Expert: Imran R. - 5/11/2007

Question
"I had neck [disk] surgery in 2003. One year
later I noticed in July I woke up with a very dry
mouth, like I was drinking dry wine or as if I had
burned my tongue on very hot food. I thought it
would go away. It has only gotten worse. I do not
know if is realated to the surgery. I was told at
first it was from all the drugs I too for pain.
But I am not taking any now. It is just getting
worse and worse. At night I can't even swallow and
need water all during the night. Now I have
noticed that I am getting a very dry ridge on the
outside edge of my lips! Like they are shriveling up!
I went to my reg. destist last year for cleaning
and xrays, he he did not know what it was from. I
also went to my GP and he had me get an upper GI
which was ok. I had used a light system to whiten
my teeth just before this happened, but I do not
think that could be the cause. I have not used it
since and that was in 2004. Also I can't sleep for more than 2-3 hours at a time.
What could this be? A deficiency of some kind? An
Allergie? A simple vitamin deficency?
I am extremely frustrated.
Thank you for any help or insight.
Jay Veen [I am a 57 year old female who is in
very good shape, weighing 120 at 5'6". I do have
nerve damage from the disk problem but take no pain
meds except alieve I am always in pain, but have gotton used to it.]"


Answer
Dear Jay,

Thank you for writing, your email has now gotten through.

This is a peculiar case, especially since it happened a year after the operation. The first thought was to advise you get an x-ray done to make sure no tiny foreign objects have been left in the area that was operated on. On the other hand though, these symptoms do sound familiar---like an allergy to artificial sweeteners. If you are taking any, cut them all out:  splenda, sucralose, aspartame, nutra-sweet, equal, acesulfame potassium.

It would also be a good idea to take a high quality nutritional product daily.  
http://www.tryfrutavida.com/main

Take 2 ounces of this daily on an empty stomach, about 10 minutes before meals; take 1 ounce twice daily.

Best wishes,

Imran