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Main Forums => Living With HIV => Topic started by: bobik on September 27, 2006, 03:33:43 am

Title: Dry mouth
Post by: bobik on September 27, 2006, 03:33:43 am
Hello everyone,

could a very dry mouth be medicationrelated? I am on Reyataz/Norvir; Videx; Viread; Epivir.

Coen
Title: Re: Dry mouth
Post by: newt on September 27, 2006, 04:49:50 am
Yep, any or all of the meds possibly.

 - matt
Title: Re: Dry mouth
Post by: IzPoz on September 27, 2006, 06:39:40 am
I think I recall having dry mouth when I was taking Videx.  Just remember to hydrate yourself properly (with water... not soda, tea, etc... ).
Title: Re: Dry mouth
Post by: Just John on September 27, 2006, 10:15:44 am
Hi Coen, like you I'm on Viread and Epivir, but also with Viramune and have a constantly dry mouth and throat which my Doc says is down to the medication. The only advice he gave me was to take lots of water throughout the day and use a general mouthwash twice a day. I find mine is much worse at night for some reason, it seems like just one of those things we have to put up with but it may be worth mentioning it to your Doc on your next visit to see if he can suggest anything else which might help.

John.
Title: Re: Dry mouth
Post by: bobik on September 27, 2006, 10:24:06 am
I wish I could figure out which medication it is: I am a singer and with a dry mouth and throat it is not nice singing. I remember being completely dried out from Crixivan, dry skin etc. But that did not affect my mouth. Really annoying, and it is new for me, I am on these meds for 2 years already!

Thanks for your reactions everybody?

Coen
Title: Re: Dry mouth
Post by: Terry on September 27, 2006, 11:57:14 am
My dentist gave me a gum specifically for a dry mouth problem. It is amazing how easily chewing the gum creates sufficient amounts of saliva.
Dry mouth is a serious problem because it helps to promote tooth decay and gum disease.

Any drug store/pharmacy carries it.
Title: Re: Dry mouth
Post by: blondbeauty on September 27, 2006, 01:15:44 pm
Coen, despite I drink two large glasses of water with my meds (almost one litre of water) I wake up really thirsty.
My father suffers from dry mouth after his radiotherapy for his tongue and throat cancer. He uses "xerostom" or "biotene". Both brands have mouthwash, bioadhesive gels and toothpaste. They contain all the enzymes in the saliva.
Title: Re: Dry mouth
Post by: J.R.E. on September 27, 2006, 03:11:29 pm
Hello Coen,

Some medications can cause dry mouth. Does not necessarily have to be HIV meds either. I am on Viramune, Epzicom, and  Viread, and I did have a little problem in the very begginning, after starting HAART. I do not have that problem now.


Just a suggestion, if you use mouth wash regularly, try to avoid those mouthwashes that have alcohol content !! This was also recommended by my dentist a long time ago. Stick with those mouthwashes, that use natural enzymes, and are alcohol free.



Take care------Ray
Title: Re: Dry mouth
Post by: Eldon on September 27, 2006, 10:31:06 pm
Hi Coen,

Here is a write-up on "Dry Mouth" I thought that this may be useful to you:

http://www.umanitoba.ca/outreach/wisdomtooth/drymouth.htm (http://www.umanitoba.ca/outreach/wisdomtooth/drymouth.htm)

Also, yes meds to have some sort of relation to this.



Make the BEST of each Day!
Title: Re: Dry mouth
Post by: bobik on September 28, 2006, 05:46:21 pm
Again, thanks all of you for the information. I'll talk about it with my doc, see what he thinks. The problem with chewing gum is that I can't use it while singing. The funny thing is it isn't all the time. In the morning it is worst and late in the evening. Strange.

Coen
Title: Re: Dry mouth
Post by: Moffie65 on September 28, 2006, 05:50:33 pm
Coen,

Just a reminder; you should be drinking at least 3 to 4 liters a day of pure, unadulterated water.  If you think you mouth is dry, you should see your inside glands.  We must drink loads of water, as the medications and the virus itself cause the body to not retain liquid very well. 

Please drink more water, it is simple, and very effective. 

In Love.
Title: Re: Dry mouth
Post by: Terry on September 28, 2006, 06:00:29 pm

The strange thing about the gum is that it gets your saliva going then you spit it out. It’s not something you have to use 24/7. It is practically tasteless also. I have permanent bridgework in my mouth, which my dentist thought of before suggesting my using it.

 ;D
Title: Re: Dry mouth
Post by: whizzer on September 28, 2006, 06:19:51 pm
Chewing gum for dry mouth:

http://www.laclede.com/products/gum.asp (http://www.laclede.com/products/gum.asp)