My life with Sjögren’s disease

I first noticed something was off in my early twenties. It started with little things, a dry mouth that made coffee taste strange, my eyes feeling gritty and tired, and a fatigue I chalked up to long workdays and late nights. I ignored it for years, telling myself it was just stress or getting older.

By my late twenties, the symptoms had slowly multiplied. I found myself constantly battling joint aches that made climbing stairs exhausting, and fatigue that sleep did not fix. My eyes burned and waterless mornings became routine. I felt like my body was slowly betraying me, but every doctor I saw seemed to shrug it off as minor or unrelated.

It was not until I developed persistent dry coughs and shortness of breath during exercise that someone suggested I might have an autoimmune condition. A referral to a rheumatologist changed everything. After months of tests, I finally received the diagnosis, Sjögren’s.

Hearing the name brought relief and fear in equal measure. Relief, because there was finally an explanation for the years of niggling symptoms that no one took seriously. Fear, because I now had to face the reality that this was a systemic disease that could affect more than my eyes and mouth. It could impact my lungs, joints, and energy for years to come.

Since diagnosis, I have learned to pay closer attention to my body. I have started pacing myself, prioritising rest, and seeking out specialists when new symptoms appear. Some days are good. Others are challenging. I finally feel heard and understood.

Living with Sjögren’s has taught me resilience and patience. It is a constant reminder that autoimmune conditions do not always appear in dramatic, obvious ways. Sometimes they start as small, niggling symptoms that gradually grow until they cannot be ignored. For anyone experiencing unexplained fatigue, dryness, or pain, trust your instincts and seek help. You deserve answers.



Sjögren’s is more than dry eyes and mouth. It is a complex systemic condition that affects daily life in ways most people do not see. Sharing my story is my way of saying you are not alone and early recognition can make all the difference.