My mouth feels like the Sahara… and I drink water like a fish

[JomesA]

Okay, I need to vent because this is driving me insane. My mouth is constantly dry. I’m talking all-day, every-day, desert-level dry — and yes, I drink a ridiculous amount of water. I’ve tried sipping, chewing gum, even those fancy hydration drinks… nothing works.

Talking, eating, even just existing feels uncomfortable. My lips are basically permanent sandpaper at this point. I’ve read about dry mouth (xerostomia?) but I don’t know if this is just annoying or if something is actually wrong. Could it be meds? Sinuses? Some evil plot by my saliva glands?
Has anyone else been through this? Did you find something that actually helps, or am I doomed to a lifetime of carrying a water bottle like it’s my new appendage?
Honestly, any tips, hacks, or just commiseration would be appreciated. I just want my mouth to stop feeling like a desert while my stomach is swimming in water.

 

[SamuRage]

Could be meds. Tons of prescriptions have “dry mouth” as a side effect — antidepressants, anxiety meds, antihistamines, blood pressure meds. If you’re congested at night and breathing through your mouth, you’ll wake up super dry and it can linger all day. A humidifier in my bedroom + nasal spray made a huge difference.