific otherwise. **************************************************************************** I am not diagnosed with sjogren's, but noticed all the wet surfaces were not so wet--- increasing the Vitamin A rich foods I eat has helped. I still can't wear my contacts very often, but I am more comfortable. I don't absorb fats right, and loss of fat soluble vitamins seemed like a good guess **************************************************************************** You might tell your friend that it often takes years, not just one month, to get any definitive results from the GF diet intervention. I have diagnosed CD and probably Sjogren's (not diagnosed but I have alot of the symptoms) and it has taken me over 5 years of searching and various treatments for related conditions to get well. I am not sure that I will ever be l00% well again, since I had undiagnosed CD and untreated hypothyroidism for 25 years before I figured out the causative reasons for my poor health. During all those years, the wreckage to the body can often be irreparable. But one can get well enough to function and have a normal life again; persistence and determination saved me! **************************************************************************** Please forward to your friend that although celiac disease and sjogren's disease may be correlated, going on the gluten free diet will NOT correct the dry eyes. I have the same two conditions and I do follow the diet strictly. The dry eyes still exist because the "dry eyes" symptom is sjogren's and is not directly a part of celiac disease. They are two separate (although sometimes correlated) diseases. Please do not give her false hope that this will change. Placing this expectation on her will only create guilt and frustration with the diet. **************************************************************************** If your friend wants to communicate please give her my email. I suggest she joins a Sjogren's support group. She must treat all the symptoms and be regular and consistent. As I was not diagnosed until April this year and was having dreadful teeth problems it was not until I had had three molars removed due to infections in the roots that we realized it was the "dry mouth" problem causing the infection. As well, I had dreadful problems with my eyes. I thought I was a hypochondriac seeking a new disease and symptom for each day. My nose was drying out of a night and I was breathing through my mouth - this just increased the dry mouth problem. I now use a saline spray 10 or so times a day - whenever I think of it. As well I lubricate the nostrils with a small smear of lanolin. **************************************************************************** I wanted to tell you as an old retired MD with many similar exasperating experiences, that I think you handled it very well. You do what you can and then withdraw from the field and wait until the next time. It will come. One can not inflict health on a person against her will. From your (the doctor's) point of view, the "need to cure" can be vexing. Good luck with your friend- maybe she will see and maybe she won't. I think the reason this list is so faithful is that it is composed of people who have been willing to surrender to a new concept and who have grown in the process- in other words, you and the others have grown into superior people not just by curing yourself of a disorder, but by surrendering the many joys and pleasures you have had to give up in order to do so. Thank you again for all the responses. I have learned a lot and I know that Enez will too! All the best, Susan PS I didn't include Vance's comprehensive celiac summary but I have printed it out for Enez. Much appreciated!