Dry mouth and bitter taste

Try chewing gum. That's supposed to help produce saliva. Sorry if duplicitous, but don't want to read the whole thread.

@neisie13 pilocarpine?

@synthiame My blood work finally showed a Sjogren's diagnosis after many years of symptoms. I have had an endoscopy twice but that last one was years ago. It just showed some reflux but I am going back to the gastroenterologist to ask about the stretching. Yesterday I choked on a piece of lettuce so it's something else I have to cut up in tiny pieces and my episodes are getting worse. Another doctor's appointment....ugh. Thanks for your response.

@synthiame Gum actually works the best for me. I've tried Pilocarpine and Cevimeline but neither lasted very long and my insurance doesn't cover either one. Gum with Xylitol like Trident really creates a lot of saliva in my case so I buy it in bulk!!!!

@bajjerfan sugar free hard candy too always sugar free

@synthiame Please update us once you have seen the oral specialist in Boston. I'm sure we are all so curious to know if there are any treatments for this miserable condition. At first I thought I was the only one who had it since non of my doctors and even my dentist had ever had a patient with it, only than just those with a metallic taste. I just don't know if it's a saliva issue or a neurological issue. Good luck in Boston!!!

@neisie13 HI I see a neurologist for migraines. I told him my story and he ordered a brain activity scan (normal) and a MRI Brain scan this Friday. I dont think its neurological but i am grateful that he is trying on his end. I have researched and tried everything plus script pilocarpine which helps. I am starting a new Oral Probiotic that you let melt in your mouth that is suppose to help get rid of the bad bacteria and support good bacteria. It balances you out. It's affordable and I'm trying everything. I think bc I have Sjogren's Disease I will have this all my life . It's the white tongue🤔/salty/metalic taste that bothers me the most. Is your tongue look normal?

@synthiame Hi, I'm not sure if I told you that I also see a neurologist. I was waking up with a headache every single morning at around 5 a.m. The only thing that has helped is when I started duloxetine (Cymbalta) which can help with nerve issues as well as anxiety. I had read that it can help taste issues so I asked to try it. It has lessened the taste disorder about 25% but I need it to be better than that. The neurologist has run every test available too. All kinds of blood tests, even for Lyme disease and heavy metals but the only thing found was Sjogren's which I already knew. The EEG and MRI's were all normal so it's still a mystery. I would love to try the oral probiotic that you are on to see if it helps. Can you give me a name of what you are now trying? I take a general probiotic but I have been on it for years. Yes, I think too that I will always have this taste disorder because of the Sjogren's. I would like to figure out at least how to make it bearable. Today I was okay in the morning and then we went to Costco. They had some samples out and as soon as I had them the sour/bitter taste started. It takes just about nothing to set it off!! I do have an irritated tongue all the time but it's the tip of the tongue. The dentist says it should not be causing this problem but I do not have an abnormally white tongue. Everytime I go to the dentist I ask her if my tongue looks okay and she says Yes, which is good but not good because it sure doesn't act okay!!! Gum seems to work to at least make the day bearable since the pilocarpine didn't really help me. Okay sorry this reply was so long!!!

@neisie13 I tried cymbalta years and years ago but it was for anti-anxiety. It didn't help my anxiety and it never bothered my taste. This just started in October of 2025 for me. The pilocarpine has help with the salty/metallic taste I hardly taste it now but it's there, bc I have more saliva. My dry mouth bothers me 24 hours a day. There's no let up. My tongue won't stay still, I have this texture in my tongue and it keeps moving around going across my teeth all the time Even when I have gum or a mint. What I don't like is I asked a couple of dentists and one that has been practicing for 45 years said oh all tongues are different colors yours is fine! He's full of crap. I hope you know that having dry mouth especially since you're not having a saliva inducer a lot of people lose their teeth and have a lot of decay which has happened to me. Going to the dentist like every month to fix something. The oral probiotic I use is called (Oral Probiotic)on Amazon it has 11 billion CFU plus xylitol it's good for the teeth and gums fresh breath. It balances out the bacteria. I'm using it once in the morning and once at night. You have to read the directions and it has a bunch of probiotic strains. Got to try it. If you have problems finding it let me know there are different other kinds I just happen to pick this one. Sorry mine is so long also, I tend to write stories lol. Good luck and let me know

@synthiame Yes, I also tend to write stories when I answer a post. I just went on Amazon and I think I found the Oral Probiotic that you take. I will order it also since it also has the Xyltol. I'll try anything at this point. It's frustrating when you get brushed off by a doctor or dentist!! Sjogren's is a very misunderstood disease. Most doctors think it just causes dry eyes, mouth and nose but it can affect multiple organs. My tongue too is all over the place. Interesting that we both do it. Yes, I see people posting all the time about losing their teeth and it really scares me. Chewing gum is also good, especially after a meal... I am posting something here about how it helps...
"Chewing sugarless gum for 20 minutes after meals is considered healthy and can significantly reduce the risk of tooth decay. It increases saliva flow, which washes away food debris, neutralizes harmful acids, and strengthens enamel with calcium and phosphate"
Okay let's keep in touch with any updates....