Bad Breath and Cold Sensitivity | Arthritis Information

Ok...now that you have stopped laughing at the subject line, let me say that I am serious.

But first, let me say hi to all. I have been away for several weeks. Hope all are doing well, or at least surviving as comfortably as possible. Ok...on to my topic.

I was moved from Remicade and Prednisone to Enbrel and Medrol about 10 weeks ago. The Enbrel is doing great for me. I have even managed to taper off the Medrol down to 7mg and plan to keep tapering.

One new issue I have is frequent and strong bad breath, as well as extreme sensitivity to cold liquids on my teeth. My husband frequently informs me to gargle, I've noticed co-workers politely offering me gum. I've gotten to the point where every time I turn around I'm going to the ladies room to gargle for fear of bad breath.

I just saw the dentist this week and he says all looks great! He even congratulated me on how great my gums look. No inflammation. He cannot see any reason for my issues.

I cannot find any reference to these issues regarding Enbrel, but it's the only thing that has changed.

So....has anyone else on Enbrel experienced issues with bad breath or cold sensitivity, and how did you get control of it?

Thanks!

I'm not on enbrel but what I'm wondering about is dry mouth? If your mouth is dry it can cause bad breath. Also...if rinsing with mouthwash with alcohol in it, it can make it even more dry. I would suggest talking with your doctor if you're experiencing dry mouth/eyes as it might be sjogren's.

good luck!

Kelly

When anyone on a biologic mentions bad breath and sensitive tooth issues I start thinking about sinusitis. If the sensitive tooth thing is mainly in the back, upper teeth then it might be worth going to your primary care doc to have it checked out. If not then I haven't got a clue what might be causing this problem.

Bob H.

Sure sounds like a sinus issue to me. I've made emergency appointments at the dentist's office, fearing that I had an acute infected tooth in need of immediate treatment, only to be told by the dentist I had a major sinus infection and to go see my primary doc. You don't always get a blocked nose, heavy congestion/drainage or other "classic" sinus symptoms from a sinus infection. Jas, is right. My sinus infections very rarely progress past a sore throat with a small amount of yellow-ish drainage. I haven't had a full on raging sinus infection in years. They're all so mild doctors are sometimes reluctant to even give an antibiotic. I use the saline nasal washes though too which I'm told is why they don't get so bad. You might try this as well, it certainly can't hurt to do it a few times a day especially in the winter.

Bob

i cannot answer this one but i love your doggie!!!! maybe everything is just dying up. like me i am all dried up i even creak when i move now. drink more water and brush your tough and pick your teeth and gum is good because it keeps your mouth wet. w.w.I knew if I came back here that I'd find some great advice. Thanks to you all! I never even considered a sinus infection, and certainly not sjogrens. And I certainly am drying up as my husband tells me I'm snoring a lot! ;=) Now I have something to point the doc to, else they just loook at you like your an idiot. Thanks again.

As for my doggie, he's my BIG 110lb baby, who thinks he is a 10lb lap dog. His name is Saber. Actually he was 135lbs at the time. I put hiim on a diet this last year. The pic was taken in a huge snow storm last year. He was bouncing around having a blast in it.

Thanks again!

Hi Diane, my 12 y.o son had same problem and he is on pred and a few others, his paediatrician prescribed Rhinocort nasal spray, it is a steroidal spray used once or twice a day, it has worked wonders and my son said he can breathe now and his sense of smell is much improved, worth a try maybe? Good luck from Janie. Diane-

Do you have large tonsils? I know I suffer post nasal drainage and I think it drains into my tonsils causing tonsil concretions (which are very nasty and very smelly). There was a thread on this awhile back. I am constantly checking my tonsils and cleaning them out for fear of bad breath.

I'm not on Enbrel and I don't have the breathe but I do have sensitive teeth problems. I got the clean bill of health from my dentist as well. My RD again insisted last night it is not RA related. I'm on MTX he says that causes nothing more than mouth sores.

He suggested seeing a periodontist when I told him my dentist just x-rayed my whole mouth and gave me a thorough exam.

Alot of people here seem to have sensitive teeth....