Lupus SLE - Dry Mouth

[Sin123]

Hi there, I’ve SLE which has been very well managed on hydroxychloroquine and Methotrexate.

However, this past four months I’ve had a VERY stressful time. Constant minimal sleep, no appetite and weight loss. Now on anti depressants too.

I’m now suffering from a dry mouth in that I can’t get through the night without drinking water. Plus, my mouth is dry as a bone when I wake up. My tongue is also sore.

I believe this is another symptom of lupus. I read it can cause earlier tooth loss too as saliva is not produced in sufficient quantities and hence not performing its cleansing task. Does anyone else experience this and if so, any advice?

Apologies for cheery note!

Many thanks,

[Spanielmadlady]

Yes.do you have gritty eyes as well ? If so you might have sjorgens.i was prescribed salivix pastels by my rheumatologist and now my gp which help me enormously.they are a pleasant fruit flavour,dont have that cough syrup medicine taste and are sugar free. Kind regards xx

[weathervane]

Hi Sin123 , i have Sjögrens and desert mouth , and yes it has affected my teeth. I keep a glass of water by the bed an i get biotene get and a strong fluoride toothpaste on prescription.

Some medication can also cause a dry mouth so might be worth discussing with your rheumy or pharmacist.

Best wishes, hope you get some help 🌸

[Tykle]

I have Sjogren's too and have problems with dry eyes & mouth. Like Spanielmadlady, I have had Salivix pastels (which do taste nice!) and also Glandosane, which is a saliva spray and tastes disgusting. It does affect teeth, especially along the gum line. You can ask your dentist to prescribe you a high fluoride toothpaste to help.

[Roanna]

Hello Sin123,

I have had lupus for many years but have never had the dry eyes or mouth as some can get. I did however go on a antidepressant a few months back that was to help with sleep and depression and only recently realized how dry my mouth was when I was coming off and going through the withdrawals. It was giving me worse insomnia and wasn’t helping with the depression., also started intense hot/cold flashes day and night. I read the side effects and it was like a antihistamines blocker so after a few weeks off them I’m almost back to normal. Definitely look into the meds. We all react differently to things. Many of us get Sjorgens but many of us don’t...

Hope you get it figured out.

[puffyface]

Yes! You should speak to rheumy as you may have ss. I use salivex pastilles. They taste good. You can buy them in a chemist or on amazon...or your doc may prescribe. Always have a glass of water by your bed. Rheumy also recommended chewing sugar free gum. It keeps saliva going and thus protects your teeth. X

[Bebe76]

If the dryness started after you started taking the antidepressant it could be a side effect of the medication. Sjogren's is a possibility as well. Either way you may want to contact your doctor. Dry mouth can lead to dental issues.

[MissusTee]

A dry mouth is a very common side effect of anti depressants.