Anyone else get a very salty taste in mouth?

[deeindiana]

Lovely. Something has popped up and I don't know if it's a new chronic problem connected to my SjS, a new symptom of a flare, or something totally unrelated. A couple days ago I suddenly noticed an extremely salty taste in my mouth. It hasn't went away yet. My mouth doesn't seem any dryer than usual but it is making it harder to swallow and the extreme saltiness is upsetting.

I am currently in a flare. I'm also very constipated and have taken stool softeners for a couple days. And I'm under a lot of stress as we are packing to move out of state tomorrow.

Does this sound like a common SjS symptom? Does anyone else deal with this? What do you all think? I'm really hoping it goes away soon. It makes me nervous! Thanks all!

[meirish]

Dee, welcome to the club. I have had this problem for many, many years. Drives me nuts. I will have salt crystals even build up on the inside of my dentures to the point that they rub my gums. I have to clean the dentures more often and rinse out my mouth more. I try to drink more and have no clue if it even helps that much. Sorry to not give you any help with this.

Also, I have found that Benefiber is a very good product that help with the constipation. It is a prebiotic and I do think that it seems to be good for the colon. Easy to take mixed with juice and works so much better than metamucil. May have to still take a mild laxative at times but I found that it did help me a lot. Good luck with your move. So hard to move and then we are older and not so healthy so very stressful. Rest as much as you can. I moved last summer and haven't recovered from that or got alley boxes sorted out yet. Safe traveling. meirisih

[deeindiana]

Irish, it's just nice to hear that I'm not alone. It's so weird! And you as you know, you just can't get away from it. I've been sucking on Halls Fruit Breezes for a little relief. I'm hoping it eases when this flare finally passes. Thank you for sharing.

Moving sucks... At this moment I'm laying on an air mattress with our two dogs. It's going to take a fork lift to get me off the floor. I'm so tired...

Thanks again!

[Carolina]

Hi,Dee,

I have had salty/metallic taste in my mouth for so long I can't remember when it began.

I also sometimes smell things that aren't there: wet newspaper, smoke.

Sjogren's causes taste and smell problems. 

Regards, Elaine Dittmer

[Scottietottie]

Hi 

I too get a salty/citrus taste. I think my skin is saltier too. The citrus taste confuses me more. None of the search engines seem to find anything about it.

Take care - Scottie 

[meirish]

I have had the salty taste for a long time and it can get bad. I also think that it makes my heartburn worse. So hard to explain these things and to find things that help. My pharmacy changes the generic brand of their omeprazole(I do think I was on the brand for many years of 40 mgm twice a day) and this doesn't help my heartburn as well. I will have to get a new script from my doctor.

Also, I get the salt on my skin from my elbows down and generally more from my wrists down. I can feel it burning my skin at times and I have seen the salt flakes on my skin when the sun shines a certain way. Also....i tried licking my skin one time and it is unbelievably salty. I have suffered with this for several years and no doctor gets it and some don't believe it. One doctor believed me and told me he thought most likely from the Sjogrens. What to do about it????Drinking fluids doesn't seem to help. Taking a shower helps for a while but you can't live in the shower.

Remember....Sjogrens is just dry eyes, dry mouth. meirish

[Maria3667]

I too have the salty taste for as long as I can remember since diagnosis and before. Also the salt content in my eye moisture is much too high (causing a burning sensation). Could there be a relation?? Also suffer from severe constipation...

My blood sodium level is within range.

Strangely enough I have all the dryness symptoms but no Sjogren's markers and a negative parotid biopsy.

[meirish]

Constipation was also mentioned in this thread. The constipation with sjogrens is generally because our body doesn't make enough mucus in the gastrointestinal tract. This is because the inflammatory process destroys the mucus glands in the GI tract the same as it does in the mouth, sinuses, lungs etc. More thick mucus in the colon. Need to drink more water and also find a product that helps soften the stool and stimulate the colon at the same time.

I try to avoid laxatives and never had any luck with metamucil. I have become acquainted yer past couple of years with Benefiber powder. This powder is very fine and pretty much dissolves in water or juice and doesn't have "stuff" floating that one has to try and swallow. It is a prebiotic and I do think that it helps make for a healthier colon. If one needs a little more stimulation to promote bowel movements it helps to eat peach sauce and applesauce every day. Also, a little milk of magnesia at bedtime on occasion with often kick start the colon.

Another thing to eat is raisins, pineapple, apple slices  (really good with some peanut butter on them). It is so hard for any of us to eat enough fruit and vegetables. I find that the fruit is more helpful...also prunes and other dried fruits. Good luck all. meirish

[deeindiana]

I hate that we all deal with this but at least it's a relief to know that I'm not alone in the salty taste. I've tried so many things to figure it out but nothing seems to work: pushing water, flossing, gargling, changing toothpastes, eating less salt, etc. Perhaps it's just my new "norm". But since so many of us have it you'd think the doctors would have a reason.

meirish - prunes are awesome! No, not the taste. Ew. But I keep dried prunes in my fridge and eat three a day. They help a lot with constipation.

[meirish]

dee...I even love the taste of dried prunes. I was raised by a post depression mom who believed in cooked prunes and apricots. Always loved them but with diabetes have to curb my cravings.

Don't we wish someone would know where the salty taste comes from. Drives me a little crazy some days. Take care. meirish