Well! It’s the end of another week and I’m not sure how it’s also the middle of August. How’s that? My precious niece started Kindergarten yesterday. I’m a proud Auntie who can’t get over the passage of time. The kid’s going to graduate from high school, like, tomorrow, for chrissake.

In Sjögren’s syndrome news – seems to be all medical all the time up in here as of late – I went to see my rheumatologist today, and she’s starting me back up on both Methotrexate and Salagen. I’ve been on and off of these meds over the years; while I’m not a fan of their side effects, they do help. I’ll not complain. My one constant medication, Plaquenil (Hydroxychloroquine), doesn’t bother me at all. Additionally, new eye drops arrived in the mail this week, courtesy of my eye doctor after a recent exam.

That completes my current Sjögren’s syndrome pharmaceutical arsenal: Plaquenil, Methotrexate, folic acid (necessary with MTX), Salagen, and Refresh Liquigel eye drops. We’ll see how they (the latter) work.

And food! I figured I’d give a nod to the natural side of things, as I’m wont to do, and so I’ve been researching foods that cause inflammation in the body. Many autoimmune diseases, including mine, involve inflammation, so might as well learn about them, thought I. The list of pro-inflammatory foods is alarming, but I’ll not be intimidated. An anti-inflammatory diet is a plant-based diet, so I’m a step ahead. It’s just a matter of getting into the details. Which foods to avoid. Which ones are particularly good. Etcetera.

Charlotte the Lung has been behaving, so that’s brilliant. I’m scheduled to meet with my pulmonologist in a few weeks. He suggested that a new medication for Charlotte might be a possibility.

It all comes down to what’s in the stars, as usual.

Here’s today’s quick selfie snappity-snap:

That’s it for this week’s medical updates, friends, for anyone who may be interested.

The absolute best change I’ve made this year has been my return to a regular workout schedule. I’m overdue for a fitness updates post, so keep on the lookout for that!

In the words of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Thank you and Good Night.