I take tamoxofen 20mg daily. From the start the hot flashes were horrible and my mouth went dry. I was having 20-30 flashes a day. My oncologist put me on 75m effexor. Because I couldn't sleep he put me on 1mg ativan & .25 zanax. I only get 10-15 now but still don't sleep through them. My mouth is constantly dry. I drink between 1-2 gallons of water a day. If I don't by end of day my lips dry up and start to crack. I don't understand how these drugs can dehydrate me so badly. Could someone try to explain that to me and are my symptons common?
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Q: Why aren't my salivary glands working and I feel so dehydrated all the time?
Answers (1)
12/21/08 9:49am
Hi - Yes, dry mouth is a side effect of Xanax, Ativan, and Effexor, all three, due to your salivary glands not working as well. If you could get off of those, it would probably abate. They advise chewing gum, and taking small sips of water frequently (rather than downing a whole glass all at once). But I'd tell your doc the dry mouth is making you crazy, and is there anything (s)he can suggest other than the drugs you're currently on. Good luck - PJH
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I've been taking Effexor, 150 mgs daily, for about 60 days. I'm happy to say that I feel better than I have for years in terms of energy level, mood and clarity of thought. But now I have a lump in the back of my throat that I can't get rid off and I'm producing excessive saliva. My mouth is full of foamy bubbles almost all day. In addition to that I believe I have burning mouth syndrome, so my mouth throat and palate are dry and burning, even when I'm saliving too much. I know it doesn't make sense. I have almost a constant pain in one of my molars; I've been to the dentist twice and there's no pathology to explain it. My doctor doesn't know what to do.