Hi,

I heard someone today say they were considering Salagen to help dry mouth symptoms. My problem is I wake up every hour at night due to a severe dry mouth. When I drink water it burns, as the post radiation blisters are still healing. After a few minutes however the burn subsides and then I go to sleep for another hour or so.

Any suggestions regarding Salagen or anything else I can do to get a good night's sleep would be helpful. I hate taking drugs, but will consider if it will help more than hurt.

Thanks in advance!

Chetan

do a search on the boards (upper right hand corner) for the word salagen, it has been discussed here several times. Most didn't find it useful, a few did. All those conversations are in the archives. I didn't like it because it didn't help my mouth much and made be sweat like crazy all the time.

From my research, I found that it is not very effective so not going for it. My dad's re-radiation has started today (60Gy/30) He will be on olive oil post radiation like last time.

Olive oil? Well thats natural, and probably a good lubricant ! Did you try the biotene chetan?

Yes Cheryl, Olive oil helped my dad post his previous radiotherapy. He used to swish his mouth with teaspoon full of olive oil and sleep interruptions were significantly minimized.

And, this time Sesame oil helped him heal chemo-induced-mucositis quickly. Sometimes natural products are of more help.

Chetan, just try Extra Virgin Olive Oil once and see if it helps you.

Hi Eshwar and Cheryl,

Eshwar - hope your dad does well. I will pray for him. I will try the extra virgin olive oil tongiht. Do you basically swish it around and then spit? How long should I swish?

Cheryl - which Biotene product was particularly useful. They have a number of products - gel, mouthwash, etc.

Thanks very much for your input!

Best Regards,
Chetan

Chetan, just swish it around for 1-2 minutes to lubricate the mouth and you can then swallow. You may increase the quantity if you feel alright.

Right now I'm using the gel - it's small and portable - I'm not dry all the time just if I talk too much! I Also use the toothpaste I'm still dry in the morning but it takes less time to bounce back - as for sleeping no interruptions except to get up to go to the washroom - once - I'm just too tired when go to bed to get up multiple times - once I'm out - I'm pretty much out ! good luck chetan! And take care!