excessive saliva

[sharri]

I have been seeing doctors since June of 2008 for excessive saliva. This has been a medical merry go round that has become a blooming nightmare. Not one doctor has been able to diagnose this condition, yet they have prescribed medications that are dubious at best--can you believe thyroid medicine? Asked why as I had a test for thyroid and that organ functions quite well. Then, one doctor wanted to remove my saliva glands--that was really scary. Only one doctor--my dentist, actually took the time to observe just how much saliva I was secreting, and she was amazed. If anyone can help me I would appreciate it. The saliva, at times, has almost choked me. No, I don't have a problem swallowing normally--just the amount of saliva at any given time.

[sharri]

thank you for responding. Can't be cell phone usage as I hate those contraptions and they aren't in my home--yes to cordless phone. No tumor--have had an MRI. Any other information would be appreciated.

[JonMac]

Hi sharri,

Excessive salivation can be a side effect of certain medications. Are you taking any routine meds?

Regards,
John

[sharri]

Hi: Thanks for the reply--no I just take multi-vitamin and calcium supplement---everything from removal of saliva glands (that was a scary comment coming from a doctor) to lets try a thyroid medication. Out there, there is an answer to this.

[Felsen]

Have you always had it like this or did it appear suddenly/gradually?

The good thing is, it effectively prevents all dental disease.

[sharri]

I suppose it did occur slowly as I didn't notice it at first. Now it has reached embarrassing proportions. I have to walk around discreetly spitting--not very elegant on the golf course. This could also be a sign of poisoning! My doctor assures me that if I die, he willl request an autopsy--isn't that comforting? If someone is truly trying to poison me, they are certainly inept! Ha.

[richard wayne2b]

Your condition is called sialorrhea or ptyalism and can be from pesticide poisoning or use of Orajel,as two examples.You can Google this.Treatment consists of an anticholinergic drug such as atropine tablets or transdermal scopolamine.You don't seem to have any of the more serious symptoms,such as retropharyngeal abscess or tonsillitis or mono.

[JCottleMD]

Okay, please refer back to the onset of symptoms for me and describe when you first noticed the change. Tell me whether you have any other odd symptoms, regardless of whether you believe them to be related or not, and provide a general health status, ie allergies or sinus problems, dermatological changes, changes in voice, difficulty with balance or movement, clumsiness, muscle twitches or spasms or other complaints, including mood-related.

Best regards,

J Cottle, MD

[sharri]

This first became noticeable in June of 2008. At first I didn't pay much attention. Then, it became a nuisance where I always had a tissue at hand to catch the saliva--progressed to now, where I actually carry a cup around to discharge into. I have NO health issues that I am aware of and GOD knows the doctors have issued every test you can think of. No health issues, no high blood pressure, no cholesterol issues, etc. I golf 18 holes of golf at least four times a week and function at the level of probably a forty year old--in fact, probably better. What scares me is that one of the possibilities discussed by one doctor was "brain tumor". Had an MRI and that was not the case--but now paranoia--was this scan read properly--so now I am beginning to react to all of this from a depressed mental state and this is not going well. I just want to function, go to Schlitterbahn, rafting and all that I usually do without this disgusting situation. Any and all help is so appreciated by me.

[sharri]

Just had a thought--yes I am having a voice change, but thought it was because of all the salliva that I do swallow--but ENT doctor didn't say anything when he checked my throat. Yes, my balance is a little off kilter, but I always move fast, so have tried to slow down my movements. I do not have allergies, nor has anything come into "my space" that is different in the past year. I have played the last year over and over in my mind to think of anything that could have triggered this.