Dry Mouth

susanpollard
susanpollard Member Posts: 14
edited 4. May 2010, 15:01 in Living with Arthritis archive
Hi everyone, sorry I havent been on the forum for ages, password and accessability was a problem, but hey ho im finally back! :D
I have been diagnosed with Osteoarthritis, but I have all the symptoms of RA, dry mouth which is driving me totally nuts, dry eyes, fatigue, you name it, but I cant stand this dry mouth, the doc has given me Salagen but it aint working yet, and im applying for full time work in jobs such as Customer Service on the telephones, but ive had to put it on hold due to my dry mouth, I cant even talk for a short while, yet alone talk all day on the phone, if you have any tips that would be great, I hope that you are all ok, Sue Pollard

Comments

  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    I have never experienced it but would sucking small ice cubes help in any way? I know from the forums that others have had this dry mouth problem - I'm sure they'll be in touch. Dreamdaisy
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • elnafinn
    elnafinn Member Posts: 7,412
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Hi Sue

    I have dry eyes every now and again and also dry mouth, nothing like you seem to have to contend with though. I suck boiled sweets. I used to chew gum mot of the time. I have OA. Have you had your thyroid checked out?

    Luv
    Elna x
    The happiest people don't have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything.

    If you can lay down at night knowing in your heart that you made someone's day just a little bit better, you know you had a good day.
  • susanpollard
    susanpollard Member Posts: 14
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Hi Elna

    Thank you for replying :D , yeah ive had thyroid checked, everything is ok, all my symptoms are of RA but until it shows in a blood test he wont commit himself to saying what he thinks, I know for sure that I have RA, family history, symptoms such as sjrogens, pain, rash on my legs, well more like pimples that wont go away. Consultant said its all related to RA, but he cant commit till it shows in my blood.
    i want to return to work, im a carer for my daughter but now the time is right to go to work, but talking on the phone at work is going to prove tasking due to the dry mouth, its driving me nuts!!
    Hope you are ok Elna,
    sue xx
  • speedalong
    speedalong Member Posts: 3,315
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Hi Susan,

    only time I have had a dry mouth was when I was very nervous!! Sounds horrid though and all the time. Have you asked your chemist about it. Evidently you can buy an artificial saliva substitute ...

    http://www.medicinenet.com/dry_mouth/page2.htm

    Hope you get this sorted out.

    Speedalong
    I have had OA since mid twenties. It affects my hips and knees. I had a THR on the left aged 30 and now have a resurface-replacement on the right - done May 2010.
  • susanpollard
    susanpollard Member Posts: 14
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Hi,
    thanks for your reply, yeah im on tablets called Salagen, but they havent worked as yet, im a week in, driving me nuts! hey ho but onward and upward is my motto, for now that is!!
    sue
    x x
  • tillytop
    tillytop Member Posts: 3,460
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Hi Sue
    I have a very dry mouth most of the time, I think due either to RA or to medication - doesn't sound as bad as yours but mine causes me a particular problem at night and can be very uncomfortable. I have just started using Biotene dry mouth care toothpaste and mouthwash (I bought mine in Boots) and I noticed a big difference within a week or so - it contains some of the enzymes which are normally contained in saliva and, although it is not intended to cure the problem, it certainly makes me more comfortable. I have also noticed a huge improvement in the condition of my teeth and gums since I have been using it - I didn't know until then that a lack of saliva can cause mouth health problems but my dentist was very impressed with the state of my mouth at my first visit in several years recently. Only downside is that it is expensive but I wouldn't be without it now. Also, don't know if you have tried Boots dry mouth spray - the effect doesn't seem to last long but it is good for a quick burst of relief - I often use it if I wake up with a very dry mouth in the night and you might find that a quick squirt between phone calls gives you some relief. Hope you find something to help you soon. Tillyx
  • skezier
    skezier Member Posts: 11,333
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Hi Sue,

    I can't help but just wanted to say welcome back. Some tablets take a long time to have any effect but is there a spray you could use? Mine has been a bit dry cus of the meds but often I have a problem the other way as swallowing can be a bit of a problem, I really hope it gets better for you. Cris x
  • susanpollard
    susanpollard Member Posts: 14
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    skezier wrote:
    Hi Sue,

    I can't help but just wanted to say welcome back. Some tablets take a long time to have any effect but is there a spray you could use? Mine has been a bit dry cus of the meds but often I have a problem the other way as swallowing can be a bit of a problem, I really hope it gets better for you. Cris x

    Hi everyone, thank you for all your advise, ive bought some toothpaste and mouthwash for dry mouth now, phew needed a second mortgage!! Thanks everyone I really appreciate it, take care
    sue x x :)

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