Okay ladies. Dry mouth is nothing really new for me for many years, but tolerable. In the last week I cannot quench my thirst. My mouth just feels icky! I know I sleep with my mouth wide open because I sometimes away and it is dry down into my throat.
Before anyone tells me to get tested for diabetes. That's not it. I thought of that too, but my husband i diabetic and he tested me this morning. And it is not exercise related. I am not presently on any meds that should cause this that I can think of. I do take alfalfa tabs, and that may be the culprit so I am backing off, but I have taken them for years.
If this doesn't go away in another week I will call the doc, but was just wondering if you ladies had any ideas?
You guys are great! To answer some of your questions. I am drinking ALOT of water and I am hypo-thyroid. That's the only med I take. I was checked in September and it was fine.
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M.C.
answers from
Nashville
on
I really don't have any good advice other than telling you about a commercial I just saw. It's for something called Biotene. A line of dental products you can find at the store. It's specifically for "dry mouth". It talks about how dry mouth can be a side effect of many medications. Anyway, maybe in the meantime, you could go get some of that Biotene and see if it brings you any relief.
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A.G.
answers from
Houston
on
there is a spray, or a toothpaste for that problem, biotene. My friend had dry mouth because of meds and it worked on her.
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P.O.
answers from
Harrisburg
on
Drink pure coconut water!
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R.F.
answers from
Dallas
on
Do you chew gum (sugarless)? I would suggest Biotene and the gum might activate your salivary glands.
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L.R.
answers from
Washington DC
on
You said your husband tested you for diabetes? Unless he's a doctor, you need to get a professional test. Did he use his own blood sugar monitor to test you? Testing with someone else's personal blood sugar monitor is not a full diabetes test. Recently I've seen a couple of newspaper items warning that people are increasingly "home-testing" for diabetes using friends' and relatives' blood sugar monitors -- and they're missing real problems. So please, get to a doctor. Maybe it's not diabetes but do rule it out first and don't self-test; plus a doctor could find other issues that are causing the thirst. I"m saying this as someone who takes diabetes really seriously since two close adult relatives have Type 1 and it's something to handle with a doctor's help. Good luck and please take care.
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K.F.
answers from
New York
on
Drink more water. Perhaps you are dehydrated. You need to drink at least 1 ounce of water for every pound of weight. This would be a great place to start. So get your water bottles ready and get to drinking. Room temp water actually processes better through the body than cold water but getting more water into your system should help.
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S.M.
answers from
Dallas
on
smart water has electrolytes in it and you may be deficient there which may be a problem... I have to second the idea of getting properly tested for Diabetes, just to be 100 % sure as well as getting your thyroid checked. increases your hydrating foods like fruits and veggies, and decrease things that dehydrate like caffeine and alcohol and salt/sodium.
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E.M.
answers from
Honolulu
on
Since Diabetes have been ruled out (though I would get retested as you might be borderline and a doc can test for that.) I am going to ask when you last got your thyroid tested.
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L.L.
answers from
Topeka
on
The heater is on full blast the air is drying & you sleep with your mouth opened drink more water during the day before bedtime & have a glass at your bedside chewing gum may help or sucking on hard candies any medications OTC, herbal, prescription can have the side effect of dry mouth cotton ball feeling or just icky or weird taste.
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H.K.
answers from
New York
on
How about adding some lemon to your water. It is supposed to help quench thirst. Good luck!
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A.M.
answers from
Dallas
on
since it seems like it has just come on full blast in the last week or so - could it be that it is just so cold outside and so dry inside that you are dehyrdated? maybe try a humidifier on in the house and see if that helps. drink tons of water...if you are thirsty then that means you are already dehydrated.
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R.K.
answers from
New York
on
I know this is an old question but I have had dry mouth for a few years because of radioactive iodine treatment which damaged my saliva glands. Biotene is great. There is a toothpaste, mouth wash, gum and a spray. I don't use them all all the time but the mouth wash is my favorite. Sometimes peoples saliva glands just dont work as well as others.
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S.S.
answers from
Los Angeles
on
when water doesnt quench my thirst, i turn to watermelon and pink grapefruits. those always do the trick for me!
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B.W.
answers from
Dallas
on
As the mom of a child with type 1 and the sister of one as well I would like to know if your hubby tested you fasting and an hour after eating and what the numbers were. Home bg monitors depending on the brand can be off +/- 30% or more....and is your hubby type 1 or type 2? makes a difference in looking at numbers.......good luck!
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M.G.
answers from
Atlanta
on
Do you drink wine or have cocktails in the evening. That can cause dry mouth.
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D.B.
answers from
Charlotte
on
.
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L.A.
answers from
Minneapolis
on
Maybe your electrolytes are out of balance. There are many drinks fortified with electrolytes you can try. Alacer makes a powder to put into water if you want to try that one too.
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A.F.
answers from
St. Cloud
on
Hi P.! Have you tried running a humidifier in your home? Also, you got a GREAT suggestion for drinking coconut water. It's the most hydrating liquid there is.
As far as warning you against a "home diabetes test", my husband and both of my kids have Type 1 diabetes. Even on a home meter, your blood sugar would be high enough to know that something was wrong. With Type 2, your sugar would be elevated and with Type 1 your number would be at LEAST 200 points above average and you would see other symptoms. So there is nothing wrong with checking your blood with your husband's meter. It's not a substitute for medical testing, so go get checked if your number was on the high end of normal.
It absolutely could be the alfalfa supplement. Call the company and see if they have had similar complaints.
Good luck!
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M.R.
answers from
Chicago
on
Try drinking Gatorade. By drinking tons of water, your urine output will be higher thus potentially contributing to the dehydration. Yes, I know it sounds weird but you may be flushing out vital minerals by drinking a whole lot of water.