So sorry to hear that you are feeling so lousy. Have you talked to your Dr. about this? Do you have meds to help with the nausea and vomiting? At first, this sounded like maybe a virus, but after a week of dealing with this more that usual, I would be checking with my Family Dr. Have you been running a fever? ...and sorry, but no idea about the watering mouth. I tend to have just the opposite. Please check into this with your Dr. and make sure you don't have some kind of virus or infection going on.

Keep us posted and hang in there,
Kelly

He's never offered anything for the nausea. He says "It's normal."

It's called. "You don't have insurance so we're not going to do much for you."

No fever and today I've actually been ok. Don't know what's up with the watering. Since I feel pretty good today I'm not going to worry.

I tend to get into panic mode when something weird happens.

Thank you for your help though!

Well, if you deal with nausea often, I would ask for something to help with that. If you have the funds, surely there is a generic form out there. There is no point in being miserable if you don't have to. I am taking something for nausea...but it makes me really really sleepy, so I don't take it unless I have to. But at least it is available for those days where you just need something to help you get through it.

I am glad you are feeling better today! It really sucks on those days that you don't.

Keep on keepin on!
Kelly

Hi Jenn,

Sorry to hear you haven't been feeling too good. I find that feeling nauseous in itself makes me salivate more. Could this explain your problem, I wonder? I've been feeling nauseous because of the pressure on my stomach, coupled with heartbun and acid reflux. I could do with some extra saliva to neatralise the acid in my mouth. I'm seeing the dentist tomorrow, so I hope there isn't too much doom and gloom about my acid erosion.

Anyway, have your tried the usual remedies for nausea ie. ginger (biscuits, capsules etc), wrist bands, nibbling something like crackers frequently? Don't let yourself become too hungry, as this makes it worse.

Hope you fell better soon.

Chewitt

I'm happy to report that I'm back to feeling as I usually do.

Mouth is still doing that thing and I think Chewitt's right, it's the nausea.

I've never tried those remedies because I'm always afraid to put anything in my stomach for fear of throwing up...but now I see you're right that it does make it worse.

I'm going to get some ginger. I hear it has other good benefits too.

I've been neglecting my fresh mint leaves too. That helped in the past about 50% of the time so maybe combining with crackers or something will help.

Thank you for shedding light, as usual!

Jen, I don't understand why you are having to suffer because you don't have insurance?? I'am sure because you are unable to work that you would qualify for Medicaid? Have you looked into this. I know some people that are on it and they get better care than we do with insurance or medicare! Do you live by yourself or are you living with your family? All of this makes a difference as you probably already know. About the mouth watering thing, I have it too and it drives me crazy, I don't know what it is, so I suck on cough drops all day long, which is a bad thing to do, I know but the only remedy I have found to date and I'am talking about years of doing this. I hate the idea that you are not getting proper medical care just because you cannot work!!! There has to be an answer for you? Have you applied for medicaid or SS benefits, disabilty, etc. any of the things that are available? If there is anything I can do to help you, PLEASE let me know!

lots and lots of love,
Norma...

Norma,
The dreadful part about qualifying for Medicaid is you need to have a certain amount of UNPAID medical bills (a percent of your income) in order to be eligible for Medicaid. So you have to go into debt and essentially destroy any decent credit rating you had to qualify for Medicaid, not to mention you can't have any savings or tangible assets (you can have a car and a house and basic belongings, but that's it). It's an utterly ludicrous system, especially the go into debt with medical bills (my stepdaugther would need $7000 in unpaid bills to qualify; we've ensured she hasn't had unpaid bills and she'd be appalled and mortified if she did). It's no wonder that medical bills are a signficant contributing factor to over 50% of the bankruptcies in this country!

Jenn,
Ginger works wonders. I don't use any of the anti-nausea medications because of the side effects (one causes severe headaches, the others cause tardive dyskinesia, in my case uncontrolled arm and leg movements, even in low doses...I'm just wired differently). So I use ginger for nausea (as well a peppermint). Candied ginger, ginger candies (World Market has a good assortment), Reeds Extra Ginger Ginger Ale (expensive, but it has 27% real ginger and all natural ingredients whereas Canada Dry has maybe 2% ginger at most). I have, but haven't tried the acupressure bands designed to be worn at the wrist, but my neighbor borrowed mine when she was pregnant and traveling and swore by them and ended up wearing them all the time (otherwise she was miserable through her second trimester). They're inexpensive; I think I found mine at WalMart.

The anti-convulsants have some nasty side effects when it comes to confusion and memory loss. It's the "Dope-a-max" effect, even if you're not on Topamax. All of them unfortuantely have a cognitive effect, but considering the option of uncontrolled seizures.... (have a friend with PKD and epilepsy; she's post transplant).

Have any of your medications changed? Some medications can cause the watering (more cause a dry mouth, but everyone has a different response; I tend to have the most unusual response in the book). Just a consideration.

Another option is to see a dentist; they're really the mouth experts. Something may be affecting a salivary gland, something a dentist would see in a moment whereas I'm not really sure a doctor knows where they're all located. So if this continues and you can tolerate the idea of someone poking around in your mouth, perhaps a dental appointment may be in order.

In any case, I hope your symptoms resolve soon and you're back to feeling well soon.

Lots of hugs,
Ruth

I dont know if you have ever been seasick , I have, and its the worst nausea I have ever had. The first thing they gave me on the boat was ginger candy and it helped immensely.

Dianne

Norma,

What IHAVEPKD says is absolutely true and also right now I declared myself homeless under the advice of a social worker in order to get food stamps. I'm waiting patiently on SSI and then she said there may be a better chance to get Medicaid. I live with my boyfriend right now and things are fine. It would just be nice for me to have my own money and a doctor of my choosing instead of having to go through this. I don't want these meds. I don't mind my blood pressure once, but the anti-seizure ones are awful.

Topamax destroyed my life. And here I am on 2 new ones now. And the last med change was a month ago.

I need to see a dentist...it's been years. but who can afford that? Not anyone I know and there's no assistance with that which i think is terrible because your oral health is important. But I won't vent about how things suck right now in that aspect haha

I know what to look for if things get serious and I'll call the doctor then.

Right now I'm just dealing.

Felt a lot better this weekend and today so that's good.

thank you all for the advice :)

Hi, DJ!

Nausea is par for the course with PKD.

As my kidneys neared the end of their useful lives, I experienced bouts of severe nausea and dry heaves.

The only thing that helped was eating a few dry crackers, which I learned from my neph.

DJ, you know I care.

I really hope you the assistance you need and deserve.

Also, just for the heck of it, check out the American Kidney Fund

http://www.kidneyfund.org/


Be Good!

Peace and Blessings!
CoachRichie