Salty tast in my mouth from diagnosed with Sjogren's

@linda1976 It has been a while since we've been in touch so I was wondering if you had your appointment at UCLA yet. I am still having the taste issues so I thought I would check in with you again and see if you found out anything?

@neisie13 , hey Nesie. I hope Linda and you are doing well.

I just wanted to add that:

I’ve posted several places about my gradual improvement over the last 6 months. ( With taste issue. I don’t have Sjogrens.) I’m greatly improved even more than my most recent post on other threads around here. If I had to give a percentage I would say that I’m around 97% back to normal. I can’t explain why.

One thing that I am doing is taking Hydroxychloroquine. My dermatologist prescribed it though not my ENT. I can’t be sure it’s a factor as I was improving before I started taking it.

@celia16 Hi Celia...Hope that's your name!!! I never heard back from Linda but hopefully she'll reply so we can hear about her appointment. How great that you are just about cured from your taste issues.. I wonder if the new medication helped? Are you supposed to stay on it for the long-term? I was put on it years ago but I couldn't keep taking it because it made the ringing in my ears unbearable. I hope you continue it with no problems. What was it that made the dermatologist recommend it? I know it calms down the immune system. My taste is a little better since I started the Cymbalta (I take the generic). I don't get that awful salty taste nearly as much but I still have trouble with the sour/bitter type taste. Today the doctor increased my dose since it's been helping somewhat so I'll see what happens. Thanks for reaching out!!!

@neisie13 , my taste issue evolved over time. Started out with severe, overwhelming metallic….then regular metallic, then bitter….then salty….now just slightly off. It dawned on me that maybe the saline nasal spray I started using for congestion, phlegm, watery nose could be causing the salty taste…..idk. But, it’s less now and I still use the saline spray everyday as maintenance.

I was prescribed that med because my dermatologist thought I may have autoimmune issues due to my skin issues, psoriasis and hair loss. Of course, it’s also believed that I have post covid syndrome. So……..

I have no idea what to expect going forward. As you know, it’s stressful. I’m working on getting out from some of my daily stressors. Hope that will help too.

@celia16 Interesting that you talked about the saline spray because I was thinking that too but when I stopped it for a while, it didn't help. I tried eliminating Splenda, Spicy Foods, etc. etc. but nothing seems to have worked except the Cymbalta.
Yes, it sounds like you have some kind of autoimmune issue. At first they diagnosed my as having Sjogren's by my symptoms even though the blood work was negative, but now it is finally coming back positive because they did a much more detailed test. It is almost a relief to see it in writing on my lab report because I knew I had all the symptoms.
I also have a lot of skin issues also and my hands were a mess this winter with the cold weather. The dermatologist thinks it's Raynaud's that is messing up the circulation. Of course it's better now that it's warm. I'm sorry to hear you have so many other issues besides the taste (which is better). My hair is thin in areas and I'm using Minoxidil but not sure it really works. Yes, post covid sydrome is very real!!
Anyway, I'm doing a boot camp (senior level) every week and trying to stay as healthy as I can. Looks like you are doing that too!!! Good luck to both of us!!!

@neisie13 , you too! One thing that gets me is that most days, despite my issues, I feel really good! Energetic, strong, flexible….happy! It’s nice. That counts for something, right? Lol I play music in my workouts.
My theme song is Roar.
https://m.youtube.com/watch