Dry Mouth

susan1069
susan1069 Member Posts: 30
edited March 2014 in Anal Cancer #1
Has anyone had a problem with a dry mouth well after chemo ended? I'm 4 months out from treatment and lately my mouth is sooooo dry I can't stand it. I thought it was from the menopause, but when I asked my gyn, he said he never heard of that before. I didn't have any mouth problems from the 5-FU while in treatment, but I'm worried now about what this dry mouth could mean.

Has anyone else had this problem this long after?

Comments

  • z
    z Member Posts: 1,414 Member
    #2
    dry mouth
    Hi I did not have dry mouth after, but I did suffer with the mouth sores after the 1st cycle of 5fu and mito. I do chew nicorette gum, so I really don't know, since my mouth is always lubricated. Have you tried drinking at least 64 ounces of water a day. As thats what your body needs to have just to function normally, as we are 70% water. I think there are also products made specifically for dry mouth. I would think a natural product would be best. I don't want to put any more chemicals in my body than necessary, and I know I need to quit chewing the gum. I wish you well. Lori
  • mp327
    mp327 Member Posts: 4,440 Member
    #3
    Susan
    You might want to try Biotene toothpaste and mouthwash--I think they are supposed to help with dry mouth issues.
  • sissy310
    sissy310 Member Posts: 300
    #4
    mp327 said:

    Susan
    You might want to try Biotene toothpaste and mouthwash--I think they are supposed to help with dry mouth issues.

    Susan - I used (and still
    Susan - I used (and still use) the biotene toothpaste and mouthwash before and during treatment and now am still using it. I am newly out of treatment but do have some dry mouth issues but I think mine are caused by some meds I am taking. Are you taking any new meds? The biotene product is very gentle on the mouth and gums. I also chew sugarless gum and some lemon drops now and then to keep my mouth moist. Did that during therapy as well as I was terrified of mouth sores. Never got them but I was not about to take any chances. Marilyne
  • susan1069
    susan1069 Member Posts: 30
    #5
    sissy310 said:

    Susan - I used (and still
    Susan - I used (and still use) the biotene toothpaste and mouthwash before and during treatment and now am still using it. I am newly out of treatment but do have some dry mouth issues but I think mine are caused by some meds I am taking. Are you taking any new meds? The biotene product is very gentle on the mouth and gums. I also chew sugarless gum and some lemon drops now and then to keep my mouth moist. Did that during therapy as well as I was terrified of mouth sores. Never got them but I was not about to take any chances. Marilyne

    Dry Mouth
    Thanks, Marilyne. I'm not on any meds whatsoever, except for a low dose vaginal estrogen tablet. I have been using the biotene mouthwash and plan to get the toothpaste also. My concern isn't just treating the symptoms - I'm worried about why my mouth is so dry. (You know how it is - every weird symptom is worrisome.) I'm going to see my regular doc on Monday and I'll ask him. I found a number of women complaining about dry mouth following menopause on the internet, so that's probably all it is, despite what my ob/gyn says. I'll try keeping gum and lemon drops around the house. That is sure to help - thanks!
  • NikiSmith
    NikiSmith Member Posts: 4
    #6
    susan1069 said:

    Dry Mouth
    Thanks, Marilyne. I'm not on any meds whatsoever, except for a low dose vaginal estrogen tablet. I have been using the biotene mouthwash and plan to get the toothpaste also. My concern isn't just treating the symptoms - I'm worried about why my mouth is so dry. (You know how it is - every weird symptom is worrisome.) I'm going to see my regular doc on Monday and I'll ask him. I found a number of women complaining about dry mouth following menopause on the internet, so that's probably all it is, despite what my ob/gyn says. I'll try keeping gum and lemon drops around the house. That is sure to help - thanks!

    Dry Mouth
    Hi Susan, I think you are right to try and find out why your mouth is so dry as it is an important issue - no saliva = no tooth protection. Dry mouth IS an issue for woman going through menopause.

    There are lots of saliva substitutes available, and everyones tastes are different so experiment!

    All the best
  • Pattie13
    Pattie13 Member Posts: 47
    #7
    Dry Mouth
    Susan,
    Sorry I did not post sooner... was under the weather a bit. But Biotene also makes a gum that helps with dry mouth. It is in the mouthwash section with the biotene mouthwash. I get it at Walmart.
    Hugs and Prayers
    Pattie
  • Kathryn in Houston
    Kathryn in Houston Member Posts: 20 Member
    #8

    Coconut water helps. It's an acquired taste but it really helps dry mouth. Swish it around a lot before swallowing. It helped me.. I hope it helps.

  • Beeger
    Beeger Member Posts: 24 Member
    #9

    Oh gosh yes!!! Dry mouth still persists and likely always will as radiation to the pelvis diminishes bone morrow production, (causing suppression) therefore the body cannot replenish normal cell growth~ in the oral cavity amongst other areas. But this definitely causes dry mouth. I like knowing the “whys” and wish more MD’s we’re knowledgeable in all the late effects we experience. For this same reason I still have low blood counts be it stable but it now has nothing to do with past chemo two years ago but suppression to the bone marrow. Bone marrow is primarily produced in the pelvis.

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