1. Community
  2. Bones, joints and muscles
  3. Sjogren's Syndrome

Saliva producing meds?

Posted , 9 users are following.

snailj12
snailj12

My saliva production is declining. I also have started having sinus problems due to dryness. I have heard mention of saliva producing meds on here. My rheumatologist has not offered me this. Are the side effects that bad? I have heard mixed reviews. Lack of saliva causes so many other issues and causes need for other meds- antibiotics, etc.  so my question- can anyone who has taken them offer feedback. And do they help with nasal/ sinus dryness? 

0 likes, 23 replies

23 Replies

Next
  • christine26761
    christine26761 snailj12

    Posted

    Hiya snails, really feeling for you that dryness is really horrid and if not fixed it can and will cause other problems..I use various over the counter mouth gems/sprays etc..they are excellent (I also use artificial tears) you just use whatever one works for you..just have a chat to you local chemist/pharmacist and tell them your looking for artificial saliva...their a great help...be blessed snailj, have a lovely day, hope this helps.😍😍🙏🙏

    • snailj12
      snailj12 christine26761

      Posted

      I use the over the counter stuff. I was talking about meds that increase your own saliva production.
    • christine26761
      christine26761 snailj12

      Posted

      Ive never been offered anything else..didnt know there was anything either, grrr.,  what I use works very well, and there are no side effects..be blessed snailj, have a lovely day😍😍

    • aitarg35939
      aitarg35939 christine26761

      Posted

      The only reason that I was offered evoxac was because other Rx saliva-encouragers available at the time made me hyper. My then-rheumo said it was developed as a cholera drug by a Japanese company. It was stupid-expensive and the Japanese blocked generics for a long time.
    • christine26761
      christine26761 aitarg35939

      Posted

      Thanks aitarg, I looked it up, very interesting, I am soooo glad that what I use is good for me..be blessed and have a lovely day.😍😍

    • snailj12
      snailj12 christine26761

      Posted

      Your saliva production may not be as reduced as mine. As far as artificial saliva- I have used biotene mouth ways, gels and sprays. They help temporarily. What is worrying me us I am starting to get cavities which I have never had before. What over the counter products do you use?  Maybe there is something better than biotene.
    • aitarg35939
      aitarg35939 snailj12

      Posted

      I must sound like a broken record but I'll say it again: Biotene cannot replace or activate your saliva. It can help create a healthier stasis in your mouth for a period of hours after proper brushing & rinse with their products right up until a mouthful of food or liquid enters our mouth, and beyond that it can only moisturize somewhat via repeat apps of spray, gel or rinse. But it isn't a medicine and doesn't replace or provoke your saliva.

  • Megheart
    Megheart snailj12

    Posted

    Pilocarpine Hydrochloride for dry mouth. Do some research on it then talk to your doctor about it.

    I have not used it yet but perhaps someone who has, will chip in,

  • aitarg35939
    aitarg35939 snailj12

    Posted

    For at least 15 years I have used evoxac, generic name cevimeline, for increased mouth/eye moisture. In my limited experience & opinion, no one should start it with more than 30 mg daily. At some dosages it may cause increased head sweating; for me that's at prolonged use of 3 doses daily. I didn't go that high on doses until i'd been on it some years. There's always going to be a tradeoff.

    I can't say whether it helps with sinuses as mine were so bad that I'd had my 1st sinus surgery about 14 years before I started on this medicine. There are over the counter battery operated gizmos which force saline solution into your sinuses and using them 1 - 4 times daily is far more effective than using squeeze bottles of saline mist. The roto rooters are infinitely more messy than the squeeze bottles. PM me for more info.

    • aitarg35939
      aitarg35939 snailj12

      Posted

      Yes, both sinus surgeries helped tho in different ways. The 1st put in extra drain holes & fixed some other things and I didn't get another infection for about 10 years. The 2d one was to remove a fungal growth.

      The older we are, the more scarred the sinus lining will be if there have been lots of sinus infections. I was in my 30s when I had that 1st surgery. I would never have had another surgery if we could've gotten that fungus out by other means. Surgery inside the skull is unbelievably painful for several days, especially as compared to all the big abdominal surgeries I've had.

      Yes, evoxac helps tremendously with mouth & eye moisture. I couldn't function without it and would never have continued on any med even for even a year, much less most of this century, if it didn't help me.

    • snailj12
      snailj12 aitarg35939

      Posted

      Sorry to ask you so many questions. That’s what you get for being informative. Have you had teeth problems as a result of decreased saliva and if yes- has the exovac helped? 
    • aitarg35939
      aitarg35939 snailj12

      Posted

      My dentist just said in January that because I use the evoxac, my mouth doesn't show damage from dryness. I needed a root canal because a molar cracked in 2 places at some point without me knowing it. Neither he nor the endodontist felt that this was dryness-related.

      I have had lifelong cavity problems, tho no new ones in 20 years I guess, maybe 30 even. Right now I still need 2 more crowns on molars which have very little tooth left beyond fillings but I have to finish paying off my dentist for the crown he put over the root canal. My experiences with low-income city clinics here have all been bad and the nearest dental school is 100+ miles away.

      I cannot say how helpful evoxac or the pilocarpine hydrochloride or anything else would be for you. You've heard what we've all said so it seems the next step for you, Snailj, is to talk to your doctor.

    • snailj12
      snailj12 aitarg35939

      Posted

      Yes- of course. I would think I would have to. Thx for the feedback.
Back to top
Next

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.