What do you do for dry eyes/mouth?

[LauraRN]

I have moderate Sjogren's. It has attacked my eyes and mouth and wierdly, my feet. They are so dry they are unbearable. I am 47 now and have always had greasy, greasy oily skin. My scalp, face and neck are still very greasy, but the rest of me is like a dead leaf. I use Refresh for my eyes (I use it like an eyewash almost) and use PM toothpaste for the gross mouth. Just searching for some tips for my dry feet.

[Jean from GA]

Dear LauraRN,
I, too, have Sjogren's with dry eyes, nose, ears(believe it or not!) and mouth along with alligator skin all over and rheumatoid arthritis in my hands and feet. Bathing in baby oil has turned out to be a big plus for me - just don't forget to dry out the tub or else the next user is in for a surprise. I use Nivea body lotion for extra dry skin. Using some type of gentle brush to exfoliate helps get rid of some of the dead skin.I've used Refresh and Refresh PM, but now since they are so expensive I've started using Murine Artificial Tears (not plus, just regular). I go through a bottle about every two days. I take Plaquenil and Celebrex 200mg (together over $200 for a month's supply!!)2x a day for the arthritis and fatigue. I'm sure you know that there's a lot more to Sjogren's than just dry eyes and skin. I'm glad that yours seems to be just "medium". I've found that I can tell when my IC is going to flare by the "metallic" taste I get in my mouth caused by Sjogren's. Usually, they both flare together or one after the other with Sjogren's being first. I hope this lengthy note has helped. Feel free to e-mail me if you like.
Best wishes,
Jean
[email protected]

[Carolyn B]

Hi, This is something that works for my dry feet(real cheap too) Mix sugar two or three
Tablespoons with one tablespoon olive oil.
Rub it into your feet and it takes all the dry skin off, When you rinse it off it leaves
your feet smooth and silky. Put a pair of socks on and you are ready to go. Carolyn B

[sue041]

Originally posted by LauraRN:
I have moderate Sjogren's. It has attacked my eyes and mouth and wierdly, my feet. They are so dry they are unbearable. I am 47 now and have always had greasy, greasy oily skin. My scalp, face and neck are still very greasy, but the rest of me is like a dead leaf. I use Refresh for my eyes (I use it like an eyewash almost) and use PM toothpaste for the gross searching for some tips for my dry feet.

Hi I have dry eyes and mouth I thought it was from the medicne, but I just keep drinking water and put like morine in my eyes, what is the Sj something disease does it go with i c, Please send me a e mail Sue email [email protected] thanks to all

[yvette]

Hi Laura, I know how irritating dry eyes and mouth can be. My symptoms usually occur from taking several meds together. Maybe some of these products can offer you releif too.
Dry eyes: Drops,like visine there are many OTC brands to choose from. I think what you're using sounds like its working pretty well.

Dry Mouth: Biotene Dry Mouth Gum works wonders and its not going to give you cavaties. Its sweetened with Xylitol. And it doesn't aggaravate my IC like artificial sweetners do. I also have Biotene toothpaste which works really well. Both of those products really get the Saliva going. Biotene also makes a artficial saliva--I have some but I haven't used it yet. The idea of having tubed saliva creeps me out a bit
Dry skin: Corn huskers lotion or this product called "Glysomed" works great for really dry skin. Vitamin E Oil works great too, adn you don't need alot--a little goea a long way!

Oh I almsot forgot. I also have an Rx, from my dentist, for a toothpaste called Prevadent. Its to help with the dry mouth because Dry mouth can lead to nasty bad breath and you'll end up getting A LOT of cavaties.
I hope that helped you some!\
y.

[ICNDonna]

My son-in-law, who is an ophthalmologist told me to use plain artificial tears --- if the bottle says it "gets the red out" --- don't use it. It doesn't really matter what brand. I also get a dry mouth from medications --- I take frequent drinks, carry Altoid Cinnamon mints for in the car, etc., and brush my teeth frequently.

I've been having dry skin too, but I think it's related to the cold weather (I hope). My feet and hands get so dry they crack open. I haven't found a real solution yet.

Hugs,
Donna

[rightnote]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by LauraRN:
[B]I have moderate Sjogren's. It has attacked my eyes and mouth and wierdly, my feet.

If you have Sjogrens and cystitis, I bet you are using aspartame (Equal,NutraSweet) either knowingly in sugar-free gum and cola or unknowingly in OTC laxatives, vitamins, prescription drugs such as Augmentin.

If this is indeed the cause, if you stop ingesting this neurotoxic artificial sweetener you could be well in 60 days or sooner.

In 1995, the FDA was forced to reveal, under the Freedon of Information Act, 92 symptomse caused by aspartame. Change in vision is No. 6--other urogenital is No. No.27, difficulty with urination is No. 40 and change in urine volume is No. 46 and evidence of blood in urine is No. 60.

My best prayers for everyone's complete recovery.
Righnote

[This message has been edited by ICNDonna (edited 01-22-2001).]

[LauraRN]

[quote]Originally posted by rightnote:
[b]

Originally posted by LauraRN:
I have moderate Sjogren's. It has attacked my eyes and mouth and wierdly, my feet.

If you have Sjogrens and cystitis, I bet you are using aspartame (Equal,NutraSweet) either knowingly in sugar-free gum and cola or unknowingly in OTC laxatives, vitamins, prescription drugs such as Augmentin.

If this is indeed the cause, if you stop ingesting this neurotoxic artificial sweetener you could be well in 60 days or sooner.

In 1995, the FDA was forced to reveal, under the Freedon of Information Act, 92 symptomse caused by aspartame. Change in vision is No. 6--other urogenital is No. No.27, difficulty with urination is No. 40 and change in urine volume is No. 46 and evidence of blood in urine is No. 60.

My best prayers for everyone's complete recovery.
Righnote

[This message has been edited by ICNDonna (edited 01-22-2001).]

Hi-
Thanks for the info. I cannot take vitamins or minerals of any kind as they set my bladder on fire. I am not a soda/cola drinker. I have never had the drug Augmentin- yet, anyway. I cannot stand artificial sweetners, the bitter/wierd taste is just too gross for me. I do have to chew tons of gum now as I barely have any saliva. I chew Trident even tho I have TMJ. I will check labels to see if the companies are listing aspartame. Thanks. LauraRN

[icnmgrjill]

I also have VERY BADLY dried eyes and moderate dry mouth. I wake up atleast twice a night to put drops in my eyes... would you believe. My IC doesn't wake me up anymore.. but my eyes do. That's one reason why you don't see me as much in the boards... as I can only take a certain amount of time each day on the computer.. and since this is my work.. I pretty much have to stop after 8 hours or so.

I've tried every drop out there.. and found that anything with polyvinyl alcohol just made my eyes much worse. Those made with methylcellulose are much more soothing. So... the drops I use are Tears Naturale or Bion Tears. They are more expensive (I get them at Costco) .. but, darn it, they feel the best and really sooth my eyes. Things like hypotears and murine just burn so badly that I can't tolerate them. I recommend them highly as the best. I should have stock in the company I buy so much.

As for the dry mouth, think BIOTENE. This company makes a variety of products for people with dry mouths.. including toothpaste, an awesome mouthwash, gum, and a really neat mouth gel for those moments when my inner lips are so dry that I can't even tolerate it.

I also very easily get mouthsores. My TMJ has my jaw so easily displaced that if I eat and talk, I easily bite my lip.. which I managed to do about ten times last night out at a restaurant with my da. So... my lip now has a good smear of orabase to numb it.. Ugggh...

I can say that once I started the biotene products (which I only use say once or twice a week).. my rate of cavities at the gum line is way down. I had no cavities during my last check up... which was a first. I'd usually have a tiny one somewhere at the gum line.. from the dry mouth.

Hope that helps. - Jill

[LauraRN]

Originally posted by icnmgrjill:
I also have VERY BADLY dried eyes and moderate dry mouth. I wake up atleast twice a night to put drops in my eyes... would you believe. My IC doesn't wake me up anymore.. but my eyes do. That's one reason why you don't see me as much in the boards... as I can only take a certain amount of time each day on the computer.. and since this is my work.. I pretty much have to stop after 8 hours or so.

I've tried every drop out there.. and found that anything with polyvinyl alcohol just made my eyes much worse. Those made with methylcellulose are much more soothing. So... the drops I use are Tears Naturale or Bion Tears. They are more expensive (I get them at Costco) .. but, darn it, they feel the best and really sooth my eyes. Things like hypotears and murine just burn so badly that I can't tolerate them. I recommend them highly as the best. I should have stock in the company I buy so much.

As for the dry mouth, think BIOTENE. This company makes a variety of products for people with dry mouths.. including toothpaste, an awesome mouthwash, gum, and a really neat mouth gel for those moments when my inner lips are so dry that I can't even tolerate it.

I also very easily get mouthsores. My TMJ has my jaw so easily displaced that if I eat and talk, I easily bite my lip.. which I managed to do about ten times last night out at a restaurant with my da. So... my lip now has a good smear of orabase to numb it.. Ugggh...

I can say that once I started the biotene products (which I only use say once or twice a week).. my rate of cavities at the gum line is way down. I had no cavities during my last check up... which was a first. I'd usually have a tiny one somewhere at the gum line.. from the dry mouth.

Hope that helps. - Jill

Hi Jill,
Thanks for the info. I am so sorry you have all these problems besides the IC. As if that weren't enough! My eye dr, who dx me w/Sjogren's in May of 99, recommended I use Refresh eye drops because I had corneal damage. After using that almost like an eye wash, I went back for a check up and glad to say I had no permanent damage. It was caught in time. I know what you mean by the price. Refresh large size is about $14.00. Ouch! I, too, wake up often and my eyes burn so bad I have to use the drops at night. My eyes begin to burn after to much computer work or reading. TV is ok.

I have the Biotene mouthwash and had a sample of the gel, which I love, but I can't find the gel anywhere. I guess I will have to write to the company and ask where I can buy it down here in LA.

I have TMJ, too, and I am always biting my lower lip either when eating or talking. I thought it was just uncoordinated me. I had no idea TMJ causes that. Thanks for sharing that info. Now I don't feel so "lame."

I guess your meds are what is causing your dry eyes and mouth and not Sjogren's, and I am so sorry for that. IC just brings so much uninvited baggage when it comes to "visit."

Take care and thanks again for this GREAT web site.--We have our ICA support group meeting today (I need it as I am in a flare) and I always bring the ICN material with me in case we have any newbies.


------------------
Laura Hubbard

[This message has been edited by LauraRN (edited 01-28-2001).]

[This message has been edited by LauraRN (edited 01-28-2001).]

[Tina35]

I have had REALLy dry eyes for years but finally found a solution. My eye dr. put tiny silicone plugs in the little holes in the inside corner of my eyes. Many people think these are tear ducts but they are actually a drain that drains your eyes every time you blink. By plugging mine, I am able to keep the little miusture my eyes do produce, providing BIG relief! I can even wear my contacs again for short periods which I haven't been able to do for a very long time. You might ask your eye dr. about it. Tina

[LauraRN]

Originally posted by Tina35:
I have had REALLy dry eyes for years but finally found a solution. My eye dr. put tiny silicone plugs in the little holes in the inside corner of my eyes. Many people think these are tear ducts but they are actually a drain that drains your eyes every time you blink. By plugging mine, I am able to keep the little miusture my eyes do produce, providing BIG relief! I can even wear my contacs again for short periods which I haven't been able to do for a very long time. You might ask your eye dr. about it. Tina

Hi Tina,
Thanks for the suggestion. I had a similar procedure by my eye doctor in June of 2000. He did what is called a punctal occlusion. He basically closed off my lower tear ducts to help keep my eyes more moist. This worked for awhile and I had a lot of relief, but even tho it is supposed to be permanent, it may have not "taken" completely. By the end of the year I was almost as bad as before the procedure. I may have to have it re-done or have the top tear ducts closed off too. This is done by cautery, if I remember, so I am pretty sure it's permanent. I was really scared when I had it done because he didn't give me much time to think about it, but it really didn't hurt at all.
Laura



[This message has been edited by LauraRN (edited 03-09-2001).]

[Lorie]

Jill

I can relate to your experiences with dry mouth & eyes. I use Tears Naturale with good results. Also My eye Dr. put silicone plugs in my eyes and this has been very helpfull. I use biotene toothpaste & mouthwash. Have not seen the gel anywhere. Any major drugstores carry the gel?

[Lorie]

Donna

I have very dry hands;the skin used to break&bleed. My dermotologist suggested using lotion or vaseline before bedtime and wearing gloves to bed. This works for me. I do this once a week. I did it every night in the beginning for 2 weeks. I use curel lotion frequently during the day. No more broken skin.

Healing thoughts to you

Lorie

[Fuzzieo]

I have moderate Sjogrens and had extremely dry eyes. I was using drops constantly. I had the silicone plugs put in my tear ducts (or near them) and it has made more of a difference than any medicine or procedure I have ever had. My eyes actually tear on a regular basis. I am so grateful to have these plugs. This had truly changed my life and I can't recommend them enough!