I suffer from end stage lung disease (COPD) I am presently going through a flare up and my oxygen drops into the 80's with minimum exertion. I am on 20 mg of prednisone (tapering off) and was on Factive. I take 20mg of Lexapro, Spiriva, Advair, Protonix, theophylline and 20 mg of Micardis. I put on weight (5'4, 236 lbs-female) but I had a very thorough exam for my heart- no sugar, cholesterol or triglyceride problem, no thyroid, stress test and echo perfect as well as blood pressure (it goes up a bit when I exert but usually is runs about 130/80 or bad is 140/90. Sometime it drops to 117/78. So, in that regard I am very lucky. My mouth became dry and I became very thirsty with this flare up (it has been going on now for about 3.5 weeks) I have a partial bridge and caps. I do not know what to make of it. I also noticed my skin getting very dry so I bought some Gatoraid and drank that and it helped for about 3 days. Seems like I'm dehydrated. I am constantly drinking water - maybe 10 glasses or so. Am constantly going to the bathroon to urinate and do have a yeast infection that will not go away. I also have been having headaches - mild and get dizzy- which I think is from the drop in oxygen. What do you suggest? Which doctor should I see- my primary, pulmonist, ENT, gynocologist or all? Sorry for the overload. I am 55 yrs. old if that makes any difference. I get hot flashes now and then but mostly in the extremities and do not sweat just get hot on the top of my head. (don't laugh-is true) Thanks... Maria

This is for Kathy, who mentioned she had dry mouth and dry eyes. Have you been checked for Sjogren's syndrome? It's a rheumatic condition – a form of arthritis. I have it, and have had dry eyes (I use Restasis with great results) and am working on taking care of my increasingly dry mouth.

I have had dry mouth for a long time due to several autoimmune diseases. The only thing that helps me is Biotene Oral Balance Dry Mouth Moisturizing Gel. They now make a spray that I can't use because it hurts my mouth. I've tried everything and this gel is the best because it soothes your mouth and doesn't sting. Most places stock the spray, and I have to buy the gel online. If I drink a lot of water at night it helps, but then I'm up running to the bathroom.

To treat my dry mouth, I have two glasses of water before bed. I try to form saliva as much as possible. I don't have coffee — even decaff. Yes, sugar-free juices and mints help.

Sores in my mouth and tongue for about two years being treated with a prednisone mouth wash and is not getting any better. It is not the medications I am on because my doctor already had started eliminating each med but nothing has helped. My age is 81.

For 2 years now I have woken up every morning with a mouth so dry it feels like I have spent a month lost in the desert without water. My doctor tells me only that I must sleep with my mouth open as a result of congestion. My nasal passages are clear upon waking so I think it has some other cause. I take no meds, only vitamins, digestive enzymes and protein powder.

I have only had what I call a dry mouth for a week and a half, and already I am quite tired of it. I read that most people with this condition complain of no saliva; however, I have saliva, and can swallow it. But my tongue is dry and split and sore. I have sores in my mouth from the cheeks sticking to my teeth when I shut my mouth for even a few minutes. It came on suddenly. I have no idea what is causing it. The doctor suggested rheumatoid arthritis; I'm still waiting for test results.