What helps with dry mouth with Sjogren's?

Posted by bonnies1999 @bonnies1999, Jan 9 1:32pm

My 54 yr old son was just diagnosed with Sojourns disease
Extremely fatigued, very dry mouth, joints ache
Nothing help. Any suggestions?

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Profile picture for fairn @fairn

@jw9 Oh, he is! Sorry if that wasn't clear. He's saying I have Sjogren's and has me on Hydroxychloroquine.

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@fairn
I thought I read that you had no positive bloodwork, but do have Sjogrens. I reread and see what I missed! Thanks for taking a minute to reconnect about that post.

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Profile picture for justrosie @justrosie

I started pilocarpine tablets 5g three a day about a month ago. Going to keep taking it a couple more months, but so far, I don't really see any difference or improvement at all. Right now, I'm on Vevye for dry eyes and also am using blood serum eyedrops. That is helping somewhat.

But the worst of all my Sjogren's (which, after complaining about to doctors for 12 years, FINALLY got diagnosed!) is the dry dry dry nasal passages/sinuses. Man! So dry that the normal mucus just stays up there in clumps making it hard to breathe -- especially when I'm trying to sleep. 🙁

An ENT a few years ago prescribed mupirocin ointment. In a strange way. He said to squirt about a third of the tube into a bottle of saline solution that you buy at the store and shake it up. Then squirt it up my nose at least once a day. AND IT WORKED! However, I learned later (this was during the pandemic, so we were on our own a lot ... it seemed) that it's not supposed to be used forever, and I had used it for FOUR YEARS! I didn't know and the ENT didn't say anything about how long to use it. Oh, well. But when I stopped, all the problems with my nasal stuff came right back.

I really don't know what to do. I'm miserable. I started using a humidifier in my bedroom at night and will continue at least through the winter months. I also use Xlear sinus spray, which is nice, but doesn't last long.

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@justrosie

Hi, I have CVID-Common Variable Immune Deficiency- I get anywhere from 6-8 sinus infections a year! I'm on subcutaneous infusions weekly now, so I am doing better, I get around 3-4 now a year, which is better. I see a Rhinologist here at Cleveland Clinic, she is wonderful, a specialist in the ENT field. She has me doing a sinus rinse daily- the netti pot or navage or the squeeze bottle and then after that I use Ayr Nasal Gel on a qtip and then I gently put it in my nose and apply the gel inside my nose and I do the gel 2 x daily. She did prescribe me the Mupirocin first and told me to use it 2 times a day for 2 weeks on the qtip and apply it to inside of my nose. My nose is very dry, the key is to keep it moist! I thought I had Sjorjen's and went to Rheumatologist and she said No, I don't have it. I also have Hashimoto's too. The navage is great, a lot of cleaning the supplies afterwards. I prefer the netti pot, is my favorite with Xlear solution that I purchase online-it doesn't burn my nose like the normal solution powder. Try using a netti pot, navage or the squeeze bottle daily to rinse your nose out. The Ayr gel is over the counter, so you can go buy that at a pharmacy or grocery store. It comes in a tube. I have the Xlear nose spray too, Dr. prescribed me flonase which I use also- I'm using both. I have an air purifier and it really helps, I got a medical grade one-Austin Air- pricey but it is worth it. Make sure you are cleaning out your humidifier, so mold doesn't grow. Switch to another ENT Dr, request for a CT scan if you continue to have problems, go to a Functional Medicine Dr to request for food testing/allergy or intolerance and get allergy testing at regular allergy Dr, both are needed, as you get 2 different results back. I am gluten free, dairy free and now egg/soy free. Look for a Rhinologist, specialist, if you can find one in your area. What are you allergic to? I'm allergic to a lot outdoors-trees, grass, mold, pollen, ragweed. I wear a mask when I am outdoors now, and it has helped tremendously. If you are like me, then I would suggest the mask. Hope this helps you out! Hope you feel better!

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Profile picture for harryboy7 @harryboy7

I have Sjogrens and autoimmune issues. My mouth is getting more dry than ever. Night time is the WORSE. I have tried everything in the book. I know there is a medication that can help when all else fails.I am wondering if anyone has tried it, and if so what did they think. Thanks

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Sharon, I think Migraineelaine meant that it stinged her tongue, I am guessing. It might have been a typo.

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Profile picture for harryboy7 @harryboy7

I have Sjogrens and autoimmune issues. My mouth is getting more dry than ever. Night time is the WORSE. I have tried everything in the book. I know there is a medication that can help when all else fails.I am wondering if anyone has tried it, and if so what did they think. Thanks

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The Rheumatologist I saw prescribed me Pilocarpine-10 mg and it helps some, doesn't totally take it away. Yes, dry mouth makes swallowing difficult and talking difficult. I have had all kinds of tests -throat specialist looked at my throat, swallowing test, gastric emptying test, and everything comes back normal. My next stop is ENT Dr. to see if ENT Dr can do any other types of tests or procedures to explore my throat. Has anyone had any experience with the ENT DR and getting any type of procedure or test about your throat? If so, what did you have done and what were your results from the ENT Dr? I have CVID and Hashimoto's Disease and a thyroid nodule. I am seeing a Speech Therapist for my throat/swallowing issues and I have exercises to do. It is very frustrating and I do use Biotene mouthwash and it helps some too. I drink a lot of water during the day, as I am very thirsty too. Thanks!

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Profile picture for animallover25 @animallover25

@justrosie

Hi, I have CVID-Common Variable Immune Deficiency- I get anywhere from 6-8 sinus infections a year! I'm on subcutaneous infusions weekly now, so I am doing better, I get around 3-4 now a year, which is better. I see a Rhinologist here at Cleveland Clinic, she is wonderful, a specialist in the ENT field. She has me doing a sinus rinse daily- the netti pot or navage or the squeeze bottle and then after that I use Ayr Nasal Gel on a qtip and then I gently put it in my nose and apply the gel inside my nose and I do the gel 2 x daily. She did prescribe me the Mupirocin first and told me to use it 2 times a day for 2 weeks on the qtip and apply it to inside of my nose. My nose is very dry, the key is to keep it moist! I thought I had Sjorjen's and went to Rheumatologist and she said No, I don't have it. I also have Hashimoto's too. The navage is great, a lot of cleaning the supplies afterwards. I prefer the netti pot, is my favorite with Xlear solution that I purchase online-it doesn't burn my nose like the normal solution powder. Try using a netti pot, navage or the squeeze bottle daily to rinse your nose out. The Ayr gel is over the counter, so you can go buy that at a pharmacy or grocery store. It comes in a tube. I have the Xlear nose spray too, Dr. prescribed me flonase which I use also- I'm using both. I have an air purifier and it really helps, I got a medical grade one-Austin Air- pricey but it is worth it. Make sure you are cleaning out your humidifier, so mold doesn't grow. Switch to another ENT Dr, request for a CT scan if you continue to have problems, go to a Functional Medicine Dr to request for food testing/allergy or intolerance and get allergy testing at regular allergy Dr, both are needed, as you get 2 different results back. I am gluten free, dairy free and now egg/soy free. Look for a Rhinologist, specialist, if you can find one in your area. What are you allergic to? I'm allergic to a lot outdoors-trees, grass, mold, pollen, ragweed. I wear a mask when I am outdoors now, and it has helped tremendously. If you are like me, then I would suggest the mask. Hope this helps you out! Hope you feel better!

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@animallover25 Thanks for all the info! I appreciate it. I really do need to find a good ENT. I don't really trust the one who prescribed the mupirocin so haphazardly. Also, when I went to him because of a salivary gland infection (I had no idea that's what it was but it was SO painful!), he did treat that with antibiotics and it went away, but he also said there was no use in doing any tests because there's no cure. Well, yeah, but when I thought about that later, I thought, there's got to be some treatments that would at least make me feel a little better. He offered absolutely nothing but drinking fluids and applying heat.

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Profile picture for fairn @fairn

@kellen I had positive ANA and CCP along with some low blood counts. My rheumatologist did an 'Early Sjogren's Profile Panel ' on me because I have all the symptoms of Sjogren's but don't test positive on the traditional anti-SSA, SSB tests, which according to him often won't be positive until there is advanced damage. The early panel was developed to help with an earlier diagnosis, but it's not relied on for an official diagnosis of Sjogren's. My rheumatologist has been great in that he is more concerned with treating the symptoms and inflammation and is quick to acknowledge that the tests aren't always able to detect the antibodies. Sjogren's is a tough one to diagnose apparently.

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@fairn Hi, all my test came back with positive results for Sleraderma, Sjögren's, lupus was on the low numbers thank god! I have Raynouds disease as well. Another test showed positive 2 times for antiphospholipid syndrome and I've had many mild ischemic strokes as well. I really think you need a new dr. And retesting. Just my opinion.. Good luck these issues are no joke.

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Profile picture for harryboy7 @harryboy7

I have Sjogrens and autoimmune issues. My mouth is getting more dry than ever. Night time is the WORSE. I have tried everything in the book. I know there is a medication that can help when all else fails.I am wondering if anyone has tried it, and if so what did they think. Thanks

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For dry mouth I use Rx pilocarpine three times a day.
For overnight relief I use Xilimelts…they last up to 6 hours.
Both have been a game changer for me!

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Profile picture for justrosie @justrosie

@animallover25 Thanks for all the info! I appreciate it. I really do need to find a good ENT. I don't really trust the one who prescribed the mupirocin so haphazardly. Also, when I went to him because of a salivary gland infection (I had no idea that's what it was but it was SO painful!), he did treat that with antibiotics and it went away, but he also said there was no use in doing any tests because there's no cure. Well, yeah, but when I thought about that later, I thought, there's got to be some treatments that would at least make me feel a little better. He offered absolutely nothing but drinking fluids and applying heat.

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@justrosie CONSIDER GETTING A SECOND OPINION.

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Profile picture for harryboy7 @harryboy7

I have Sjogrens and autoimmune issues. My mouth is getting more dry than ever. Night time is the WORSE. I have tried everything in the book. I know there is a medication that can help when all else fails.I am wondering if anyone has tried it, and if so what did they think. Thanks

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Biotene dry mouth products are helpful. There are prescription meds but I haven't tried any.

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Profile picture for harryboy7 @harryboy7

I have Sjogrens and autoimmune issues. My mouth is getting more dry than ever. Night time is the WORSE. I have tried everything in the book. I know there is a medication that can help when all else fails.I am wondering if anyone has tried it, and if so what did they think. Thanks

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I use Xylomelts at night, 2 of them. It works for me 90% of the time. I tried Pilocarpine but I couldn't handle the side effects. Looking for a prescription med for use during the day. I use mints and drink 8 glasses of water a day.

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