So is evovac the best choice??
My doctor doesn't know anything about Sjogren's meds and I don't have a rheumy.
Thanks for any help.
I'm having lots of dental problems now and the CPAP doesn't help.
You have a lot on your plate when you have such a dry mouth and then all the dental issues. I had so much problem with my teeth...big time....finally had them pulled in 2004 and never regretted it. I had put a few dentists kids through college I think back in those days. :P
I would think that it would help you to see an Ear,Nose and Throat doctor is you can as they are the ones who deal with Sjogrens and the mouth and salivary gland issues.
Pilocarpine and Exocrine are 2 drugs that can be used to increase the moisture in your mouth. Some people may get some help with dryness in eyes also but don't plan on it as it doesn't always happen.
If you do a search on this site and do one drug at a time you should find info regarding these drugs. Now they don't cure the problem but they do give some relief and are worth trying. With the Pilocarpine the usual dose is 10 mgm I believe but I had to start at the 5 mgm and just stayed there for a long time and then worked up to the 10 mgm. It seems like it caused me to perspired so much that I went back down to the 5 mgm.
Also, there are some products that you can buy at the drug store for some relief. Ask the clerk for the dry mouth rinse, oral gels that treat dryness.,etc. There are probably a few more out there in the last several years. When you find something you like then you can look on line and see if you can find these products cheaper. Sensodyne is one brand that comes to mind.
I actually tried using sugar free candy to suck on but I couldn't stand the sweetness. I think there are some other lozenges that are sugar free and there might even be some diet life savers. My favorite is the sugar free cough drops. Anything one sucks on becomes old over time so I just trade off but stick with the sugar free. The main thing is to stay away from Sorbitol sweetener as it gives so much gas and some people get diarrhea from it.
Actually, your dentist should be able to help you with some of these issues. Back in the day my dentists never even mentioned the word Sjogrens and when I think back I think they were either never educated about it or they were a little on the "dumb" side. Also, sipping rather then drinking large amounts of fluid is more helpful, With sipping one can get a lot of fluid intake what with meals, etc. Good luck and ask docs questions and don't be apologetic. We pay these people to help us and I am assuming you have either a Sjogrens or dry mouth diagnosis. meirish
Thank you, irish!
My dentist had no suggestions other than Biotene. Well, that won't help because my main problem is at night. I often don't wake up for hours, and sometimes not at all during the night. (believe me, that is a new blessing I gained since having the CPAP!)
So I thought a pill before bedtime would be my best bet.
I use biotene with my partial. The VA just gave me a bottle of "Mouth Kote" it is a spray and seems to help. It has a lemon/lime flavor.
I had a CPAP years ago and I can appreciate you issues with the dry mouth. The oral gel might be a good thing to try. I have used that. You squirt some in your mouth and move it around with your tongue and your mouth doesn't dry out as fast. You many want to try that with the pill. Maybe the 2 things together will help.
Also, I see that there are a lot of new CPAPs out there. One of them I saw was a tube in your nose or something like that. Seems like that might help with the dryness. If you insurance company doesn't want to pay I would try to get a script for something like this "needed due to Sjogrens and dry mouth" etc. You doctor would know better how to word it. Good luck. meirish
Thanks, Joe. That's another problem I have. I'm allergic to just about everything. Lemon is an issue. Almost all flavorings are.
Irish... My CPAP goes into my nose, but it still dries everything out.
Jazzover, Shoot!!! meirish
My c-pap has a place I add water. It helps, but I still need to use pilocarpine. My eyes get terribly dry, and I need to get cataract surgery soon, but I can see better after using pilocarpine.
susanep