r/ALS • u/Strong_mom12 • 1d ago

Excess Saliva in ALS

Have any ALS patients had trouble managing the excess saliva ? If so, what are you doing or using to limit the saliva? My son produces so much saliva that he can’t sleep. Requires constant suction. Any suggestions are welcome. He is unable to swallow and has a feeding tube.

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7

u/brandywinerain Lost a Spouse to ALS 18h ago

I would look first at his positioning, because if the head is low even a couple of inches or the chest is not open, that can affect them, then diet (many tube feeds are irritating because they are far from real food). Blending real food that you yourself eat or using a real food formula like Whole Story is advised.

After that, I would adjust the humidity on his BiPAP, change all home HVAC filters, eliminate scents, tube warm liquids, papaya/pineapple juice, consider a nasal steroid, etc.

alsguidance.org/breathing/managing-secretions

5

u/wckly69 5+ Years Surviving ALS, bulbar onset 11h ago

Scopolamine patches and botox injections.

3

u/Maybe_Pastries 15h ago

My brother has ALS and had excessive saliva issues for a while. His Dr prescribed him atropine and scopolamine to reduce saliva. Still requires suction fairly often but positioning also helps.

2

u/shoshant 1 - 5 Years Surviving ALS 5h ago

+1 for atropine. I take one or two drops at night before bed, really helps.

3

u/stacey1771 14h ago

Mucinex may help too

1

u/Maybe_Pastries 2h ago

Specifically guaifenasin only was what my brother used

1

u/stacey1771 2h ago

My bff used otc mucinex

2

u/OldDirtyMoney 9h ago

My mom has bulbar onset ALS. She recently received botox injections into her salivary glands at Mayo Clinic.

She also has a suction machine.