Anyone ever hear of burning tongue?

[Kay H Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Kay H]

In March I started with ulcers on my inner cheeks and inner corners of my mouth. My PC Doc thought it was herpes, treated me for herpes and sent me for blood work in 6 weeks. Negative for herpes. Asked to be referred to oral surgeon. Also started having a burning sensation on the tip of my tongue, along with enlarged papillae.

Oral surgeon tried the elimination theory. Treated me for viral infection, auto immune, fungus and yeast infections , along with a biopsy of one of the ulcers. All treatments unproductive and biopsy came back as "nonspecific ulcer", which didn't tell us anything. Also had a regular dental app't in the interum and when I arrived my mouth was too sore so I refused the cleaning.

Oral surgeon sent me to U of P to a specialist. Now very few ulcers, which only last one day, but very sore tongue. He thinks I am biting my cheeks ( which if I am it has to be at night because I don't do it diring the day), says ulcers don't only last one day so it can't be ulcers. I had no mouth ulcers when he saw me. Wasn't concerned about my tongue because "lots of post menopausal women get this" (so who cares?) and ordered a CBC (normal), iron level (normal), folate (normal and B12 ( very, very high).

I go back in 2 weeks but I'm at my wits end. The ulcers are no longer a problem because they occur so seldom but my tongue is driving me crazy.

Anyone have any experience with this? I know lots of post menopausal women and none of them have this. I guess the oral surgeon at U of P knows different people than I do.

My local oral surgeon and I think it is some of the medication I am taking but can't stop any of them to test that theory. Internet does not list these as side effects of any of my prescriptions.

Sorry this is so long but I'm going crazy.
__________________
Kay H

[JLB Please excuse me, I'm a Dick. Not a moron just a Dick Find all posts View Profile Close JLB]

My mind was going there, as I had that problem recently, but the OP seems too serious for levity.

Hope you solve the problem, Kay.

Let the pizza cool off some before eating.

[Gracey Member Find all posts View Profile Close Gracey]

Kay, I feel for you! I am a dental hygienist and one of my patients has been dealing with this for a few months already. Like you she has seen an oral surgeon and also an ENT. Her etiology is unknown. She has found some slight relief with this line of rinses drugstore.com - online pharmacy & drugstore, prescriptions filled

I also remember a thread last year on tug about this issue http://www.tugbbs.com/forums/showthr...burning+tongue
Good Luck!

[Glitter Brunello Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Glitter Brunello]

This article does mention that incidents are higher in post menopausal women...


Burning Mouth Syndrome - February 15, 2002 - American Family Physician

[wackymother Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close wackymother]

Kay, I have that sensation of burning on my tongue sometimes. In me, it seems to be a reaction to pesticides. I got too close to one of those mosquito lanterns a few years back and noticed that my tongue started feeling funny; by the time I figured out what was happening and got away from the lantern, the whole lower part of my face was numb.

Later, if I was exposed to pesticides (like I went to a movie theater for an early-morning movie and they must have sprayed that morning or the night before), my tongue would start burning. It's been better and worse over the past few years; it's usually better in the winter, because there are fewer pesticides blowing around in the outside air. My doctor wanted me to go to an allergist for it and I haven't, because it has slowly, slowly gotten better overall.

[idahodude Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close idahodude]

Not completely sure this is burning tongue syndrome since that usually doesn't have any ulcers.

That said, burning tongue syndrome is literally a pain for patients and doctors alike since doctors don't understand fully what causes it and so can only offer treatments that provide some relief. But none of these provide complete relief to most patients so things must be "trial and error". The good new is that it's not life-threatening (although it certainly impacts quality of life). "Doctor Donahue" actually gave a nice synposis in one of his articles recently.

[happymum Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close happymum]

This article does mention that incidents are higher in post menopausal women...


Burning Mouth Syndrome - February 15, 2002 - American Family Physician

OK, that's freaky. I actually know one of the authors of the article.
Unfortunately I have no advice or helpful hints to offer.

[Kay H Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Kay H]

I have a few (undocumented) theories. First off, I was on a Beta blocker for my elevated bp, which I was taken off of when my pulse rate became too slow. I was prescribed an ACE inhibitor instead. One of the theories on the cause of burning tongue is ACE inhibitors, along with numerous other theories.

Now if some researcher would do a study to see if these post menopausal women with burning tongue are taking ACE inhibitors instead of just saying that it is common in post menopausal woman and indicate that no one really cares.

Also many say these women suffer from depression and personaity disorders and they prescribe anticonvulsives and anti depressants to treat the disorder. Well I'm sure that by the time these women go to the Dr they may be depressed and frustrated because of no let up from the chronic pain and no promise of a cure. That's enough to make anyone depressed and have a personality disorder (as in p*ssed off at the Dr. Sometimes their attitude p*sses me off).

Enough of my theories.

I do appreciate your suggestions and I am trying some new palliative measures to see if I can improve the situation. I have just about convinced myself that this is something I have to live with. At least it isn't fatal