Hi everyone,
Even though I've managed to curb some of my oral dryness, there's room for improvement. Just curious to learn what others use to combat parched mouth.
I currently find low dose testosterone and dhea work best in combination with pilocarpine (Salagen).
Kind regards.
Maria
Biotene toothpaste and mouthwash, MedActive oral relief lozenges (available from Amazon)
Katie 11
I am on 25mg of pilocarpine each day. 10mg in the a.m, 7.5mg mid afternoon,, 7.5mg at about 8 or 9. I keep Xylimelts w' me, seldom use it, and I use Biotene gel when I have what you call parched mouth. Certain foods (usually too much salt added) can dry me out instantaneously. I sip of water and coat my oral cavity with biotene relieves that feel. Mostly I avoid any food which dries me out. Also, I avoid nasal sprays and antihistamines like they are poison. Sometimes we have to take them...but I certainly don't like it. I don't use those other products mentioned...as I consider them for what I term "normal" dry mouth issues. Ours is systemic. Calls for the big guns!
btw: my rheumy has stated I cannot take anymore pilo per day. That is, I a at my maximum. :(
I've found Ubiquinol (200mg/day) to be helpful. I have a humidifier next to my bed, chew Xylitol gum occassionally, and drink lots of water.
1- Ubiquinol 200mg before sleep (with Omega 3 pill for absorbtion)
2- I use Pilocarpine eye drops as a mouthwash by swishing a few drops around in my mouth.
This stimulates saliva flow.
I do this since I can't tolerate the Salagen pills (plus the eye drops are much cheaper).
Sip,Swish,Swallow water.
I use generic Evoxac three times daily - the maximum dose I can take. Pilocarpine (the maximum dose) seemed like just a minimum of relief to me. Evoxac works better, but I am still dry in between doses. Some days are worse than others.
I also use Xyelomelts at night while I am sleeping - one on each side of my mouth. I sip lots of fluids, chew sugarless gum, and occasionally suck on sugarless hard candy.
It's always a struggle😔.
Kathy
I use exovac too, pilocarpine didn't do anything for me in comparison.
My doc found a phenomenal prescription spray called aquaoral that actually stimulates saliva production and has a lubricating effect.
I also use biotene spray during the day and biotene gel at night. The exotic made a huge difference in quality of life for me..
Keep trying until you find what works :-)
Quote from: Sharon on June 18, 2017, 04:21:33 PM
1- Ubiquinol 200mg before sleep (with Omega 3 pill for absorbtion)
2- I use Pilocarpine eye drops as a mouthwash by swishing a few drops around in my mouth.
This stimulates saliva flow.
I do this since I can't tolerate the Salagen pills (plus the eye drops are much cheaper).
Very interesting about the ubiquinol. I wonder if it plays a role in helping with dry mouth? There is research on CoQ10 helping with periodontal disease - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2991687/
One note about ubiquinol and CoQ10 for those interested. Regular CoQ10/ubiquinol is poorly absorbed by the body, but studies show that a water and fat-soluble form is better absorbed and leads to higher plasma levels.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=Plasma+coenzyme+Q10+response+to+oral+ingestion+of+coenzyme+Q10+formulation
Dry mouth is not my worst symptom, it seems to come and go a bit during the day, and is worse at night. Sugar-free chewing gum has been the best thing for me. Biotene mouth gel gave me some kind of allergic reaction. I avoid very dry food.
N-acetyl cysteine
Hi everyone,
Thanks for your replies - hopefully they are useful to others seeking a remedy too.
I've tried most things mentioned, but unfortunately Evoxac is not available in my country. I still take pilocarpine but like cccourt1942 I find it's becoming less effective over time.
@Nymph: yes, N-acetyl cysteine worked for me too, but caused weight gain. Have you noticed this side effect too?
@Katie1111: MedActive oral relief lozenges sound promissing, are they expensive & how many do you take?
By the way, I'm trying "slippery elm" at the moment. When taken simultaneously with Pilocarpine it causes a little saliva flood - but I'm bracing myself for the side effects, which will usually either be constipation/weight gain/depression - or all of them at once :( :o
Hi Maria. No, I am underweight and have not found anything that makes me gain! :P
Hi Nymph,
Wish that would be one of my side effects but I always seem to get the opposite. Even though I can imagine being underweight comes with its own set of problems ...
Take care !
I take ubiquinol, drink lots of water, and try not to take antihistamines too often (for sleep).
I recently switched to ACT Dry Mouth toothpaste and finally my gums have stopped bleeding every morning & night when I brush my teeth! And it really is a soothing mild minty flavor, not harsh & drying like regular toothpaste.
Dawn
Quote from: DP on July 09, 2017, 04:36:52 PM
I take ubiquinol, drink lots of water, and try not to take antihistamines too often (for sleep).
I recently switched to ACT Dry Mouth toothpaste and finally my gums have stopped bleeding every morning & night when I brush my teeth! And it really is a soothing mild minty flavor, not harsh & drying like regular toothpaste.
Dawn
Thanks for sharing the tips!
There is research on CoQ10/ubiquinol for gum disease, so it does make sense that it could help: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2991687/
It seems to be related to lowering inflammation. What brand do you use?
I use Biotene spray throughout the night and have also found that keeping my lips moist with Blistex Lip Medex helps during the day. It's a small tub of menthol-based gel that I have found stimulates saliva flow in me. I tried CoQ10 Ubiquinol and it did not help me. I also had a problem with Xelomelts at night, as one dislodged and I almost aspirated it.
I can't say it enough, the menthol in Blistex Lip Medex is awesome!
Pilocarpine is the key.
Keeping my nose clear for breathing is essential, as well. I use saline nasal spray, followed by Nasocort. I also take a generic mucinex, morning and night. Then my nose is clear and my mucus is not gluey (well not SO gluey) and I can breathe through my nose. Heaven help me if my nose is blocked. My mouth then becomes a foreign object (think brillo pad).
I also take Ubiquinol, N-Acetyl Cysteine (for Meniere's per Otolaryngologist), Omega-3 (per Cardiologist) N-Acetyl Carnitine, Beta Carotene, Cistanche, and a host of other substances. Too many to list. Do they help with dry mouth? I count on Pilocarpine, that I know.
I take antihistamines day and night for general rhinitis and 'allergy like' symptoms.
In all I take well over 30 tablets/pills a day, in addition to sprays and creams. I'm a mess, 'tis true.
Hugs, Elaine
Thank you all this is helpful. Dry mouth was the last symptom to kick in, and it is just getting to the point where it bothers me every day.