[Speed3]

Does anyone have a hard time with really dry mouth and lips from meds you take ? I mean REALLY DRY! I am constantly putting stuff on my lips and haven't found anything that helps. The dry mouth makes me drink lots of water which is good, but talking gets hard sometimes. It is embarrassing.

I take Psyc meds : Tegretol, Seroquel, Ativan, Trazodone, Nuvigil, Nuerontin,Effexor

High blood pressure: clonidine , HCTZ

Low thyroid : cytomel, synthroid

I'll taking any suggestions, Thanks.

[Rose76]

Hi. This is not widely known, but it got recommended for me by a psychiatrist of some eminence. The drug is bethanechol (aka: Urecholine.) I take it two or three times a day. It does juicy up my mouth. The dosage is 25mg.

When I used to drink water, it just washed away what little saliva I had in my mouth. Sucking hard candies a lot made the roof of my mouth sore.

For dry, chapped lips, I have a piece of chewy Italian bread (toasted slightly) dipped in light tasting olive oil sprinkled with a dash of garlic salt and Italian spices. I follow that up with application of some Blistex lip cream. (Popular with professional models.)

If I do drink something, I avoid water and sip something like hot chocolate, or orange juice. A beverage with something in it, or a mug of soup or broth, stimulates saliva secretion. Alcohol only further dries the mouth. A small serving of ice cream/sorbet also helps.

I just found out that Neurontin is drying to the oral cavity, which I hadn't known. Good Luck.

Biotene gets recommended a lot, but it is pricey . . . and not much better.

[faerie_moon_x]

I get thirsty with lithium. But I have naturally dry lips... I like uhm... it starts with a B and is more like a medicine. Sorry. Brain not working...

Carmex actually has stuff in it that dries out your lips more (so don't use it!) And I don't know about chap stick.

A lot of meds cause thirst, though. I would ask your pharmacist which ones and they will also have suggestions about what to do.

I know we are not on the same meds... but I do find that mine leave me with a seriously dry throat and sinuses. makes me cough a lot of times. smoking doesn't help with that much either.

[Speed3]

Originally Posted by Rose76

Hi. This is not widely known, but it got recommended for me by a psychiatrist of some eminence. The drug is bethanechol (aka: Urecholine.) I take it two or three times a day. It does juicy up my mouth. The dosage is 25mg.

When I used to drink water, it just washed away what little saliva I had in my mouth. Sucking hard candies a lot made the roof of my mouth sore.

For dry, chapped lips, I have a piece of chewy Italian bread (toasted slightly) dipped in light tasting olive oil sprinkled with a dash of garlic salt and Italian spices. I follow that up with application of some Blistex lip cream. (Popular with professional models.)

If I do drink something, I avoid water and sip something like hot chocolate, or orange juice. A beverage with something in it, or a mug of soup or broth, stimulates saliva secretion. Alcohol only further dries the mouth. A small serving of ice cream/sorbet also helps.

I just found out that Neurontin is drying to the oral cavity, which I hadn't known. Good Luck.

Biotene gets recommended a lot, but it is pricey . . . and not much better.

Thanks,
I didn't think about the water making it worse. I do use blistex moisture melt.

[~Christina]

I use blistex deep renewal lip stuff.. I have it with me all the time.
I drink about 2 gallons a day, I always have a water bottle with me. ... But at nite I use Biotene it is wonderful.

Prior to drinking all the time and using Biotene I was having alot of dental problems.

Hope you find what will work for you.

[Rose76]

Lots of people tend to not drink enough water/fluids. That seems to be changing, as carrying bottled water has become popular.

Just a word of caution: It is possible to drink too much water. Excess water intake can over-dilute the blood and lead to seizures (because of salt content in blood becoming over-diluted.)

Also, people with weak hearts can get fluid overload that leads to back up of fluid in the lungs. It's good to check with your doctor, who knows you, about what is a good quantity to take in. Plus, what is a good quantity one day may not be the optimal intake on another. That can very according to activity level and heat level in the environment and other things.

[Travelinglady]

I never had that problem--I've always had overactive salivary glands--but every time I went to my pdoc he always mentioned that sucking hard candy could help dry mouth!

[BipolaRNurse]

Trazodone is notorious for its anticholinergic properties (which dry up your mouth and mucous membranes). I've heard of people literally having to keep a water bottle by the bed so they can drink it the instant they wake up.

HCTZ is drying too since it pulls water out of your cells and makes you urinate more often. In fact, much of the medication you're taking causes dry mouth. I've heard there is a prescription drug that helps this, but can't remember what it is. Biotene can also be helpful, though it doesn't work for everybody; I just drink a ton of water and hope for the best.