Gransnet forums

Health

Burning Mouth Syndrome

(40 Posts)
Katyj Wed 27-May-20 17:39:28

Hi, I have this horrible condition. There is no cure unfortunately, I’ve seen a specialist at the dental hospital, had blood tests and saliva tests, everything came back normal. It does come and go, depending on how stressed I am ,currently it’s not too bad ?Good luck, let us know what the dr says.

MsChe Wed 27-May-20 14:54:20

Oopsadaisy3
WOW! Thank you. It's something to consider. Really appreciate your feedback. Thank you!

Oopsadaisy3 Wed 27-May-20 14:24:37

Msche the builder hadnt long had the op, we were his first job.
He said though that he at least had some saliva in his mouth, but we didn’t speak much about it, he was still sore but he said that to him it was better than before.

MsChe Wed 27-May-20 14:22:58

Shrub
I am so sorry to hear that. I can't even imagine living with this condition for much longer but slowly I am beginning to come to terms with it and I think the sooner I do that the sooner I can get on with my life.
If you are convinced about your silent reflux then there are things you can do and I am sure you have already made those changes to your diet and lifestyle. I don't know about the other condition. Since you have lived with this nasty condition for 20 years maybe you can share some tips please.
Take care and thanks for sharing.

Shrub Wed 27-May-20 13:30:27

I’ve suffered from this for about 20 years and I am convinced it is linked to my hiatus hernia and silent reflux. But the medics don’t agree!

Toadinthehole Wed 27-May-20 13:12:17

Oh thank you, yes, I don’t really breathe through my nose at night, unless I’ve managed to clear it with a rinse or the spray, so I may try that. Yes, speak soon?

MsChe Wed 27-May-20 13:09:02

Toadinthehole
Just an afterthought! In case you have difficulty breathing at night and for those who suffer with BMS, I find that nasal strips that help with snoring, really really help. In fact I can't sleep without them at night and wish that I had discovered them years ago when the dry septum and crustiness first started. Anyway good luck and speak soon x

Toadinthehole Wed 27-May-20 12:57:06

Aww, God bless you too?. You and I sound like we have the same nose!! I have a condition which has caused me to have nose bleeds for last 40 years. After years of cautery/ laser etc. I now have a perforated septum....which crusts and itches, hence the dymista. The Meilmed rinses have been really helpful over the years, but sometimes start a nosebleed. Of course, these are worse since going into menopause! Typical. I like talking as well, so much easier than all this emailing etc. I’ll talk to my friend and pm you when I can. Take care.

MsChe Wed 27-May-20 12:43:47

Toadinthehole
I also think it's the menopause alongside the stress and anxiety I suffered recently. I am not taking any HRT as I am against it for cancer related reasons and my menopausal symptoms are very mild thank goodness. No, I am not sure if the Dymista caused this. I was told to use it twice a day, everyday. I stopped it as a process of elimination once I read the side effects. And yes, possibly your sore throat is caused by it. I used it because I had crusty septum hence congestion. But for that you can also use a douche by Neilmed.
Anyway I would appreciate any feedback and hope that this chat is helpful for some. Thank you for sharing and totally agree that anything in the mouth is bad. Unfortunately I love chatting with my friends especially now during lockdown and now it's just texting since I can't really talk without discomfort.
Take care and God bless!

Toadinthehole Wed 27-May-20 12:03:18

I think it’s most likely your menopause. It is a symptom. One of the rarer ones, but a symptom all the same. I get a really dry mouth now since menopause, and it makes my throat sore. Not quite the same I know, but I feel your problem could be the next step. I do have a friend however, who is going through this now, with all the investigations. It started when she had her coil removed, which would have set off a change in hormone levels. She doesn’t have closure yet as far as I know, but I’ve only spoken to her twice since lockdown. Next time I speak to her, I’ll ask how her mouth is. Are you sure the Dymista is causing your sore throat? I use that for allergic reasons, not regularly, maybe three, four times a week. On the other hand, maybe that’s why my throat gets sore! I hope you get it sorted soon, anything in the mouth, well, the neck up really I always think, is horrible.

MsChe Wed 27-May-20 11:53:36

Did it work @oopsadaisy3
I would love to know please. And thank you for sharing.

Oopsadaisy3 Wed 27-May-20 11:49:03

We had a builder who had blocked saliva glands in his mouth
( or wherever they are situated) he had an op to sort it out, his symptoms sound a lot like yours .

MsChe Wed 27-May-20 11:23:03

Dear Tanith,
What a nasty thing to live with. I know, no one seems to be able to help. How long did your longest bout last? Do you suffer from anxiety? Anxiety is root of many medical issues and I am a natural worrier, so lately I've been doing yoga and listening to some mindfulness videos on YouTube which help me. Your mouth ulcers might be due to that.
And I've just read avoiding oranges, orange juice, citrus in general, tomatoes, cinnamon and mint help.
I hope you feel better soon and thanks for sharing.

tanith Wed 27-May-20 10:46:06

Had this on and off for a few years nothing really helps it just comes and goes, at the moment I also have a couple of mouth ulcers I’m just off to see my pharmacist for something to soothe them. Both GP and dentist have said it’s one of those things that’s hard to find a cause and neither was much help. If it’s really bad I suck ice chips or a water ice lolly.

MsChe Wed 27-May-20 10:40:04

Hello everyone. I hope you and your loved ones are all doing well.
I guess if you are reading this means you have this God forsaken disease. It's been a living hell for me for the last couple of months and because of lockdown I only got to speak to a specialist yesterday.
A little background about myself. I am a woman of 53 who started menopause 3-4 years ago. I have suffered with migraines all my adult life and have relied on pain relief medications for as many years. I might be addicted to them. I don't know. Anyway, I am pretty sure I have done some damage to my liver.
So, let's talk about BMS. It started just before lockdown when I admit, I was having a lot of anxiety attacks for a good 2-3 weeks after lockdown too. Some may say this could've been a contributory factor. Others might say it's my age and the menopause. Apparently mostly women over 50 suffer from this. Others might say it's nerve damage.
Others might say it's vitamin B12 deficiency or overload of iron etc etc...
Whatever it is let me tell you it's debilitating and depressing. Especially now that I know there is no cure.
Here is a LONG list of my symptoms:
1. Severe dry mouth
2. Scalding sensation or burning of my tongue and pallet.
3. Lack of saliva
4. Mucus/gluey like saliva
5. Sore gums as a result of the above.
6. Metallic and salty taste in the mouth
7. Altered taste
And here is a list of what helps:
1. Chewing sugarfree gum. Relief is temporary (RT)
2. Sipping water. RT
3. Sucking on lozenges. RT
4. Eating. RT
5. Breathing through the nose is my only alternative as breathing through the mouth is almost impossible as I get instant dryness.
6. Sleeping. I cannot feel the burn whilst asleep. So I guess when all my senses shut down for the night so does BMS.
What caused it apart from possibly anxiety? No clue whatsoever. I have also had some sinus issues in the past and have been using a nasal spray called DYMISTA. This has a dry throat side effect so I have stopped it for the last 5 days or so in the hope that this was the cause. No change so far.
I am also going to see this specialist on Monday. I shall keep you posted if anyone is interested.
As a last mote, if anyone is suffering with BMS let me tell you I completely understand what you are going through. Good luck to everyone and God bless!