I have some saliva thanks to steroids!

[Corella]

Honestly I do, I was even showing my sister in Cyprus via Skype last night - proudly displaying my tongue complete with saliva.

However, I have gained 5kgs and my face is like a footy ball and I suspect my rheumy will try and reduce me from the 1mg of Dex I am on as I seem to be over sensitive to meds now - more than I have ever been and I wouldnt normally be this big on steroids and my face all cushings.

However, normally I never ever ever get colds to the point I can be quite smug about it but yesterday after being in a board meeting for nearly 3 hours, I came out with the horrible itchy roof of the mouth feeling and last night spiked a temperature and this morning appear to have an upper respiratory infection which I am assuming is being in an air conditioned board room for that time.

My throat feels so painful, I have no tonsils but it almost feels like it is going to get strep throat but not that bad and my ears hurt and I am blocked - all upper airways, I was so exhausted last night I slept through the dryness and woke up this morning and it was obvious I hadnt swallowed all night as my tongue was all cracked and bleeding so my saliva production must be better in the day as I can hydrate myself easier.

I am about to have a cup of tea which gives that 'ouch burning' feeling followed by the 'thats nice' feeling.

Oh well I can celebrate my salivary gain and it has come at a trade off with suppressed immunity from the steroids and a nice throat infection.  But it does feel rather nice to have a wet mouth.

I am going to research diets today and see what I can find to get some weight off that satisfies my hunger on steroids as I feel like a right fat lump so I must try and do something about it.

What are your trade offs with your medicines - there always seems to be some, but I guess for me having my immune system suppressed is quite nice, although this painful throat isnt. But that will teach me for bragging that I never get colds.

[Doxie]

Corella, I'm glad you have some saliva! "Normal" people don't realize how much they rely on saliva. When they are without for a few minutes or an hour or so, it drives them nuts. But we have to deal with it all the time, day in and day out.

I now stay away from the steroids since it shot my blood sugar way high (and I ended up get diagnosed with diabetes). Sometimes I wish I could take it, and feel it would help my flares, but, I'm banning steroids for me at least right now.

Do you take steroids all the time? I hear that there is a problem with puffy face, and weight gain.  Something I don't need. Good luck combating the steroid effects!