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Original poster

Lots of really painful ulcers on my tongue and cheeks

32 replies

vittoria9 · 07/10/2023 21:59

About 3 weeks ago, I had a bout of extremely painful ulcers all over the top of my tongue. This was unusual because I normally would get them in my cheeks. They were so bad I could hardly eat anything except ice cream. I took an anti-fungal treatment (Nyastin?) I was prescribed that made no difference (the doctor didn't think it was fungal, just gave it to rule it out).
They eventually subsided so that I only had one or two at a tie, but have suddenly flared up again. This time they're along the side and tip of my tongue, and two big ones inside my cheek.
The doctor prescribed me a steroid mouthwash treatment to ease the pain, which I started today. It was a telephone appointment though, so he couldn't look at them. I'm going to try and see a GP in person on Monday as they say ulcers that last more than 3 weeks could be a sign of cancer.

Has anyone else experienced this? The ulcers are soo painful I'm struggling to sleep. And it's just so weird that I am getting so many of them all at once. I eat a balanced diet, take a multivitamin, go to bed at around 10.30 and wake up at 7. If I have lots of them, rather than one obvious one, is it less likely to be cancer?

It's so annoying because we're moving soon and it's preventing me from socialising, as eating and talking is hard, and I want to meet up with friends to say goodbye!

OP posts:
MustBeDueSomeBetterFeet · 07/10/2023 22:02

Have you started any different toothpaste at all? My mum had this having moved to a paste for sensitive teeth, and it was an ingredient in there which caused it.

Original poster
vittoria9 · 07/10/2023 22:03

MustBeDueSomeBetterFeet · 07/10/2023 22:02

Have you started any different toothpaste at all? My mum had this having moved to a paste for sensitive teeth, and it was an ingredient in there which caused it.

That's interesting. As in, she had lots of ulcers suddenly appear all at once?

OP posts:
HauntedGusset · 07/10/2023 22:03

vittoria9 · 07/10/2023 21:59

About 3 weeks ago, I had a bout of extremely painful ulcers all over the top of my tongue. This was unusual because I normally would get them in my cheeks. They were so bad I could hardly eat anything except ice cream. I took an anti-fungal treatment (Nyastin?) I was prescribed that made no difference (the doctor didn't think it was fungal, just gave it to rule it out).
They eventually subsided so that I only had one or two at a tie, but have suddenly flared up again. This time they're along the side and tip of my tongue, and two big ones inside my cheek.
The doctor prescribed me a steroid mouthwash treatment to ease the pain, which I started today. It was a telephone appointment though, so he couldn't look at them. I'm going to try and see a GP in person on Monday as they say ulcers that last more than 3 weeks could be a sign of cancer.

Has anyone else experienced this? The ulcers are soo painful I'm struggling to sleep. And it's just so weird that I am getting so many of them all at once. I eat a balanced diet, take a multivitamin, go to bed at around 10.30 and wake up at 7. If I have lots of them, rather than one obvious one, is it less likely to be cancer?

It's so annoying because we're moving soon and it's preventing me from socialising, as eating and talking is hard, and I want to meet up with friends to say goodbye!

I'm fairly sure that the cancer worry is when one ulcer has lasted more than 3 weeks, not when an outbreak of them has gone on for more than 3 weeks but individually they've come and gone in that time. If that makes sense. So try not to panic, but do go back to the GP and ask for more investigation as it's not ok for you to be in such pain!

I always used to get them more when I was low in B vitamins (ie when I was a vegan student 😬) and rarely get them now. I remember an outbreak that lasted about 3-4 weeks and it was awful but not as bad as you're describing.

Have you tried a hot salt water mouthwash?

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Original poster
vittoria9 · 07/10/2023 22:05

HauntedGusset · 07/10/2023 22:03

I'm fairly sure that the cancer worry is when one ulcer has lasted more than 3 weeks, not when an outbreak of them has gone on for more than 3 weeks but individually they've come and gone in that time. If that makes sense. So try not to panic, but do go back to the GP and ask for more investigation as it's not ok for you to be in such pain!

I always used to get them more when I was low in B vitamins (ie when I was a vegan student 😬) and rarely get them now. I remember an outbreak that lasted about 3-4 weeks and it was awful but not as bad as you're describing.

Have you tried a hot salt water mouthwash?

Show quote history

Thank you xxx Yes, hot water salt wash does help for a little bit!

I was thinking of taking vitamin B12, but I want to get tested for vitamin deficiencies and don't want to cause an artificial spike

OP posts:
RandyAndTheRainbows · 07/10/2023 22:06

Can be linked to Vitamin B12 deficiency.

MustBeDueSomeBetterFeet · 07/10/2023 22:12

Yes they all came on very quickly, she tried mouthwash from the GP who then referred her to the dentist, but she then twigged the correlation between the last conversation with the dentist and starting the toothpaste, and her change in routine and it cleared right up once she moved away to her old one!

Sawaranga · 07/10/2023 22:12

Change your toothpick to SLS free and eat a daily egg. Cleared up DC's ulcers quite quickly.

MustBeDueSomeBetterFeet · 07/10/2023 22:14

Quickly googled but it was a reaction to the SLS in the toothpaste : myacare.com/blog/how-safe-is-the-sodium-lauryl-sulfate-in-toothpaste#:~:text=Exposure%20to%20SLS%20in%20toothpaste,%2C%20lips%2C%20and%20tongue).

Frightenedbunny · 07/10/2023 22:14

This happened to me.. my friend suggested I could be pregnant as it had happened to her. I laughed! Turned out she was correct. I was 8 weeks pregnant.

whatthebejesus · 07/10/2023 22:15

I had something similar after I had my second child. Turned out I had a very low folate and iron deficiency. I felt terrible.
Please go and get your bloods checked x

Bibbitybobbitty · 07/10/2023 22:18

Hand foot & mouth virus? I had ulcers in mouth & all way down oesophagus for 3 weeks, needed antifungal & antibiotics as got infected. My then 2 toddlers had it very mildly so didn't know it was this till baby got it after I'd already been to GPs. HF&M is often rife at this time of Yr.

Ringonrighthand · 07/10/2023 22:19

I had the same thing recently and ended up with really swollen lips like a bad filler job for about 5 days until a course of steroids sorted them out. Still had the ulcers tho and I have gradually worked out it was my toothpaste so I have changed to an SLS free one! It’s nasty OP I feel for you!

Cupofteaandcrackers · 07/10/2023 22:19

Dc had lots of ulcers, was referred to a dental hospital to rule cancer but I was told unlikely as its usually just one ulcer that is present for more than 3 weeks not multiple. In dc case it turned out to be an autoimmune condition and now medicated rarely gets any ulcers but when it occurs it usually means medication needs altering. Worth asking for some bloods doing maybe?

Guiltyfeethavegotnorhythm0 · 07/10/2023 22:24

Difflam mouthwash is really good for painful ulcers which had because of chemo you can get a cheaper unbranded version .
I know this does not solve the why though .

BramblyHedge · 07/10/2023 22:28

I had this when I was 10 and again when I was 19. Both times the doctors were unable to diagnose it. I loved on lucozade and liquid shakes for a few weeks and then it cleared up. I've still no idea what is was but it made me very ill, feverish, and unable to do anything.

ShakeRattleAndBang · 07/10/2023 22:30

I get them when I use a tongue scraper too hard or when I've been on the sauce hard.

Binglebong · 07/10/2023 22:39

You might want to get a covid test - long shot but I've just had covid and that was the main symptom.

Original poster
vittoria9 · 10/10/2023 13:20

Thanks everyone. I've been taking anti-viral pills prescribed by the doctor, Corsodyl, a local anaesthetic gel, paracetamol, steroid mouthwash, and trying a new toothpaste 😂and finally today they are starting to feel better! I can eat non-soft things again at least.

OP posts:
Maiamo3 · 11/10/2023 11:07

Did your esophagus hart when eating or drinking something?

Maiamo3 · 11/10/2023 11:10

This question was for Bibbitybobbitty

Myneighboursarewankers · 11/10/2023 11:16

I get this reaction when I eat tomatoes and it’s really really painful. Obviously could be an entirely different reason for you but to help I buy a peroxide solution OTC at boots and mix it with water to use as a mouthwash. This has been the most helpful. I use Anbesol gel or bonjela too but it only just about takes the edge off. My sympathies op as I know how shit it is x

Mayhemmumma · 11/10/2023 11:21

I used to get this when my keritin level was really low (3)
Completely stopped when I was taking iron.

Cropcycle · 11/10/2023 11:32

I get them a lot and my GP referred me to the dental hospital. They ruled out possible causes and then prescribed dissolvable betamethasone tablets which I use as a mouthwash 4 times a day as soon as they start to flare up and it stops them in their tracks before they get painful. Also some oropaste to put on at night. I’ve no idea what causes mine. I use SLS free toothpaste but it didn’t make a difference. The iron deficiency is a thought as I’ve had that in the past.

AmyDudley · 11/10/2023 11:48

The only time I've had this was when I was having chemotherapy ie my immune system was very compromised, so I'd definitely get bloods done, and get some vitamins that say they boost your immune system (I think there is one that comes in a berroca type tube and you dissolve it in water to make a drink). I had to rinse my mouth with corsodyl several time a day, I was also given a type of paste you put over the ulcer which help it heal (sorry can't remember the name).
I was also advised to use a baby's toothbrush and children's toothpaste while they were very bad. Swishing ice chips round my mouth also helped the pain, and drinking with a straw. And take pain killers, especially before eating.

My sister got very bad mouth ulcers when she had covid - so they can also be caused by your body responding to a virus.

I hope you get it sorted soon, it is utterly miserable and so sore. You have my utmost sympathy Flowers

adriftabroad · 11/10/2023 11:54

I had this when DD caught chicken pox. A week after. It was very bad. Sure it was related.