Dry mouth

[Jillyanne]

Hi, does anybody else with RA have problems with very dry mouth and if so, what do I do.

Driving me mad 😡😡😡😡😡

Thanks

[Philip]

Mornin, it could be your medication because that happens to me also, I have a packet of mints so that my mouth is moist when I'm out or in the night, for RAi take sulfasalazine and meths and it might the or caused by another one or two or three or four or even five.

It probably won't help but it sure feels good to type, lol

Have fun

Philip

[Matilda7]

Have a look at this website for helpful ideas: nras.org.uk/dry-mouth

[Runrig01]

I don't have RA but have AS and take similar meds. I have had dreadful dry mouth. Seen an oral medicine about something else and he noticed it. He recommended a mouthwash particularly for dry mouth. I use Biotene twice a day, used to wake several times in the night for a drink, now sleep through. It's about £8 a bottle, but Boots do one for £4, it's very syrupy though. There are a few companies who do these mouthwashes, the specialist told me I may have to try a few to find one that works. He also suggested trying olive oil smeared lightly round mouth, I haven't tried that yet. Good luck. If you have dry eyes too though, get checked out for an autoimmune condition that occurs. Begins with S 😏

[Jillyanne in reply to Runrig01]

Thank you, it's a nightmare. Talking to people is a no go, and I also wake in the night. Eating certain food is awful 😞😞😞😞

[Runrig01 in reply to Jillyanne]

I should have also mentioned the Boots one comes in a handbag size spray, which is great when speaking for long periods. I work as a nurse and do lots of talking on the phone and regularly use the spray I find it helps. 😃

[Jillyanne in reply to Runrig01]

Thank you, have just ordered some Biotene from Boots 👍👍💐💐💐💐

[weathervane in reply to Jillyanne]

Biotene also does a mouth gel which you can put round tongue and mouth. It is great particularly at night.

[nomoreheels]

I have the same problem & my GP & I worked out it was my meds causing it so I'm prescribed tubes of Biotene gel to use when needed, which is pretty much all of the time. I think you can buy it from the chemists though if you prefer not to see your GP about it. Initially I was prescribed some lozenges though I can't think what they're called but they weren't very good anyway. I keep hydrated as well & have a bottle of water in the car & a smaller one in my bag.

[medway-lady]

Yes its down to the RA not the meds and i'm prescribed a spray, it works well. Peppermint flavour is best and the amount drunk has no bearing I can guzzle a litre of water and still have a dry mouth. I also suck children's fruit sweets like fruit gums. It makes no real difference but they taste nice. In short ask the GP to prescribe the spray Glandosane. Avoid the natural flavour its sort of fizzy nothing really.

[Jillyanne in reply to medway-lady]

Thank you, will ask my GP

[beeckey]

I get Glandosane prescribed by GP.I have a very dry mouth no saliva my tongue is like sandpaper.I also have dry itchy eyes they seem to go hand in hand for a lot of people

[sallyeb]

I had a dry mouth which was helped by sucking lemons and lemon sweets. Also chewing gum . Anything to help. Sally

[Hidden]

A coconut pull can help for a while as well, and it will clean your teeth and gums too. A coconut pull is where you put a tablespoon of coconut oil (you can use sesame or olive too as long as they are extra virgin oils) in your mouth and swish it for 20 minutes. Then spit in the trash. Don't swallow it (loaded with stuff) and don't spit it in the sink - it gets hard at 75 degrees...

[mickey1]

I also have a very dry mouth and itchy eyes. It's called Sorjens or something like that. I use Duraphat toothpaste that the dentist gave me to help. I've always got a small bottle of water with me at all times. I also find peppermints help. I was sent to an oral health clinic and the amytripterline I was taking for pain relief was changed to nortripaline which has helped a lot. The best thing I've tried for the dry itchy eyes is a hot as you can bare flannel pressed to them, eyes closed of course, my opticition recommended this.

[Jillyanne]

Thank you for all your replies , it's been over two months and I have a docs appointment on Thursday.

How do you all cope with this dry mouth, honestly it's driving me insane .

Tried sipping water, sweets, chewing gum, nothing helps. My mouth and lips are sore 😪😪😪😪