Helping patients advocate for timely diagnosis
and comprehensive care of Sjogren's (SHOW-grins),
a common, serious, systemic disease. ​​​​​​​​​​
SJOGREN'S ADVOCATE ​
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Presents the realities of Sjogren’s disease backed up by citations from up-to-date scientific sources​
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Counters MYTHS ABOUT SJOGREN'S
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Counters MYTHS ABOUT DIAGNOSIS
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Provides tools and strategies to help you ​advocate for the care you need. ​​
WHERE TO START
​​HOW TO USE SJOGREN'S ADVOCATE
Sjogren's Advocate is an ever-evolving book in website format with more than 100 pages and blog posts. Learn how to use the features on the website to find the information you need.​
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)
This page directs you to key pages and posts on Sjogren's Advocate that answer your questions quickly and easily. ​
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ABOUT SJOGREN’S
This section tells you what Sjogren's IS and what Sjogren's is NOT.
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DIAGNOSIS
No single test rules Sjogren's in or out. Learn the uses and limitations of various tests and how to overcome the many barriers to diagnosis.
SJOGREN’S CARE
Learn why every Sjogren's patient, regardless of symptoms or antibody status, should be monitored for a wide range of systemic manifestations.
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SELF-ADVOCACY
Find tools, strategies, and science-backed information that you can use to advocate for the care you need and deserve.
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RESOURCES
Sjogren’s can take a significant toll on your physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing.
Find support here.
Meet Dr. Sarah Schafer, MD,
founder of Sjogren's Advocate
and a medical doctor living with Sjogren's disease.
I understand the struggle of living with, and trying to get care for, Sjogren's.
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My long journey to diagnosis exemplifies the critical gap between the devastating reality of Sjogren’s disease and how doctors understand the condition,
a system-wide failure rooted in inadequate Sjogren’s training.
Despite being a medical doctor myself, I faced the same dismissive comments and lack of concern that are described by so many Sjogren’s patients. This experience fueled my passion to help other patients navigate the healthcare system and advocate for the comprehensive care they need and deserve.​​
The information on Sjogren's Advocate is grounded in evidence-based research, my 10 years of experience as a Sjogren's medical educator, volunteer on three Sjogren's Foundation clinical practice guideline projects, and 23 years as an active member of the Sjogren's community.
Learn more about me and my mission to be a voice for people with Sjogren's.
Meet Dr. Bexi Lobo, PhD,
my assistant at Sjogren's Advocate,
and a scientist and editor living with Sjogren's disease.
I rely on Bexi’s support to keep Sjogren’s Advocate online and thriving.
She is someone I trust deeply, and her skills and dedication make this entire website possible.
​Bexi takes a huge load off my shoulders. Her assistance frees me to focus on researching and creating the high-quality content that helps you advocate for the comprehensive care you need and deserve. She expertly handles time-consuming tasks that are essential to building, editing and publishing Sjogren’s Advocate. Importantly, Bexi has been a lifeline, fixing complex technical problems that I don’t have the time or the skills to deal with.
As both a scientist and a skilled editor, Bexi translates complicated medical and scientific concepts into clear, accurate, and easy-to-understand language. Her perspective as a Sjogren’s patient guides everything we publish, ensuring our content speaks directly to your real-life concerns and needs.
Your donations to Bexi’s GoFundMe campaign are critical to keeping Sjogren’s Advocate online. If you can donate, please click the yellow button and give what you can comfortably give to support her work.
Thank you for your much appreciated contribution.
PLEASE NOTE
Sjogren's Advocate is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.
Please DO NOT email me to ask for advice, opinions, feedback, practical tips, or referrals regarding personal medical care.
For this kind of support, please join the Sjogren's Smart Patients online group
and/or a local Sjogren's patient support group.
The information on Sjogren's Advocate may not be used for commercial purposes
without prior permission from Dr. Sarah Schafer.
Read DISCLAIMERS for all the details.
Updated 10-25-2025