Oral thrush?

[Elibean]

I went to the GP yesterday, as I have a weird feeling at the back of my throat/behind my nose on one side - almost as though a bit of skin, or food, or hair, is stuck up there

She said my tongue was coated and wondered if I had oral thrush - has given me a nystatin gargle thing to try. It sort of made sense, because I scalded my throat a few weeks ago and know that thrush can grow well on damaged tissue...but then again, I had oral thrush years ago when immune suppressed and full of throat ulcers. It was really painful, and this doesn't hurt at all.

Any experiences?? Am wondering at what point to make apt with ENT man...

[sprinkles77]

oral thrush has the appearance of cottage cheese. is can be scraped off the mucous membranes leaving a raw and bleeding surface. It extremely rarely occurs in normal healthy adults. it is more likely to occur in the immunosuppressed (e.g. in HIV/ AIDS, post organ transplant, the very elderly). In 10 years working in NHS general dental practice I have never seen it. Coated tongue is a variation on normal that I see many times a day, and does not require medical interventions. it is treated by drinking plenty of fluids and scrubbing the tongue with your tooth brush. Doctors do not generally know much about oral conditions. My experience is that they do not recognise normal appearances, nor pathologies. I would get a second opinion from a dentist. It would be worth getting an opinion from an ENT or maxillo facial specialist if things are not better in 2 weeks, your dentist should be able to arrange this.

[Elibean]

Thanks - thought as much

I'm seeing an ENT specialist asap (have seen one years ago, will just go back to him).

[Elibean]

GP also said there were 'some areas of discoloration' - I can see one myself, on the uvula, and others on the sides near my tonsils. should I be panicking? Re-phrase that, i am panicking....

[sprinkles77]

please don't panic! Like i said, most GPs would not recognise a normal looking mouth if it jumped up and bit them on the bum . You cannot diagnose pathology without being familiar with the normal. Pathology is very very rarely symmetrical, so if what you can see is, or nearly is, it is very likely to be normal. Definitely get a second opinion from someone who knows what a mouth looks like!

[Elibean]

Thank you

Yes, have had a good look, and nothing wildly asymetrical jumped out at me. Pale patches on both sides, roof of mouth, and mid uvula (which is hanging straight down as it should be, I imagine!).

Do you think scalding my throat/oesophagus/mouth with burning tea a couple of weeks ago could result in those? And possibly hangy bits of dead skin at the back somewhere? It sort of feels like that, but then again I know from ulcer experience that its almost impossible to say exactly where a sensation originates from, or how big its source is, in mouths.

I shall still head for the ENT man as soon as I can get an appointment...but will sleep better for your post, Sprinkles.

[Elibean]

Hmm, other possible I suppose - am on blood pressure medication (started last October) and know dry throat/cough can be a side effect. I wonder