Topic: not making enough saliva/how do I make more?
hiker53
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 6046
posted
Recently the doctor changed my seizure med to zonegran and I noticed I constantly had a dry mouth and got a gum infection and could barely swallow. (That was only one of the side effects--nausea, diarrhea, and weak muscles were some of the others).
Needless to say I am no longer on zonegran, but I still have the dry mouth and worry it will affect my teeth and gums.
Aside from lots of water and chewing gum, does anyone have suggestions on how to make more saliva? Thanks. Hiker
-------------------- Hiker53
"God is light. In Him there is no darkness." 1John 1:5 Posts: 8879 | From Illinois | Registered: Aug 2004
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cantgiveupyet
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 8165
posted
my dr once prescribed for me this stuff called salivart(spelling)
this was back in 2000 when i was first bit and having problems. i never did use it, but it is supposed to help increase saliva.
-------------------- "Say it straight simple and with a smile."
"Thus the task is, not so much to see what no one has seen yet, But to think what nobody has thought yet, About what everybody sees."
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pos babs, bart, igenex WB igm/igg Posts: 3156 | From Lyme limbo | Registered: Oct 2005
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bettyg
Unregistered
posted
look up Sjorgren's disease ... this is what you have also; I've had it for decades. running late for something, no time for more details... Betty
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posted
I think xylitol gum is supposed to be good for the gums.
I'm sorry you've got one more thing to suffer through!
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96222 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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GiGi
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 259
posted
One of the worst things you can do if you have mercury in your teeth or still in your gums, etc. - is to chew gum.
Every time you activate your jaw, you are mobilizing the nasty metal.
Normal saliva flow will come back once you get rid of the many neurotoxins, putting your autonomics (Autonomic Nervous System) back into balance. I went through that. Some people do the opposite and they have a dripping mouth that they can't seem to stop - don't know which is worse!
I know it is possible to do it - because I can hardly remember how bad it once was.
Take care.
Posts: 9834 | From Washington State | Registered: Oct 2000
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posted
Have you ever had salivia problems before??
If so, this is a prominent symptom of facial palsy.
Its one of those physical SIGNS we hear so much about from the DUCKS.
Another thing to look for is to ask someone whether your eyelids close all the way when you are sleeping.
Posts: 559 | From Cary, NC | Registered: May 2006
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hiker53
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 6046
posted
Thanks for your replies.
Lymescience: Never thought of facial palsy. I live alone, so I guess I will have to find a friend to watch me nap.
Gigi--I wish I could deal with the neurotoxins, but my seizures are so bad that the dentist will not remove the amalgram fillings. One jerk and the drill is through the lips, cheek, gums, or messing up other teeth. I will not have the teeth pulled as they are otherwise healthy and one is near the front.
Betty, thanks for the idea about sjogrens. I will look it up.
Why is Lyme so complicated? Hiker
-------------------- Hiker53
"God is light. In Him there is no darkness." 1John 1:5 Posts: 8879 | From Illinois | Registered: Aug 2004
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riversinger
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 4851
posted
hiker, Biotene makes a line of products for dry mouth. They are over the counter, available at most drug stores. There is a toothpaste, gum, and an oral gel that substitutes for saliva. They all contain the enzymes that are in saliva, to protect your teeth and gums. I found they work pretty well. My dentist recommended them to me.
posted
first: sjorgen's syndrome can be secondary to lyme disease but is also a symptom of lyme disease itself. ss is dx by blood tests ana, several others, but like lyme is positive 20% of the time. it is predominently female disorder 90% women to 10% man. dry mouth is only one symptom of ss and also includes dry eyes and dry skin, from lack of sweat in sweat glands. again all these can also be symptoms of lyme.
second. there is no know cure but paliative treatment is required. artifical tears, artificial salivary, xylitol sour candies stimulate saliva, lots of water if it is hot because body can't cool itself.
third: removal of anticholinergic drugs will allow the normal return of these glands, however, if ss or lyme these symptoms may never reverse and may deal with them a long time. sometimes anticholinergics will decrease gland production for up to 1 year before normalcy returns. oral tetracylcine rinses will decrease the amount of bacteria in the mouth and decrease the periodontal disease. some hints:
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