1. < Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT)

Dry mouth: Any ideas on how to help?

Posted by rostrevor @rostrevor, Jul 29, 2018

I have had coated tongue and dry mouth for 3. 5 months. Now mainly dry mouth. Have ruled out gastro , ear nose and throat and blood work and urine samples pretty normal as was ultrasound. Trying dry mouth mouthwash tooth paste and lozenges. Very temporary relief. Never had this problem before. Had bypass 9 years ago and am on beta blocker and atacand and Crestor . Maybe drug related but same drugs for 9 years did not cause it. Anyone have any ideas.

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Maureen, Alumna Mentor | @alpaca | Aug 13, 2018

Colgate Neutrafluor 5000 I think it is called is what I use. It has the most fluoride of any toothpastes we can get in New Zealand. Expensive though. PS, I blame my keyboard for typos. I never learnt to touch type!

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Lisa Lucier | @lisalucier | Aug 25, 2018
In reply to @lisalucier "Hi, @rostrevor -- that sounds like a frustrating problem having dry mouth. You've been really proactive..." + (show)
@lisalucier

Hi, @rostrevor -- that sounds like a frustrating problem having dry mouth. You've been really proactive in trying remedies and also ruling out possible causes, which is great.

Here is some information from Mayo Clinic on dry mouth that may be useful: https://mayocl.in/2EQqw7o.

I'd like to introduce you to some other Connect members who have mentioned dry mouth, such as @lioness @fleure @jeanw28 @netty @redhead63 @fsumom6. Hoping they may have some insights for you. Also, @alpaca may have some thoughts.

@rostrevor, have you gotten to check with your doctor or pharmacist to see what they think?

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Hi, @rostrevor - just wanted to check in with you and see if the pilocarpine (Salagen) you were going to try for your dry mouth has made any difference for you so far?

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rostrevor | @rostrevor | Aug 28, 2018

Before I take the salagen I want my doctor to test to see if I have Sjogrens. I think a lip biopsy or saliva gland test can confirm. Meantime I am using every dry mouth over the counter product there is. They all help for a short time but my tongue is still dry after 4.5 months.Could be drug interaction but I would have to stop and start some drugs to see. Seeing ear nose and throat specialist this week.

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nazleer | @nazleer | Dec 3, 2019

I experience dry mouth syndrome which has bothered me for years. I am diabetic and wake up at night. I have trouble falling asleep once I am awake. My nose gets blocked also. I take some OTC medications for dry mouth but to no avail. Can anyone suggest anything better?

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3 replies
Mentor
John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Dec 3, 2019
In reply to @nazleer "I experience dry mouth syndrome which has bothered me for years. I am diabetic and wake..." + (show)
@nazleer

I experience dry mouth syndrome which has bothered me for years. I am diabetic and wake up at night. I have trouble falling asleep once I am awake. My nose gets blocked also. I take some OTC medications for dry mouth but to no avail. Can anyone suggest anything better?

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Hello @nazleer, Welcome to Connect. I occasionally have dry mouth and use an OTC mouthwash with Biotene that helps a little for me. Mayo Clinic has some information on dry mouth syndrome treatments here that may be helpful: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/dry-mouth/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20356052. There is also another discussion on dry mouth where you may want to post your question.

> Groups > Just Want to Talk > Dry mouth
-- https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/dry-mouth-2/

Just curious, have you discussed your dry mouth symptoms with your doctor to see if they have any recommendations?

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Lisa Lucier | @lisalucier | Dec 3, 2019
In reply to @nazleer "I experience dry mouth syndrome which has bothered me for years. I am diabetic and wake..." + (show)
@nazleer

I experience dry mouth syndrome which has bothered me for years. I am diabetic and wake up at night. I have trouble falling asleep once I am awake. My nose gets blocked also. I take some OTC medications for dry mouth but to no avail. Can anyone suggest anything better?

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Hi, @nazleer - that is difficult to be waking up at night with dry mouth and then be unable to fall back to sleep.

Glad you connected with @johnbishop.

So that you can meet others also talking about dry mouth on Connect, I've moved your post to this existing discussion @johnbishop mentioned called "Dry Mouth." Please meet members such as @rostrevor @jeanw28 @alpaca @netty @lioness and others, who may have some suggestions since the OTC medications you've taken to date have not worked. @mariehh @3les54 also may have some thoughts for you.

What medications have you tried thus far, nazleer, for the dry mouth?

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1 reply
stolzy | @stolzy | Dec 8, 2019
In reply to @nazleer "I experience dry mouth syndrome which has bothered me for years. I am diabetic and wake..." + (show)
@nazleer

I experience dry mouth syndrome which has bothered me for years. I am diabetic and wake up at night. I have trouble falling asleep once I am awake. My nose gets blocked also. I take some OTC medications for dry mouth but to no avail. Can anyone suggest anything better?

Jump to this post

this goes with all diabetics plus any other meds that you take I get the same thing with my asthma inhalers as they to give me a dry month at night

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lioness | @lioness | Dec 8, 2019
In reply to @lisalucier "Hi, @nazleer - that is difficult to be waking up at night with dry mouth and..." + (show)
@lisalucier

Hi, @nazleer - that is difficult to be waking up at night with dry mouth and then be unable to fall back to sleep.

Glad you connected with @johnbishop.

So that you can meet others also talking about dry mouth on Connect, I've moved your post to this existing discussion @johnbishop mentioned called "Dry Mouth." Please meet members such as @rostrevor @jeanw28 @alpaca @netty @lioness and others, who may have some suggestions since the OTC medications you've taken to date have not worked. @mariehh @3les54 also may have some thoughts for you.

What medications have you tried thus far, nazleer, for the dry mouth?

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@nazleer Ive had dry mouth ,nose and eyes from my fibro . My remedies are a humidifier when the furnace is on in winter . I also use biotene mouthwash 2 x a day and the lozengers in between when needed . SOmetimes instead of the Biotene mouthwash I will use baking soda mouthwash don't swallow . It is soothing if your mouth is sore also.

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thomasd | @thomasd | Dec 9, 2019
In reply to @alpaca "I have dry mouth as a result of radiation to the head and neck. I know..." + (show)
@alpaca

I have dry mouth as a result of radiation to the head and neck. I know that there are several medications that cause it and a few that relieve it but nothing lasts for extended periods. Taking water with you everywhere can help but better still are the gels like Oral 7 or Oralieve. Xylimelts are effective at night. You have to be more cautious with your teeth with dry mouth as teeth need to be bathed in saliva in order to build themselves up continuously.

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Xylimelts have helped me a lot.
Got to be careful with them around dogs. They can be deadly.

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2 replies
lioness | @lioness | Dec 9, 2019
In reply to @thomasd "Xylimelts have helped me a lot. Got to be careful with them around dogs. They can..." + (show)
@thomasd

Xylimelts have helped me a lot.
Got to be careful with them around dogs. They can be deadly.

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@thomasd Thanks bI have dry mouth and will add you his to my regimen

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