Help for Sjögren syndrome
Donation protected
I'd like to share a story about my good friend Judy Falcone.
"In December of 2017 I was having discomfort with my mouth, throat and eyes; all things essential for living day to day. When I went to the dentist, he said that I should see a rheumatologist because he felt I had an auto immune disorder called Sjögren Syndrome. This auto immune disease attacks the fluid glands, eyes, joint, mouth and kidneys. There is not exactly a cause for this disorder either.
After numerous tests I was diagnosed with this disorder. My journey after this news was to start as a patient of Penn Medicine's research department. They put me on several different medications to see if it would improve my saliva issue. After 9 months there was no success, but many side effects followed. I immediately stopped all the medicine. I was heartbroken.
Soon, my teeth started coming loose and needed to be removed. I could no longer smile in pictures or show my full happiness to those around me. Dentures cannot be used with Sjögrens due to damaging the deteriorated gums. With a lack of saliva, the adhesive won't hold and when it does, it becomes hard like crazy glue. This makes your gums raw and blister and makes the saliva problem even worse.
The only answer left was implants. Implants are more effective with the teeth being directly on the gums. With no adhesive used, the lack of saliva is a little less problematic.
Medical Insurance will not cover these implants and I have appealed and been declined twice. I have run out of options. My friend Greg Eger turned to GoFundMe in hopes to help me afford the implants that I need to bring my smile back after all this time."
"In December of 2017 I was having discomfort with my mouth, throat and eyes; all things essential for living day to day. When I went to the dentist, he said that I should see a rheumatologist because he felt I had an auto immune disorder called Sjögren Syndrome. This auto immune disease attacks the fluid glands, eyes, joint, mouth and kidneys. There is not exactly a cause for this disorder either.
After numerous tests I was diagnosed with this disorder. My journey after this news was to start as a patient of Penn Medicine's research department. They put me on several different medications to see if it would improve my saliva issue. After 9 months there was no success, but many side effects followed. I immediately stopped all the medicine. I was heartbroken.
Soon, my teeth started coming loose and needed to be removed. I could no longer smile in pictures or show my full happiness to those around me. Dentures cannot be used with Sjögrens due to damaging the deteriorated gums. With a lack of saliva, the adhesive won't hold and when it does, it becomes hard like crazy glue. This makes your gums raw and blister and makes the saliva problem even worse.
The only answer left was implants. Implants are more effective with the teeth being directly on the gums. With no adhesive used, the lack of saliva is a little less problematic.
Medical Insurance will not cover these implants and I have appealed and been declined twice. I have run out of options. My friend Greg Eger turned to GoFundMe in hopes to help me afford the implants that I need to bring my smile back after all this time."
Organizer and beneficiary
Greg Eger
Organizer
Berwyn, PA
Judith Falcone
Beneficiary