CancerCompass message board discussion started by mtkjohn1 on 6/17/2008 http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,25129,0.htm Sun, 23 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT Sun, 23 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://backend.userland.com/rss RSS.NET: http://www.rssdotnet.com/ I have just been given the Rx and not sure I want to take it??what are the side effects? Worth them?Manageable?  john  mtkjohn1 Tue, 17 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT Here is a link to check out: http://www.medicinenet.com/pilocarpine-oral/article.htm psiplex Tue, 17 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT i have seen that stuff But i would like to hear from people who have used it and really know how it works or notI would like to get my saliva back but do not want any more things to deal with that are a pain.john  mtkjohn1 Tue, 17 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT I take it, and it does help. As far as side effects, it makes me sweat a little, and makes me want to urinate sometimes. I'm taking 5 mg 3 or 4 times a day. I dont think the side effects are that bad, they only last about 15 or twenty minutes, but the boost in saliva lasts about 3 hours or so. I was told I could go to 10 mg if I wanted, but that was too much sweat and it nade me a little antsy, like I had too much caffeine. My usual routine is one about an hour before lunch, one about an hour and a half before dinner, and one about 30 minutes before dinner. All you can do is try it and see if it works for you I think the saliva not only helps with chewing and swallowing, but also improves the taste of the food.Best wishes, Mike micromisterphone Tue, 17 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT Good Day Friends!I am going on 2 years in August since last radiation.  Two doctors have prescribed it for me.  The side effects are as mentioned.  I've tried them for 3-5 weeks twice and it did not produce the saliva I needed.  But then again, I am taking Hydro still for my neck disection pain, so that in itself causes dryness.  The sweats reminded me of hot flashes and did not continue with it.  Everyone is different, so with our Saliva issue I recommend trying it and see how it affects you.Good idea with taking them prior to meals to help get down the throat, I just keep the water bottle handy and use it to get the food down.  And I use the Oasis spray, and stoppers spray for dryness.Good Luck and God BlessPatricia  pcn17 Wed, 18 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT Hi: I have used salagen over the last year for effects of treatment for BOT cancer which has really dried me out. While it does have some minor side effects, they are not bad unfortunately for me it doesn't work that well. Try it it won't hurt as we are all different. Good luck. Ed Ejw00100 Thu, 19 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT I started taking salagen this winter because my mouthgot so dry from sleeping at night. I took 2 at night and it definitely increases saliva. The dryness definitely isnt as bad in the summertime. I didnt have any side effects. talk to your ear nose and throat doctor. There is also a few other products on the market to increase saliva. after a neck dissection radation and chemo in the throat area this is just a by product of all that treatment but it is a small price to pay for being cancer free. Mickd Thu, 26 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT