Dry mouth - the gift that doesn't keep giving

Hi Ozzy. It does improve. It’s just time but you can speed things up a bit. Chewing gum I’m sure stimulates whatever salivary function remains. I had a course of acupuncture which kick started my saliva. There is a particular kind called Auricular Acupuncture that is designed to act in the salivary glands. I have two entries in my blog, linked at the bottom of my post.  One of them has a lively discussion in the comments. 
One tip. Instead of sipping water and washing away what saliva is there it can be better to use a warm water spray. 
my saliva was very much better after a year and I very soon abandoned my water bottle entirely. 
I do always, though, have sugar free gum in my pocket. 
I use xylimelts at night to keep my mouth moist but still need the odd sip of water. I can do this in my sleep. 
At first I used two but four years on I’m down to one. 
I suspect I will always need to. 

Thanks for the reply and really useful tips, I'll definitely try acupuncture (I'll probably try anything). And great to hear some positivity in that it is likely to improve. I'm as impatient as the rest of us and a lot of negative thoughts come and go post treatment. 

I couldn't see a link to your post but I'll do a search. 

All the best

Ozzy said:

I couldn't see a link to your post but I'll do a search. 

https://todaymycoffeetasteslikechristmasincostarica.com/2019/12/21/acupuncture-the-experiment-has-started/

todaymycoffeetasteslikechristmasincostarica.com/.../

Hello. I’m nearly 14 months post treatment for tonsil & lymph node hpv 16 positive. I had 6 weeks of chemoradiation. I have had several sessions of acupuncture - auricular & other body points. My mouth is much less dry & I don’t need to constantly drink water. I was using Xylimelts at night but can go most nights without now. I usually wake once & have a sip of water. 
I, like Beesuit, always have sugar free gum in my pockets, bag…. It stimulates saliva, refreshes my mouth & helps clean my teeth if I can’t get to actually brush them. 

Hi Ozzu  I’m almost  5 years now and it does get better but takes time. I never thought it would but it died. Sadly 4 weeks is early it’s a case of head down. Water will be your friend I’m lucky i 

Like water sad I know. Sugar feee gin snd acupuncture helped me. Try a small spray bottle with water ti refresh your mouth as well. One week becomes 2 then slowly you notice small improvements. I’m sat here salivating never thought I would but you will. Night time I still use xyimelts  during the night normal peoples saliva reduces so us unlucky ones need a bit of help. I take a small glass of water to bed

As for food it will happen  one day. you might not get any pleasure but I took the mantra food is fuel and by 6-8 weeks I was eating 50% orally snd remainder via ensures. My tube was out week 3 so it was a case if having to eat. It was my choice. my blog below might help. 
Hazel. 

Hi Hazel

I must look out for that sugar free gin you mentioned sounds great although I'm sure it was a typo.

My mouth was so dry after my last 2 reconstructive surgeries and I was relying on biotene gel at night on my tongue which worked fairly well. In the last week my saliva has come into it's own and I seem to have heaps. Never heard of before since my last radiotherapy 4 years ago. Unfortunately a bit too much as my lip on one side doesn't meet properly after my surgery I seem to be continually drooling and mopping it up. Never thought that would happen. It's a bit of a nuisance but better than the dry mouth.

Lyn

Hi Ozzy,

as ladies told you - it will takes time, but you will get there  

i am 10 months passed treatment and every day is getting better and better. I had acupuncture and really helped me for dry mouth, really works for me. God luck and all will get better  

Marta x

I too tried acupuncture. What a waste of time. Luckily I had a course at local Macmillan centre free and a private acupuncturist that although was rubbish made me feel really relaxed. Wow so in that respect she was amazing but did not treat me. The gum is definitely good as is the night time pills one takes that you stick up under your gums, oralieve dry mouth gel,and  gelclair that got from the oncology unit. 

Everything helps just try them. Hang in there and fight it

Nick

Germolene said:

I too tried acupuncture

What sort? Where did the needles go? 
Was it especially for saliva? 
It doesn’t work for everybody 

What sort? Standard acupuncture although not sure exactly. It certainly wasn't the one mentioned earlier 

where did the needles go? In body all over the shop as I asked for acupuncture for lymphoedema 

Was it especially for saliva? No
It doesn’t work for everybody correct lucky for appts were free