Management of dry mouth e.g. due to Sicca or Sjogren Syndromw:
1. Moisturising eye drop (e.g. Hyaluronic, carmellose, VisuXL etc eye drops) and use this routinely 4 times daily and more often if required.
2. Nighttime eye ointment and use it every night after the Ikervis eye drops. Ikervis eye drops require a prescription from a eye/Sjögren’s specialist)
3. Obtain and use a warm eye compress (USB or Microwavable) and use this religiously for 10 minutes daily.
4. Take steps to humidify the house, keeping the heating as low as she can tolerate and putting saucers of water on the radiators and the Aga.
5. Minimise the use smoke exposure, e.g. avoid smoking or use of wood burners.
6. Use Xylitol products for mouth as these have the dual benefit of moisturising the mouth and inhibiting streptococcus mutans growth which can accelerate dental decay. I generally recommend Xylimelts overnight and Peppersmith Xylitol sweets during the day.
7. May benefit from moisture chamber glasses. Can discuss this with an Optician.
8. For the nose, Sterimar as a nasal cleanser, but then follows this with either Nozoil or Xlear as a nasal moisturiser.
9. Use a SLS free fluoride containing toothpaste, for example Sensodyne Pronamel or similar.
10. Add Marshmallow Root and/or Slippery Elm to aid swallowing and digestion.
11. Trial of Carbocisteine at 375mgs three time a day (prescription only medication via GP or Sjögren’s specialist). This is a mucolytic which can often help improve the consistency of the secretions in patients with Sjögren’s Syndrome.
12. Consider taking the the HOPE Course (www.h4c.org.uk/hpsw). This is an online facilitated course designed to support people living with a chronic condition.
13. If appropriate consider seeking support and advice from Sjögren’s UK and the Wren Project.