Has anyone found any helpful remedies to deal with lack of saliva and a very dry mouth. Have been told it is a side effect of taking ursa.

[Sweet1pea]

[Hidden]

Hello Sweet1pea.

Apparently a dry mouth can be something else known as Sjorgens Syndrome which I think you'll find mentioned on this site for several with PBC. With this Sjorgens (I've not got) you can also have dry eyes too. But you'd have to get a doctor to check you out.

I don't think it is a side-effect of taking urso.

Maybe it is also anxiety due to having PBC. Know that in the past when I've gone for an interview, doctor's appt., certain situations like that, my mouth tends to suddenly dry out when I am normally ok. You then get what we call that 'frog in the throat'. Know this is due to adrenalin and a natural reaction but it's something temporarily.

The only temporary relief I perhaps could offer would be to have the occasional boiled sweet or what here in UK we used to call Opal Fruits but are now Starburst (soft chewy fruit sweets) as they do tend to induce saliva.

Expect someone else will perhaps contribute here if they have Sjorgens.

[nomorepies]

Many of us who have PBC also have sjorgrens syndrome which is another autoimmune condition. I have very dry gritty eyes and have lost the ability to shed tears, I also have a dry mouth. I try to drink plenty of water and chew sugar free gum, I have had punctal plugs fitted in my eyes to maintain moisture within my eyes. If you are worried I would get checked out by your doctor, if necessary they can refer you for tests if sjorgrens is suspected.

[Sweet1pea]

Thanks for your reply. I have discussed it with my consultant and he says that my symptoms are not consistent with Sjorgrens syndrome (my eyes are fine). It was his suggestion that it was a side effect of urso. Am doing all that you suggest but still looking for a magic bullet!

[sharon7716]

Biotene gel really good, you can buy in boots in the uk, it stops you waking up in the night.

[Jaycee in reply to sharon7716]

Hi There, can you tell me what Biotene is and what you use it for, you say it stops you waking up during the night, I would give anything not to be waking up through the night, so any info you have would be appreciated, Thanks,

[sharon7716 in reply to Jaycee]

Hi

[susanburgess]

Hi I also have a dry mouth I chew gum this help it is one of the conditions you can get with pbs. I don't loose any sleep with this. some people have other side effects like itching everyone is different. so many people have this condition you are not on your own.hope this helps.

[Hidden in reply to susanburgess]

Hello susanburgess.

Give me the dry mouth any day as opposed to the itch at night-time!

[Oidra]

I was also recommended to chew sugar free gum. I also had synthetic saliva sprays from the doctor, not too keen on the taste but they did help when I was particularly dry mouthed. At the moment it is not too bad (except in the dentists chair!) and drinks help. I have had (or been aware of) PBC for 13 years and have taken Urso continually.

[Hidden]

Try ORAMOIST tabs for night time. Great! xili melts tabs sold on Amazon And SALESE tablets I buy a lot in bulk from them drugstore.com. Cheapest I've found. Dry mouth can ruin teeth!

[kristieerhodes]

It could be from the Urso but may also be from another auto-immune condition. I have Sjogren's Syndrome, which is well known for causing it. I purchase mints called Myntz. They are very helpful in aiding the dry mouth. They are sold all over WA state, but you can go to their website and order them as well; it's myntz.com. I LOVE the vanilla-mint blast.

[sharon7716]

Hi, biotene gel is something you just put around you mouth with tongue, they also do mouthwash and toothpaste. I've found it stoped me waking up every hour due to dry mouth. Will have to try the tablets other people are suggesting

[crundalite]

Hi

I don't know if I have Sjorgens-my eyes are ok-but the hepatologist in B/Ham did suggest Slivax for a dry mouth-consistent with PBC. It's available OTC and can be sucked slowly thus avoiding the need for a spray in public.It helps and is sugar free.

[Sweet1pea]

Thank you to everyone for their suggestions about to cope with a dry mouth. I have come away with several ideas to follow up. I would also like to share something which has worked for me with itchy skin. I suffered from this quite badly for about 4 months but remembered something I had read on this website and tried it. Basically I moisturise myself very heavily (sometimes twice a day) with vaseline intensive care with aloe vera. It is the aloe vera component which is important I think. As a result I have been itch free for about two months. It may be worth a try for some of you.