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Nighttime Dry Mouth
I'm a 79-year-old female with idiopathic dry mouth that has become progressively worse in the past two years. I go to bed at 11pm and will wake up every hour with dry mouth. When I wake up, I'll use either Act gum, sprays, water, or lozenges. By 5am, my mouth is so dry I have to get up and eat breakfast.
Tests for autoimmune diseases have been negative. Taking Pilocarpine gave me a headache.
Had anyone had success with products that work during the night?
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Just my experience and my personal opinion. Many of us have trouble getting diagnosed, I think you do have at least one autoimmune disease based on your symptoms. I have all your symptoms from Sjogrens. There are a lot of things to try for the dry mouth. Some people try all the Biotin products all sold OTC. You can get online and type in products for dry mouth and read and decide what you would like to try. Right now my nose is as dry as the palm on my hand so I am dealing with that. I am using Saline gels. God bless and please keep us posted because we do understand. Oh I didn’t say I have Rheumatoid Arthritis, Lupus and Sjogrens.
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2 ReactionsTry keeping a humidifier by your bed, it seems to help quite a bit
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1 ReactionI use Extra (sugar free) peppermint chewing gum. I take one piece and fold in half. I either put it in the roof of my mouth or my cheek. Please do not chew. I hope it helps. I use it at night.
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2 Reactions@betty41 Wow, aren't you concerned you could swallow that piece of gum and choke? I put a cough drop in my mouth and later fell asleep and woke up choking with it in there. Now I make sure I have nothing in my mouth that could inhibit my breathing.
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2 ReactionsI guess I am lucky. I haven't had a problem. I did have your problem with a cough drop. I don't use them anymore.
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1 Reaction@betty41
A relative choked to death when she had a cough drop was stuck in her throat as she slept--- really! So I'm glad you are being careful and I hope others will be aware of this danger. There are mouth rinses available for dry mouth, but they don't last all night. I think Biotene makes one.
Dry mouth is quite a problem.
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3 ReactionsMy husband took care of this problem by taping his mouth before bed with a vertical piece of paper tape. I haven't tried it because I have a deviated septum and chronic congestion (in those cases, it is not recommended). My dry mouth is caused by medications I must take. I drink a great deal of water during the day, and that helps. I do get up once or twice a night to use the bathroom.
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1 ReactionI am a caregiver.Sometimes my person is awake,with eyes open and talking, or up to go at night, and has dry mouth.
I offer a single or mini popscile or ice cube during night with head propped up.It works well for us.
We have considered keeping a cooler or mini fridge (dorm- size)in the bedroom for fast and nearby relief, keeping lights dim or off (nightlight),to stay sleepy and have better chance of getting back to sleep.
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1 ReactionI started using a small humidifier by my bed at night last year, and it’s made a big difference. It seems to help a lot with dry mouth and dry eyes.
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2 ReactionsIs your person you patient?