For your information-sjorngren's syndrome

I have had diabetes type 2 for about 5 years.  You are all aware of the symptoms.

Just lately, I have had a large swelling in my cheek/jaw.  My primary care doctor sent me to a ear/nose/throat doctor.  Before I saw him, I had to have a CT Scan of my throat and head. (I have had two brain surgeries 9 years ago because of a benign menginoma, please excuse spelling).  This came back showing no cancer.  Good News!  I saw the specialist then.  After examining me, he said he thought I had a disease called Sjorngren's syndrome.  Never heard of it.  It is when your saliva glands stop working and the gland in my cheek was what was swelling.  He said there were three types and sent me for a blood test to see what type I had.  I go back on Feb. 13, to find out.  What I'm getting to are the symptoms. Dry mouth, my doctor said it was due to my diabetes med, being tired, nervous, my arthritis had gotten worse, thirsty all the time, hot flashes or flushes, my thyroid started giving off low levels.  As you can see, I had a lot of symptoms that I and my doctor were thinking as "the diabetes caused it."  I went online to find out about Sjorngren's (Sjorgren) and the symptoms are the same with depression, lupus, osteoarthristis (a rhemutogist sometimes suspects it before a MD), dementia, mouth sores, low immune system, (it is an autoimmune disease)

and mouth and throat cancer.  It is also hereditary.  Also, affects 90% women over men.  I knew my brother had had throat cancer, but not what type.  I had a chance to ask him.  It was cancer of the saliva glands in his throat, malignant, and they removed his glands, and he had to take chemo. 

What I wanted to post was a suggestion that maybe what you thing of as "just another Diabetic symptom' might be leading to something else like Sjorngren's and can be checked out by a blood test.  There is a pill that you can take, (I know I think I'm on too many now) But there is no cure.  The specialist said to start drinking plenty of water, use dry eye drops, nasal saline spray, dry mouth gum, toothpaste, special candies to get moisture in your mouth.

If anyone has more information please let me know or you can find it online.  Thank you.