I have created this blog as a forum for exchanging comments, information and resources for people suffering from Burning Mouth Syndrome. If anyone has received help for this condition, I would like to hear about it. And I'd like to start sharing recipes that those of us with BMS can eat -- soft, mild foods that taste good!
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Name: Angela Winston
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Saturday, November 04, 2006
Burning Mouth Syndrome
I'm starting this blog to create a forum for exchanging comments, information and resources for people suffering from Burning Mouth Syndrome. I was diagnosed with the condition in September, 2006. So far attempts to treat it have been unsuccessful. My symptoms include burning in the front part of my mouth, an extremely sore roof of the mouth, and a persistent sore throat. It's not so bad in the morning, but gets worse throughout the day.
My story started in July, 2006, following oral surgery for extraction of a tooth. A week after the surgery I was feeling better but I realized that it hurt to eat canned tuna fish. I suspected it was a result of using the harsh mouthwash, Peridex, that was prescribed for use for three weeks after my surgery, so I asked my oral surgeon if I could stop using it. He said yes, I could use warm salt water instead.
But the pain persisted, and several visits to the oral surgeon and regular dentist didn't help. I found information about Burning Mouth Syndrome on the Internet, including something from the American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology (www.aaomp.org). They sent me a list of oral pathologists in Texas and I was able to get an appointment with Dr. Anna Jones at the University of Texas Health Sciences Center Faculty Practice Clinic (http://dental.uthscsa.edu/patientcare/faculty.html) in San Antonio, the closest city with oral pathologists to my home in Austin. They seem to be primarily associated with dental schools.
Dr. Jones said I had a classic case of burning mouth syndrome. She said it is primarily caused by anxiety and depression and suggested that I see a psychiatrist. I immediately resisted that idea, saying "I'm not depressed." But I realized that I had been stressing incredibly about things that turned out to be not worth worrying about, like my oral surgery, work, and other unrelated issues. She also suggested that I see a gastroenterologist as acid reflux could be causing my sore throat. She prescribed an oral rinse, dexamethasone, saying it was not a permanent solution but might help ease the inflammation.
A few weeks of the dexamethasone didn't help so I decided to see my GP instead of going to a psychiatrist. As I understand it, these days most psychiatrists just prescribe medication, and my doctor can do that. He put me on nortriptylene (an anti-depressant) and Lyrica (an anti-inflammatory? I can't remember now) and told me to come back in a month.
None of these medications seemed to be helping so I went back to the doctor a week ago and he switched me to Cymbalta, which is used to treat both depression and pain. I don't think I've been taking it long enough for it to kick in yet and haven't reached the maximum dosage, but my mouth feels worse than it did before. Maybe the other meds were helping after all, in such tiny increments that I didn't notice. However, I really think it had started feeling worse before I changed prescriptions, so maybe it just goes through cycles. I'm going to stick with the Cymbalta long enough to see if it makes a difference.
This is my first post--later I will write about some of the emotional ups and downs I've been through. I welcome your contributions to my blog. If anyone has received help for this condition, I would like to hear about it. I would also like to start an exchange of information. (Where do you get original flavor Biotene toothpaste? Not the original fresh mint flavor.) And I'd like to start sharing recipes that those of us with BMS can eat -- soft, mild foods that taste good! I'm a native Texan, and I'm suffering severe withdrawal from Mexican food. I plan to post some recipes later, too.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Angela Winston
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wayju7@bellsouth.net says: | 2009-08-20 23:29:42 |
| I''m Judy. I''ve had BMS for about 5 years now. My tongue and palate burn constantly, except when I am really focused on doing something. Like when I''m in the pool, I don''t notice it al all. Or when I''m playing cards or any activity that takes my mind off my mouth. I go to bed every nite with a sugar free cough drop tucked in my jaw. I don''t think I could sleep without that, because when I''m in bed, I''m not focusing on anything but the burning. As for toothpaste, my dentist put me on a perscription toothpaste. It''s called PreviDent 5000 by Colgate. It has flouride in it. I don''t have cavities anymore. I get my teeth cleaned twice a year. Also, he said not to drink lemonade, because the acid in lemons would eat the enamel off my teeth. I have a diseace called Sjogrens Syndrome and BMS is just secondary to my disease. I''m on an anti depressant and Klonopin and Evoxac. Klonopin is for anxiety and is the only anti-anxiety drug that actually has the side effect of producing more saliva in my mouth. All the rest cause dry mouth which makes my mouth burn worse. Evoxac is great. It''s a salivary stimulant, much better than Salagen for me. Hope some of this helps you. I know your pain. | ||
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Allie says: | 2009-11-27 13:28:46 |
| I have BMS and so far have not found any help. I do not want to chase doctor after doctor for no answers, so I am researching on the internet as best I can. I am trying the ceyenne pepper. I also am a Texan. | ||
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Susan says: | 2010-06-18 20:37:24 |
| I also have BMS that started after oral surgery. The oral surgeon swears it had nothing to do with it. I really am miserable, only had it about a month. does anything out there help? | ||
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Karen says: | 2012-07-13 17:30:52 |
| have had BMS for almost a year , just went to an oral Patholigist and he prescribed Neurontin. Have only been on it for a few days we will see, also taking Alpha Lipoic Acid 600mg twice a day.Any othe suggestions | ||
Comments: 4