Hello all,

Hope you are having a pain free Sunday! I have a question: My urologist put me on a med that really causes dry mouth. I mean, most of my meds list dry mouth as a side effect and I've never had too much of a problem. But this one is terrible. Any helpful hints from my fellow CP'ers?

nancyh

Hi Nancy,
I can't offer you any help for I have the opposite problem. ha I over flow with saliva. Both sides of my mouth are sore from it tonight. I don't remember any of my meds making me get this way. I don't want to take anymore. Maybe you got that way from the funny e-mail I sent you. I think Gaye wrote that.It sounds just like her.

Sorry, I know it isn't funny cause of my problem too! Maybe someone will come along and help you.
Blessings,
Billie

Dry mouth is a very common problem for us druggies Many on OBT suggested Biotene (pretty sure of that name) toothpaste and mouthwash. It is made specifically for that. You might even call your dentist, as dry mouth is the worst for oral problems. It really escalates tooth decay.

I get dry mouth also, but find myself drooling out of the side of my mouth that is on pillow. Drives me batty. I've never drooled before. The worst for me is the morning feel and taste. Sometimes when I don't sleep well, I get up and brush my mouth in middle of the night.

Don't let dry mouth go!

I have no idea how you live in that climate. I'd be dry in a lot more places than my mouth

I have had success with Biotene products (toothpaste, mouthwash, oral gel, gum), and I also like the Oasis oral mist because you can carry it anywhere and it looks just like regular breath spray, but it really helps dry mouth (and it's minty too).

Nancy, I have dry mouth but only when I lay down for bed at night. The dryness is horrible sometimes and the roof of the mouth is so dry my tongue literally will stick to it. I have tried numerous tooth pastes, drinking water thru out the night, and nothing seems to work.

At least you are fairly certain a medicine is causing it, I have no idea on mine. I also have dry eyes during the night only.

I have been tested for lupus and other autoimmune diseases and my family MD had come up with no dx for it. The only blood abnormality I have is high iron.

I sometimes wonder if it is a food allergy, like maybe something like Saccharin, since I seldom have used regular sugar in years. But even when I used "Equal" sugar substitute, which I believe has no Saccharin, I still had dry mouth and eyes.

There are times when it does just the reverse, but that is rare, when the saliva just will not stop at night............

Sorry, no answers, just more questions.

Jyes

There is a prescription drug for this condition but I can't think of the name. After I had botox injections in my neck, my mouth became so sore from being dry that it began to blister.
The pills helped a lot. I'll try look it up but may be had to do since I don't know the name.

Maybe Jim could help.
Maggie

Hey Nance~
I use sugar-free AquaDrops along with Biotene gum.

One side effect of dry mouth is dental problems. I had three crowns replaced two years ago (with root canals) and they are going bad. Can you say MONEY?? My dentist tells me it can't be happening. SOMETHING is going on.....

I reread my Mayo records and found that "Sicca Complex could not be ruled out" a year and a half ago. One symptom is dry mouth. When I questioned my Internist about this last week, he said it was "a good pick up", and that "my Neuro should have ruled it out." That's why we pay them the big bucks folks....

Sorry for getting off track. I guess I just wanted to tell you my experience in case you wanted to ask if the blood test had been done to rule it out for you.

Hugs,
Jan

Really listen to what people are telling you about oral problems that come with dry mouth. A lot of times, with dry mouth comes acid reflux. That biotin stuff did not help me at all, but Prevacit helped with the acid usually. But, in regards to the mouth, in six months time, the enamel was worn out on my teeth, and I only had about 6 teeth that were above the gum line. Now I have one pin like protrusion, front bottom jaw. So embarrassing! Yes, they broke off. I hope you have insurance for dental. Make sure you have your dentist check your teeth enamel from time to time.

sally

To All;

Thanks for all the input and suggestions. I took to heart what you said and I fixed my problem! I stopped taking the med.

Sometimes you have to weigh the original problem against the side effects of the med and make a decision. In this case, the dry mouth was effecting my sleep. Since I MUST try to have a productive night's sleep to keep my fibro and pain under control, I try to eliminate any, "Sleep Attackers"! So I will tinkle more but sleep better. Decision made.

Thanks all!
Nancy