Hi- I had surgery on 5/15/24... so I'm 5 weeks out. I struggled getting water in this weekend and ended up needing fluids. My mouth has been killing me and I thought fluids would help but nope! Now I'm struggling with get in protein because the only way I like protein is with hot coffee. I just feel like I'm failing! Support/suggestions... I'm all ears!

29 minutes ago, Krit82 said:

Hi- I had surgery on 5/15/24... so I'm 5 weeks out. I struggled getting Water in this weekend and ended up needing fluids. My mouth has been killing me and I thought fluids would help but nope! Now I'm struggling with get in Protein because the only way I like protein is with hot coffee. I just feel like I'm failing! Support/suggestions... I'm all ears!

I don’t think I totally understand. I don’t know why your mouth is bothering you and I can’t think of what that would have to do with the surgery. If it’s some sort of dental pain you probably need a dentist but If it’s because liquids won’t go down and you were doing fine getting them down before I would definitely contact your surgeon. Did you go to the er for fluids? What did they say about whether it could be surgery related?? As for protein, they also make clear protein waters. Have you tried those??

DRY MOUTH! I've been to the Dr and the dentist - I was thinking because I was dehydrated was the reason behind the dry mouth but that's not the case ?

2 hours ago, Krit82 said:

DRY MOUTH! I've been to the Dr and the dentist - I was thinking because I was dehydrated was the reason behind the dry mouth but that's not the case ?

Hummm. Well, you could try biotine for the dry mouth but I would still contact your surgeon if you can’t get fluids down.

Edited June 21, 20242 yr by ShoppGirl

Yeah...not sure why you're having dry mouth like that. Maybe see what your surgeon or even your primary doctor has to say about it. Biotene is good for that. Beyond that...no idea.

When in hospital I suffered from dry mouth as I wasn't able to drink or eat for periods so the nurses would give me lemon flavoured glycerine sticks, I would rub it on my lips and gums. Maybe you can get some in your pharmacy - they are just like large cotton buds with liquid in them. Picture below of what I was given.

Would home made ice pops be of any help?

When at home I made some for my liquid stage just with sugar free jello powder and plain protein powder mixed together. Could help you get in some liquids and protein plus the sucking/melting aspect may help with the dry mouth.

Thank you for all the advice- talked to my surgeon and they keep asking if I'm dehydrated- I'm not. I drink 120oz of water and added electrolytes in yesterday. Biotene doesn't touch this dry mouth- I'll just keep plugging along and hope this too passes!

Sorry, no suggestions for your dry mouth. Presume your doctors have ruled out medications (prescription & over the counter), snoring, smoking, menopause, infection in your saliva glands, mouth breathing, etc.

Be careful drinking an excess of water as you can flush essential nutrients out of your body which are so essential while you are so early out & not consuming a lot. Overhydration is as much a potential health risk as dehydration. You wouldn’t be crazy exercising & sweating out a lot of fluids at this stage that you would need to increase your fluid intake. Unless you are working outside in the heat you’ve been experiencing in NY, 120ozs seems a bit excessive. The usually recommended 64ozs of fluids includes any shakes or soups, etc. you are consuming. Does your 120ozs include those as well or would they increase your fluid intake even more?

https://www.webmd.com/diet/what-is-too-much-water-intake

If the dry mouth continues, and various reasons have been considered and ruled out, speak to your doctor about the possiblity of sjogren's syndrome.

8 hours ago, Arabesque said:

Sorry, no suggestions for your dry mouth. Presume your doctors have ruled out medications (prescription & over the counter), snoring, smoking, menopause, infection in your saliva glands, mouth breathing, etc.

Be careful drinking an excess of Water as you can flush essential nutrients out of your body which are so essential while you are so early out & not consuming a lot. Overhydration is as much a potential health risk as dehydration. You wouldn’t be crazy exercising & sweating out a lot of fluids at this stage that you would need to increase your Fluid intake. Unless you are working outside in the heat you’ve been experiencing in NY, 120ozs seems a bit excessive. The usually recommended 64ozs of fluids includes any shakes or Soups, etc. you are consuming. Does your 120ozs include those as well or would they increase your fluid intake even more?

https://www.webmd.com/diet/what-is-too-much-water-intake

Yes everything was taken into consideration and yes that is a total of all fluids consumed- I follow my teams recommendations- I was just asking to see if anyone else had experienced similar issues and what they did to combat it. If you haven't you have no idea how painful it is and frustrating. And no 120 oz in this heat isn't excessive as my team also said to intake more fluids at this time to not risk dehydration during the heat wave.

Oh yeah, it is terrible. I don’t experience it all day every day like you, but I randomly wake up in the middle of the night almost gasping for a breath but breathing rasps over my dried out mouth which is almost stuck open. You want to swallow but can’t cause there’s nothing to swallow. One of those fun menopause symptoms very few talk about. I usually just hold some water in my mouth & swish it about to remoisten everything & that seems to work in my situation.

Was aware of the heat wave in NY, but I guess I am a bit blasé about temps in the 90s - that’s our usual summer temps. LOL! Plus our BOM issued heatwave warnings almost every day last summer for temps in the low 90s or not even 90 which was ridiculous. Everyone was saying it’s just summer & asking why they were fear mongering. You’d think it strange if I talked about a cold winter with our winter temperatures. (Actually it is damn freezing here - your 46 last night - bbrrrr. ?)

Do hope you find some answers and a solution soon.

17 hours ago, christopher8642g said:

If dry mouth persists despite considering and ruling out various causes, consult your doctor about the possibility of Sjögren's syndrome.

It’s definitely because of being menopausal. One of the many ‘fun’ side effects. Knock on wood I haven’t had an episode for a few months now.