Hello David
Well you are a long time warrior !
You are descibing what most of the patients suffer from. The dry mouth will lessen somewhat but will likely always be problematical . Salivert spray helps some folks . Massage also appears to help with stiffness. There is also a machine named Vital Stim I have heard helps with swallowing .
Are you talking about cortisone injections? and are your anti- inflammatories in the same family as Vioxx ,Bextra?
See, you came on here looking for advice and now we are picking your brain... The time frame your Doc is giving you is pretty accurate..wish I could tell you otherwise.
Take care
Marica