What the hell is happening to my tongue?

[TrenchArse]

I’ve been feeling under the weather for a few days and yesterday I woke up with really painful lumps on my tongue. A quick google suggested it could be a Covid symptom but I’ve done several LFT’s and they’ve all come back negative. I called the doctor this morning as swelling had got worse and it was still painful. Doctor suggested it may be an allergic reaction and to take an anti histamine and ibuprofen to help with swelling and pain. I’ve done that and it’s made zero difference.The doctor just spoke to me over the phone so he didn’t see my tongue.

It’s now really swollen that it’s affecting my speech and it’s uncomfortable to keep it in my mouth, if that makes sense. It’s more comfortable to just let it flop out. I’ve called 111 and a doctor should be calling me back in the next couple of hours. It’s going to be a real struggle if I have to go to hospital as I have 2 dc’s who would have to come with me which I’d really like to avoid.

Has anyone had anything like this before? I’m sucking ice cubes which seems to help a bit but it’s so painful and uncomfortable

Vitamin B-12 affects oral health. As a result, being deficient in vitamin B-12 may cause the following mouth problems: glossitis, which causes a swollen, smooth, red tongue.

No other suggestions -sorry. I hope the Dr that calls has some suggestions.

Random question. You haven't taken Clomid have you?

Do you have a pharmacy near you that you can go to while you wait for the phone call? If the swelling gets worse I’d be worried about it blocking your airway.

Do you have family, friend or neighbour who could look after your DC?

I would seriously call 111 and ask to be seen if your swallowing and breathing is starting to be affected that is an emergency worthy appointment!

If it is getting worse quite quickly then you need treatment asap. Even if you don’t go in to a&e, you need to be in the vicinity in case of an emergency situation.

I think you need to get you and the kids to hospital or try and get someone to watch them.
You can't just wait around while your tongue is swelling.
I'd whack another antihistamine down also.

The first time I had cold sores they attacked the whole of my mouth and throat and I was in agony with it.

It's a long time ago so I can't really remember what it looked like but if you google it shows similar - and I found this
patient.info/childrens-health/viral-skin-infections-leaflet/primary-cold-sore-infection
Clearly if you have previously had cold sores this isn't the answer

It looks like geographic tongue .

Could be burning mouth syndrome/geographic tongue. Pretty unpleasant conditions.

It’s not geographic tongue, my tongue has definitely never had grooves or bumps in it previously and as far as I can tell geographic tongue looks like something that you’re born with.

Still no call back from the doctor yet but it doesn’t seem to be getting any worse. There’s absolutely no one who could have my dc unfortunately so I’d need to wake them up and drag them to hospital with me (over an hour drive away) if the doctor does want me to go in. I’ve taken some more piriton and ibuprofen and I can still swallow. I’m more concerned that it will swell up more in the night when I’m asleep and I won’t know about it.

Apologies for the ratter graphic photo of my incredibly meaty tongue too.

@NannyGythaOgg I’ve had cold sores as a kid and teenager but I don’t think I’ve had any flare ups since. Certainly none that I can remember. I’m pretty sure it’s not an allergic reaction either as I haven’t eaten anything unusual at all.

Mine looked like that when I had oral thrush from taking antibiotics and steroids.
Doc gave me a gel .. sorry can't remember the name of it .

Ask a pharmacist? No idea what it could be though (sorry!) a friend of mine had a yeast infection and complained about a sore tongue, didn’t mention any swelling though.

Rapidly swelling tongue does need urgent medical attention. However, could it be hard foot and mouth? Do you have a rash/spots as well?

Are you on any medications? Other than the ones the GP have you? Some drugs can cause swelling in the mouth and neck e.g ACE inhibitors like rampril and non- steroidal anti inflammatory drugs. If it was caused by them it’s not an allergic reaction as such.

I have to say from the picture I though it looked like primary herpes but if you have had cold sores that would be unusual.

The other thing I thought was maybe shingles but it seems to be on both sides from the picture whereas shingles is usually untilateral. Do you have any dental hospitals near you? An oral med specialist would be the best to look at you (they are only open during the day) but I would think someone should be examining you in person. If it isn’t getting worse that is reassuring but I don’t think anyone will be annoyed if you went to a and e.

Hope it gets better soon!

I don’t take any medications other than the contraceptive pill and I’ve been on the same one for 6 years since the birth of my youngest. The only thing that could have possibly changed is that I’m wondering if I’m beginning to enter peri menopause as I’m late 30’s and been having really heavy periods and hot flushes for the last few months. I can’t find anything about the menopause that mentions your tongue transforming into a lump of gammon though.

It doesn’t seem to be getting any worse so I’ll try the pharmacy and give my dentist a call tomorrow. Thanks for all the advice.

Oh god op how awful!! Your meaty descriptions are making me laugh though. No advice apart from go to a and e if it gets worse and sending good vibes over the ether. Meatily…

Your description of feeling run down first does suggest it could be a viral attack of some sort.

Actually the more I think about it, if it is viral like herpes, anti virals could help but you have to take them quickly.

Google covid tongue. Can you take a lateral flow test?

Do you have a sore throat? When I was younger I had similar with my tongue, accompanied by a sore throat both got worse, I had a fever, headache, general aching and lost my voice, then the tongue bumps became open sores that were also on the roof of my mouth and down my throat, doctor said it was ulcerated tonsillitis. I've never been so unwell in my life.

Any chance you’ve been exposed to hand foot and mouth?

I know hand, foot and mouth is doing the rounds here, but tbh not sure what it looks like.
I really would go to a and e, in case it swells more, your throat could be similar too.

@JurgensCakeBabyJesus I’ve had my tonsils out as I had constant tonsillitis as a kid. I wonder if it could be the same infection but in my tongue instead as no tonsils for it to live in? That’s probably not how it works at all though

I hate to be so useless, but I had exactly this!... but I can't remember what the cause was

It was only one, and it was in the last year.. really horrible, but from memory it just went away. I certainly didn't end up in hospital, but I would've taken a boat load of antihistamines because I have a couple of bad allergies.

So, don't avoid the doctors because of my post, but reassured that it disappeared as quickly as it arrived. I think it was 2 days?

Oh yes, and I remember feeling better with it sticking out!!