Dry Mouth

[teyris]

Does anyone suffer with a dry mouth and no matter how much water (or tea & coffee) you drink nothing seems to stop it. My doctor thought it may be the antihistamine I was taking and changed it to fexafenadine but I haven’t taken any for three months and still have the dry mouth.

I did try to get a doctors appointment but as usual they were fully booked and I couldn’t even book a routine one between now and the end of the month surprise surprise.

Any ideas what it could be or how I can help it would be most gratefully received

[ShinyB]

I suffered with a dry mouth for years and years. I used to think I was perhaps pre-diabetic. I literally used to drink pints and pints of water, and couldn't even go for a 20 minute walk without a bottle of water on me. Since I've been taking T3 and also eating more seasalt to support my adrenals, it's stopped, just like that! I cant' say which one it was, or possibly a combo of the two. Don't know if that helps at all!

[SmallBlueThing]

Trivial increases in physical or emotional stress would make my mouth suddenly go dry. For example, walking a few steps up a slope, or answering a question. My hypertension wasn't controlled at the time, and I was also mouth-breathing at night, due to sleep apnoea. GP didn't seem concerned; dentist was.

[Kalicocat]

Have you been tested for Sjogrens?

[SilverAvocado]

I find sucking something makes my mouth a lot wetter than drinking. Unfortunately I can't find anything that isn't sweet to suck My current favourites are fisherman's friends, or Gingins, which are strong ginger pastilles.

There are several artificial saliva products available. I haven't really got one I like. But in other threads people have recommended brands they like.

Mine is dry as a side effect of RAI treatment.

[helvella in reply to SilverAvocado]

Stones?

youtube.com/watch?v=TXoq_H9...(Not working as expected?)

[ShinyB in reply to SilverAvocado]

I do quite a lot of singing. Before my dry mouth problem resolved, I used to carry round a container of cloves and chew and suck on one of those before getting up to sing. I LOVE fisherman's friends but try to avoid them as I try to avoid sugar.

[SilverAvocado in reply to ShinyB]

Cloves is a good idea! I have always disliked cloves, but I dislike having a dry mouth more

[ShinyB in reply to SilverAvocado]

I prefer them to sucking a lemon, which is another thing that helps! They're also easier to carry around lol.

[SmallBlueThing in reply to ShinyB]

There were/are several brands of liquorice pellets available, marketed at singers: Nigroids, renamed Vigroids before ceasing production a couple of years ago; Blackoids; Nipits; Bel Canto (ta-da!). Available via Amazon and eBay.

[ShinyB in reply to SmallBlueThing]

hmm, I love liquorice But I think all these have sugar in, which I try to steer clear of. I guess it's in small amounts though! Do you sing?

[SmallBlueThing in reply to ShinyB]

These aren't anything like normal liquorice sweets. Some of us developed a taste for them and took them to school, to avoid the likelihood of anyone wanting to cadge some!

A long time ago I saw an iridologist on a whim, and was told I should sing, for my well-being. Since then I've read that singing is good for thyroid function, but I lead a rather mute existence.

[SilverAvocado in reply to SmallBlueThing]

Interesting aboutt the singing! I'm sure its good exercise for the whole area. I don't sing at all, either

[ShinyB in reply to SmallBlueThing]

There was a crazy trend at my senior school for chewing on liquorice roots. Tasted divine, but it was like chewing an a thick woody stalk, with little bits of fibre stuck in your teeth for hours lol.

Are they like imps? I've tried them and like them.

Singing keeps me sane (although I'm not sure listening to it has the same effect on other people haha). Go on, give it a go!

I must move and do something. I've sat on the sofa all day today so far *summons*up*energy*to*move*.... Nope, it ain't working!

[SmallBlueThing in reply to ShinyB]

I've seen mention of Imps in reviews for Nipits and Bel Canto (not as good as Imps, but they'll do, sort of thing).

A couple of family members have benefited from their choir involvement. I'll croak along to YouTube every now and then.

[Ghillykarp]

One thing that can relieve reduced saliva is effervescent vit C tablets. Break a piece of the tablet and put in the mouth and saliva will flood in.