I'm dreading this as much as I hate the intensifying chest pain I've been having for 10 hours. Uuuugh. Just hope it's nothing major! Fingers crossed for the ever embarrassing "it's just gas" diagnosis.

Bleh.

Praying for a Christmas miracle for you!!

Sending many positive thoughts your way!

Liz...hang in there. Keeping you in my daily prayers. I know this is all so tough, I am so sorry you are going through this. I was doing some reading on the internet about leaks, and some doctors do advocate just letting it heal without surgical intervention, just utilizing different nutritional techniques (TPN) that bypass the digestion in the stomach. Some people on this site who had the stint say that it is extremely uncomfortable and promotes acid backing up in the esophagus. I will say once Iggy got her claw, she had immediate improvement, I wish that was an option for you, but not everyone uses this newer technology.

You will get through this. This community is here for you, if only by virtue of our caring and concern. Sending positive thoughts your way!!!

Anybody know some tricks to keep my thirst at bay. In tears again. I've tried everything I can think of.

Iggy, how long were you NPO?

I was npo for 7 days...I currently am home with a stent for my kidney.

I was finally allowed to swish water in my mouth and spit but I was watched like a prisoner. Just do not swallow. Just swish swish and spit.

Ask first of course.

I'm so sorry I know this is awful

I was npo for 7 days...I currently am home with a stent for my kidney.

I was finally allowed to swish Water in my mouth and spit but I was watched like a prisoner. Just do not swallow. Just swish swish and spit.

Ask first of course.

I'm so sorry I know this is awful

I've swished and nothing. I'm on day 19 strict NPO. I'd sell my soul for ice chips.

I know, you are so strong for going this long, you are saving yourself, just remember you are closer to the day you can resume liquids by not taking any now and damaging your organs.

Have you asked for any anxiety medicine? I think it will help, stress makes our mouths parched. Take some anti anxiety and swish and spit and try and relax.

It is so hard but your doing it!!!

Stay strong Liz...you're doing good for your health!

<3

I can't even begin to imagine how dry your mouth is after 19 days of NPO. Have you talked to your doctor about being able to use a mouth moisturizer? I don't know all the names, but I believe there are several prescription options as well as some OTC rinses you could spit out like Oasis. There is some prescriptions you rub on your teeth I think. I am not sure if they are off limits because they may make you salivate too much, but may be worth a talk with them. You may have to be diligent about spitting after using.

I know Biotene makes a dry mouth spray and you can get it at Walmart. Not sure if they will let you use it. I can't imagine what you are going through! It must be torture! I hope you heal quickly and can have something to drink soon.

Liz I honestly don't remember. I was 22 days there, and if I remember right I was cut off within a week...so between 14 and 20 days???? I seem to remember pushing it towards three weeks, so shorter than you and honey it so sucked!

I was not allowed to use the spray. I was allowed to have those sponges to wet my mouth which taste like styrofoam. I asked for ice to dip them in which did help with the medicine taste. But they watched me like a hawk LOL I know that feeling. But the icy dip was so much more refreshing than the warm water!

Do you at least get the sponges???? Not that I want to see them ever again, but they were better than nothing.

I wasn't allowed to have anything once they discovered the leak, then not until after the repair. If they aren't repairing...just going on the "hope it cures naturally" that sounds like too long without Water Darling I feel for you!!!! Gad I just want to hug you woman!

Liz I honestly don't remember. I was 22 days there' date=' and if I remember right I was cut off within a week...so between 14 and 20 days???? I seem to remember pushing it towards three weeks, so shorter than you and honey it so sucked!

I was not allowed to use the spray. I was allowed to have those sponges to wet my mouth which taste like styrofoam. I asked for ice to dip them in which did help with the medicine taste. But they watched me like a hawk LOL I know that feeling. But the icy dip was so much more refreshing than the warm water!

Do you at least get the sponges???? Not that I want to see them ever again, but they were better than nothing.

I wasn't allowed to have anything once they discovered the leak, then not until after the repair. If they aren't repairing...just going on the "hope it cures naturally" that sounds like too long without Water Darling I feel for you!!!! Gad I just want to hug you woman![/quote']

I can have the sponges but they taste like a dentist office and at this point I just end up sucking all the water out lol

LOL Of course you do (i did too) and ice water is better than the luke warm stuff.

Biotene makes a tablet, that you place stick to roof of your mouth also...and a toothpaste... You are allowed to brush your teeth aren't you? So sorry for your issues and problems. Will keep sending love, hugs, prayers, strength and healing your way!

Sent from my iPhone using VST

Ask for a mouth care kit. They have a lotion thing for the mouth. If you mix it with the mouth wash in the kit. That helped me when I was npo in the hospital. It does keep away cotton mouth for a while. The scopolamine can give you the worst cotton mouth.

Biotene makes a tablet' date=' that you place stick to roof of your mouth also...and a toothpaste... You are allowed to brush your teeth aren't you? So sorry for your issues and problems. Will keep sending love, hugs, prayers, strength and healing your way!

Sent from my iPhone using VST[/quote']

I've been able to brush my teeth a handful of times under close supervision. My barium swallow is sometime this morning. If it looks good, I can start on Clear Liquids.

Ask for a mouth care kit. They have a lotion thing for the mouth. If you mix it with the mouth wash in the kit. That helped me when I was npo in the hospital. It does keep away cotton mouth for a while. The scopolamine can give you the worst cotton mouth.

My hospital doesn't have anything like that, I asked. And the scopolamine is the only thing helping my nausea, but like you said, the cotton mouth is murder