side effect of pred:

[mustcarryon]

Does anyone know if the steroids can cause a dry mouth and light headiness?

MCO

[SnazzyD]

What dose are you on?

[mustcarryon in reply to SnazzyD]

Just finished 15 now on 12 1/2

[SheffieldJane]

I have a dry mouth in bed at night, I assume that it’s Pred related. I find that Salivix, salivary stimulant, dry mouth pastilles relieve this annoying symptom. I think a funny head goes with the territory as well but if you are at all worried tell your GP. For instance, does it ever become pain?

I am aware that Sjorgens Syndrome is another autoimmune disease, similar in some respects to PMR that is characterised by dryness. I am also aware that I may have got its name a bit wrong but someone will correct me I’m sure.

[mustcarryon in reply to SheffieldJane]

Thanks for that Sheffield Jane.

I have written down what you recommend and will get them tomorrow. I have got Biotene toothpaste and mouth wash but they haven't improved anything yet.

Now and again i get twinges in my head, not what i call a headache, so maybe the fuzzy head does go with the territory, i have appointment with my gp next week so i will ask him just to make sure.

MCO xx

[Maisiek]

I have extremely dry mouth at night but put it down to B/P medication :

Amlodopine.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Has your doctor checked your Hba1c level to be sure you aren't developing steroid induced diabetes - that can cause a dry mouth. But as SJ says, a dry mouth is not unusual along with a few autoimmune disorders.

[DogAgilityObsessed]

Another “me too” with dry mouth at night. I assume it’s the pred.

[HeronNS]

The only time I've had dry mouth which was a problem was caused, I realized in retrospect, by some adrenal insufficiency recently when I had an accident and was somewhat injured. At the time I was at about 2 mg.

[Susan1705]

My dentist noticed quite quickly after I started taking them and prescribed toothpaste with higher fluoride Duraphat 5000

[phebamom]

I am on pepcid ac because of stomach damage from pred. Antacids, especially H2 blockers and PPIs cause dry mouth as a major side effect. The light headedness could be blood pressure, again a pred side effect. Light headedness is also caused by anxiety, not that we have anything to be anxious about. I know this because the stomach bleeding recently was diagnosed with endoscopy. They put me on 40mg of pepcid a day, up from my usual 20. My mouth and throat were so dry I could barely function. I had to go back down to 20.

[pegpowell in reply to phebamom]

I too have been on a PPI for three years and recently got dry mouth at night. I am also at a low dose pred, 3 1/2 to 3 mgs. I do worry that it may be a prediabetes symptom. Started at 15 mgs five years ago. Sometimes lightheaded.

[phebamom]

I am pre diabetic, on pred 10 years off and on. I know I drink a lot of water. But blood sugar is showing as low. How much PPI are you on?