Hi to the world. Just found this web site and I am relieved to see that I am not a complete nut and there are other people out there zapped from the big C cures. I am a genuine Irish "Paddy" , 18 months postradical neck surgery, tonsilectomy, chemo (cysplatin) and 38 course radiation. Tumor in the tonsil and 1 stage III and 2 stage II lymph nodes. Doing pretty well with one exception.

"Please tell me that there is somebody out there with a remedy for lack of sleep due to dry mouth."

On the cure side "Arthur Guinness" is a pretty good remedy for weight loss.

For now " Sleepless in Galway"

Hi there sleepless in Gallway. Well John enjoy the stars if they ever come out in Ireland because I have dry mouth also. I take the dog out for his ablutions to get me tired again. About every hour or so I have to get up and pour water into my mouth and blow my cheeks off my teeth and pry my tongue off the roof of my mouth. Isn't it a fun game to play. I guess you'r on the liquid diet too? I mix an ounce or so of Jamesons in with my mega shakes helps convince me to keep drinking the high protein stuff. Guinness is good for anything so keep up the good work, just add uncle Jamie or Bushmills as desert and all will be well. Everyone says alcohol is evil and adds to dry mouth. Horse puckies, you can't get any dryer than the Sahara.
I was born in England to Irish parents who's family emigrated there from Ballaghaderreen, Co Roscommon,formerly county Mayo Ireland. SO we are southern catholic folk (ha ha) and if anyone knows about drink it's them guys. I've long since moved to Canada and have a wonderfull family and my strength comes from my wife who supports me and pushes me to stay alive, shes a wonderfull colleen. Our family name is Towey and their having a reunion in Ireland this August, I can't make it 'cause of this cancer radiation teatment recovery still hanging on
These cold winter nights in Ontario make for good star gazing. Start with the the plough (big dipper) and from there find the North star. It'll take your mind off a bunch of stuff and you don't need any equipment. Venus is the bright star in the North East just after sunset, she's pretty bright. Have fun and sleep in shifts. Use any kind of enzyme charged mouth washes for the dry mouth they work for a few minutes but untill they invent pumpable artificial spit enjoy the stars and Jamies. Dan

Paddy
You might want to dry having a humidifier in your bedroom, every little bit of moisture helps. Are you rinsing with Biotene or whatever you can get there..ask the chemist he should be able to help you.
My hubby is a scouser, you know, an Irishman that can swim...lol.
Best of luck to you.
Marica

John,

My mother's name was O'Gorman and my father's was Hastings. A Irish and English marriage filled with constant fireworks and excitement to say the least. Both were so stubborn it's a wonder I turned out so perfect. LOL

I swril Biotene or the other one before I go to bed and whenever the cats wake me and I don't have any problems, but each of us is different.

May the Luck of the Irish be with you.

I did not have radiation, but I do have a dry mouth problem related to my surgery. I keep a mister bottle, used to mist plants, beside my bed. I wake numerous times a night with my tongue stuck to the roof of my mouth, and my lips stuck to my teeth. I mist all around,,,,down my throat, beside my cheeks....along my front teeth....and I end up with a little drink, without having to tip a cup or bottle, and without having to worry about spilling. I hate waking up, but I am thankful to have discovered my mister bottle. I can not get much relief from just the humidifier.

I also put a little vaseline on my front teeth, and it helps keep them from sticking to my dry lips.

What is Biotene? How is it used, and how does it work, and where does one get it...ie. prescrip. or OTC?

John,

Beautiful area there! Spent a couple of days there on the way to Connemara.

Sleeping with a humidifier is about the best thing to try. Also, Biotene has an oral cream type product for dry mouth and it helps to use this for coating your mouth before sleep. I keep it at bedside at night in the event of waking.

Tell us more of the details in your case.

Bill D.

Colleen -- Biotene makes an entire product line (mouthwash, toothpaste, oral spray, gel, and gum) specifically designed for people with dry mouth problems. I've found them to be extremely helpful, as have many others here. They don't require a prescription, and most of the major drug stores have them. I've also found them at Costco -- not on the regular, bulk shelves but behind the pharmacy counter. I think they may also be available at Wal-Mart.

John C. -- in addition to some of the other suggestions above, if you haven't tried any of the medications made to increase saliva production, you might want to ask about them. I've been using Salagen (oral pilocarpine) for years, and it has definitely made a difference for me, although I know the results can vary from person to person. Another medication for this purpose is Evoxac (I don't know if there's a generic name), which I haven't tried, but quite a few people here have noticed real improvement with it.

Cathy

Hi there Sleepless in Galway - My son also experienced sleepless nites because of dry mouth and tried all sorts of things but for him what really worked was "Stoppers 4Dry Mouth" - available over the counter at drugstores like Walgreens. The first time he tried it he was able to sleep through the night. He also uses a warm air humidifier. Sometimes you have to try different things before finding what works for you.

Just a note re "stoppers" - they soon will be off the shelves. Their product infringes patents owned by Biotene, and the resulting lawsuit is likely going to take the product away. But since the active ingredients in it and in the Biotene products are so similar, its removal from the marketplace will not leave us without products that work well.

I've had a prescription filled for Evoxac since June of 06 but haven't dared take any of it! Can you believe that? All I've been through and for some reason this medication scares me, not sure why other then I've heard it may make you vomit and the thought of doing that on my damaged throat is scary. Anyone else taking it?