Dry Eyes, Cracked Feet, and Coconut Oil: The Real Talk Sjogren’s Survival Guide You Didn’t Know You Needed

“When you hear someone describe their body as a ‘dog zoo,’ their feet as a ‘desert scene in a Hollywood movie,’ and their eye drops as giving them an ‘eyegasm,’ you know you’re in for an honest, refreshing ride.” – Courtney Whitney, Sjogren’s Girls’ Guide

On the Invisible Strength Podcast, we had the absolute joy of talking to Courtney Whitney, the voice behind Sjogren’s Girl’s Guide—a social page packed with unfiltered humor, life hacks, and powerful validation for anyone managing chronic illness.

She’s a full-time aerospace professional, mom of two, dog fosterer, and self-proclaimed “domestically challenged” warrior navigating life with Sjogren’s.

Her story?

It started with 31 years of mystery symptoms and ended with a diagnosis that changed everything.

“I Was Right the Whole Time”

Courtney’s health issues began as early as age three—nosebleeds, bizarre rashes, UTIs, tonsil trouble, skin issues, and more.

Over the years, she was tossed between doctors and specialists, each one treating symptoms without finding a cause. She spent decades feeling like no one was putting the pieces together.

At 31, after years of persistent vaginal pain, chronic fatigue, and a carousel of medications, she finally met an OB who looked beyond the surface.

This doctor asked lifestyle questions, reviewed Courtney’s medical history in-depth, and finally gave her the diagnosis she had waited her whole life for: Sjogren’s Syndrome.

“Time just stopped. The last 30 years of my life suddenly made sense.”

A Real-Life Guide to Managing Sjogren’s

After diagnosis, Courtney didn’t walk out of the doctor’s office with a stack of prescriptions—she walked out with a plan.

Her doctor focused on gut health, reducing dryness, and using simple, effective tools like coconut oil and baking soda soaks (goodbye 12 vaginal prescriptions!).

Courtney started feeling better—quickly.

Today, she’s thriving thanks to her commitment to trial and error, a supportive community, and some incredible survival strategies she shares openly.

🔥 Her Go-To Hacks:

1. Dry Eyes: Keep eye gels in the fridge, moisturize eyelids with a steam sprayer, and use heat masks at night. (Yes, eyegasms are real.)
   
2. Dry Mouth: Flavored water, Biotene products, and oil pulling with coconut oil—gross but worth it.
   
3. Cracked Skin: Neutrogena in-shower body oil and moisturizing gel socks (“skip the Saran wrap!”).
   
4. Vaginal Dryness: Coconut oil, baking soda soaks, and dual probiotics (Florajen + Seed).

Her Mental Health Anchors

• Embracing the “So What” Mindset: So what if someone is uncomfortable with her putting in eye drops? So what if she’s not gluten-free yet? Progress over perfection.
  
• Getting Real with Her Kids: Instead of shielding them from her condition, Courtney invites them into the conversation. Now they know when she’s having a high pain day and understand why Disney might not be on the calendar.
  “We’re not going to Disney because you don’t deserve it. We’re doing this because of mom’s health. And we’re going to make the best of this.”
  
• Reimagining Family Joy: From water balloon fights at home to cuddling in a giant dog bed for movie marathons, Courtney redefines what family fun looks like.
  

From Patient to Community Leader

When her trusted doctor retired, Courtney felt lost. So she built what she wished existed—a place where real people could share real hacks. That’s how Sjogren’s Girl’s Guide was born.

Today, she’s creating content, sharing product picks, and celebrating even the tiniest victories with others who “get it.”

As she says:

“If I can save someone even one round of trial and error, that means everything.”

🎧 Want More?

You can listen to the full conversation with Courtney on the Invisible Strength Podcast, available now.

🎧 Listen now on Apple Podcasts: Invisible Strength Podcast – Living with Sjogren’s
📺 Watch on YouTube: Courtney Whitney, Sjogren’s Girl’s Guide on Invisible Strength

Hear all her hilarious and heartfelt tips for traveling with Sjogren’s, building sustainable routines, and surviving a full-time job with a full-time condition.

👉 Or search “Invisible Strength Podcast” on your favorite platform and find the episode with Courtney Whitney, Sjogren’s Girls Guide.

Dance on, friends,
Karin

P.S. If you live with an autoimmune condition or love someone who does, know this: You’re not alone.

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