Thick but excessive saliva

Hi Dr.

My wife is 62 years old.  She had Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis that was active until her early 30's.  Hashimoto's in her 40's.  Pernicious anemia, diagnosed in her 40's and treated with monthly B12 injections, SPADS ( specific polysaccharide antibody deficiency) was also diagnosed in her late 40's.  She lacks the antibodies necessary to fight the bacteria responsible upper respiratory infections. She receives monthly infusions to supplement her immune system.

This past February she noticed thickened saliva exuding from her left parotid gland.  Over the past year the viscosity and flow of thick saliva has increased to the extent that her mouth is always coated with mushy, sandy, ropy saliva.  In addition to the viscous saliva she has dry eyes ( opthamologist confirmed), burning sensations that first  occurred in her urethra but now occur throughout her body on the surface of her muscles and constant abdominal pain and bloating.
She tests ANA negative and is negative for celiacs. CT scans of her abdomen and her salivary glands show no irregularities.  She had a lip biopsy in September that showed "Benign squamous mucosa and minor salivary gland parenchyma showing patchy chronic sialadenitis with a single lymphoid aggregate"
We have been to multiple Drs including a Rheumatologist looking for a diagnosis.  Sjoorgrens has been indicated but because of the negative ANA and the excess thick saliva instead of lack of saliva the Drs have not confirmed that as a diagnosis.

Are you aware of any autoimmune disease that includes excessive and very viscous saliva as a primary symptom?

[Garth L Nicolson, PhD]

Whenever there are Sjogren's-like symptoms but not a complete diagnosis, we immediately think of chronic infections.  In fact, most Sjogren's patients have chronic infections (bacteria, viruses, fungal infections) so it is good idea to check this out.

As to the specific question about excessive and viscous saliva, yes, we have heard this before, but not necessarity to the extent that you describe.

Prof. Garth Nicolson