Question: saliva

michka · 01-10-2011, 02:26 AM

I wanted to post this question for a long time but thought it was not interesting for others and I have other side effects. But today, I really want to know if this happened to some of you:
After my 3 rounds of FEC and 12 weeks of Taxol/Herceptin I had to drink all the time. I was drinking 3 liters a day. The onc said it would diminish. I had radiation including all the chest nodes and in fact, with time, I realized that I had very little saliva. I drink less, maybe a little more than 2 liters a day but I absolutely need to take sips of water during the night. My mouth completely dries up at night and my lips stick to my gums. During the day, only if I do not talk or eat for a long time do I feel my mouth dry up. And then I drink or eat chewing gum. The onc just writes it down if I complain and says nothing. And my dentist nothing either and says "it happens". Did this happen to one of you? It is not the worse but an additional side effect to cope with. I am concerned about my teeth because it is bad not to have saliva.
Did you ever hear about this kind of problem? Thanks. Michka

Mary L · 01-10-2011, 09:22 AM

Michka, I have the same problem after my chemo. I drink alot of water and it's never enough to quench my thirst. I have asked my onc and family Dr. and they tell me to drink alot of water and take AquaDrops for hydration. They work but it is temporary. They have them in the drugstore. I guess it's something we have to live with. Best Wishes!!! Mary L

anna4969 · 01-10-2011, 11:59 AM

Michka

My dentist noticed very little saliva the last time I had a 6 month checkup and suggested using Biotene. Apparently it can help with dry mouth and she was concerned too and said it is not a good thing for your teeth to not have enough saliva. Please let us know if you choose to try this as I never did because my symptoms subsided.

Sheila · 01-11-2011, 06:15 AM

Michka
I have had this off and on and Biotene makes a substance in a tube called OralBalance that is for dry mouth....it works, i have used it and also my Mother used it. Seems some chemo dry out the membranes more and the mouth is one of the first. Can you get this product at a pharmacy or store there, it does not require a prescription....or maybe your dentist?
Hope this helps!

Becky · 01-12-2011, 08:07 AM

I have this problem but never brought it up on the board because I thought it was "just me". I am very dry. I wake up at night to drink a whole glass of water (and that doesn't make me pee more either). I have cotton mouth most mornings.

And it might be just the way we are and how we change and age. I was very thirsty during chemo and you are told to drink alot.

I also think, for me, it has worsened as about 5 years ago I moved to a house that has forced hot air heat versus radiators (that the old house had) and forced hot air heat is very, very drying.

harrie · 01-18-2011, 12:49 AM

Funny, when I had chemo, I had the exact opposite problem. I had excess salivation!
The dry mouth, also known as xerostomia, can be quite a problem. It also can increase your risk of decay. The worst thing you can do is to suck on hard candies to alleviate the dry mouthy. Biotene is a good product for dry mouth. You need to be meticulous with the oral hygiene because the plaque will adhere to the teeth much more readily. Brush, floss, and use of an oral irrigator also might be very helpful.

sassy · 01-18-2011, 10:22 PM

I have the same problem and have wondered if the anti-hormonal drugs may contribute. I take a diuretic, so I'm sure that contributes, but I had the problem before taking the diuretic.

StephN · 01-18-2011, 10:47 PM

In France the Pharmacy must have some equivalent to Biotene.

I use Biotene toothpaste as well as mouthwash. These dry mouth products are great for me. Used them for 10 years now.
I did have excess saliva on some of my chemos, but not after stopping the drugs.

My husband also uses the products and his gum problems cleared up and he had had no more bad teeth to extract since using them. He has type 1 diabetes.

michka · 01-20-2011, 01:26 AM

Thanks to all for your answers. It is never referenced that loss of saliva could be a permanent side effect of our treatments except for people having mouth or throat radiation. No doctor ever told me that there existed special products. So I followed your advice and went to the Pharmacy. I found mouthwash and a sort of paste you put on your gums and tongue at night. It is not a very good taste but it works for me. It is a relief because I sleep better. Before I had to sip water all the time and then, of course, get up very often. It sounds like a detail compared to the rest of my problems but it counts to try not to cope with too many issues at a time. I was embarrassed to ask about this but I am so happy I did post. Thank you again! Michka

KDR · 01-20-2011, 10:17 AM

Hi, Michka
Biotene was recommended to me and it works well.
Hope you are well,

Jean · 01-20-2011, 10:41 PM

Micha,
You are wise to be concerned about your teeth and gums. Saliva protects our mouths and teeth.
Continue to keep sipping water to keep your mouth
wet. Go to see your dentist more often for clean up and checkups since plaque will build up more. It is also critical to brush your teeth before going to bed, in order to stimulate saliva flow.

Increasing the humidity in the house, usually by running a cool air humidifier at night, also helps to alleviate symptoms of dry mouth. Make sure the gum you are chewing is sugar free and hard sugar free candy helps keep the mouth moist.

The chemo drugs can cause this condition along with other meds.

Jean

TSund · 02-16-2011, 07:32 PM

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AlaskaAngel · 02-16-2011, 07:46 PM

I have never noticed having a dry mouth at all, but the dental tech and dentist say I do have less saliva even so. I received a chemo regimen that is less common (CAF) and did not have any taxane or an aromatase inhibitor or any trastuzumab, for what that is worth.

I do not believe dry mouth is actually related to chemo at all, but related to the drop in estrogen level throughout the body that is brought on by treatment. Estrogen seems to be a general body lubricant, and when the level of estrogen drops, joints can be drier, eyes can be drier, skin can be drier, so why not the mouth as well? My eyes often are drier, and my ears sure have much much less cerumen.

AlaskaAngel

harrie · 02-17-2011, 12:10 AM

Some of the secondary meds such as benedryl to help prevent allergic reactions can cause dry mouth. There may be other meds with similar side effects even if the chemo itself may or may not create the problem.

baaustin · 02-17-2011, 12:55 AM

Definitely get the Biotene toothpaste and mouth rinse, there is also a biotin gum that works well.