Mouth ulcers - TMI

[KatyMac]

I have 3 largish mouth ulcers on the side of my tongue (2 visible & 1 further back)

I can't talk or swallow; as it is so painful

I can't even swallow my saliva & I can't spit it out either

I am so, so miserable; the GP would laugh though wouldn't they? The dentist has told me there is nothing that can be prescribed

It's funny, now it's all gone down & I feel better, I'm all a bit emotional about it and a bit scared

katy I have seen some of your other threads, I get mouth ulcers. After a long time, I have managed to pin point food triggers, the tiniest amount will set them off and they take ages to go away. I have tried lots things. Only a strict food exclusion regime works. For me, it's grains, yeast and dairy.

I second the Betnesol. My dermatologist prescribed it to me as soluble tablets, to be used as a mouthwash. Have you looked at the NHS website at common food causes of ulcers? And other causes as well. It's definitely worth a look.

My dh used to get lots of big mouth ulcers (grey ones, at least 5mm in diameter, not the tiny white dots). He has cut gluten, sugar and caffeine out of his diet and they have gone. He had them since being a child, he's now 42 and hasn't had one since.

I mostly get them when I am run down and need to take things a bit easier. But the worst I ever gad turned out to be glandular fever. Had to pad the inside of my cheeks with cotton wool so they didn't rub on my teeth and stop me sleeping with pain.

So if I ever got them that badly again, I'd definitely be asking medical professionals to take a look, just to rule out anything other than being v stressed.

I have IBS - I've been checked for coeliac etc (I've had more tests than I can shake a stick at)

I have some form of arthritis (unspecified), Fybromyalgia & CFS

I am currently on an exclusion diet for FODMAPS - so there is not a lot else I can cut out until I get past the next stage (reintroduction)

I think that I need someone to look at me as a whole system rather than the separate bit (bowels/joints/allergies/diet/ulcers/exhaustion) but Dr House doesn't really exist unfortunately

I feel your frustration. And yes, a medical professional to look at the whole picture would be good. I have endless frustrations with conventional medical professional and complimentary practitioners, all of whom think they have the answers or suggest trying another avenue that is not their area of expertise. I have definitely learned over the years that each body is different and finding a one fits all solution is impossible. MN is not the place to discuss complimentary therapies but if you wanted to pick my brains, do PM me.

Oh Katy, I've just realised it's you from the old 'Could this be uncerative colitis?' thread! So sorry you're still poorly :( This all sounds autoimmune to me. Have you got a rheumatologist?

My DH suffers too but has been much improved by eating an egg every day. More eggs if he has ulcers. He's evangelical about it!

Interesting, wonder if that's because of the iron?

OP it sound like you need to see a specialist in oral medicine. Recurrent oral uncertain often is a stand alone condition, but can also be part of a systemic condition. A biopsy of the ulcers is useful. An oral med specialist will have links with immunology, haematology and dermatology. Between them They should have some answers for you.

Oh and FGS do not put an aspirin on them! They cause chemical burns. I'd suggest peroxyl mouth wash and also difflam spray.

So would a specialist in oral medicine be referred to by a GP or a dentist?

Have you tried changing your toothpaste?

My DH suffers badly from mouth ulcers. He hates anything like bonjela as he says it just slows down the healing process. He went through stages of having 8-10 ulcers at one time and was barely able to eat.

It turned out that he was allergic to an ingredient in most toothpastes called sodium laureth sulphate. He switched to Sensodyne Gentle Whitening (I don't have shares in that btw and am sure there are other brands that don't have SLS in them) and it solved the problem almost immediately. He only gets ulcers occasionally now.

Not sure if it would work for you but it might be worth a try.

Another trigger for which is apparently a very common cause of mouth ulcers is mustard.

A dentist can refer you to oral med.

Interesting about eggs

Just his experience but may be linked to the protein and cholesterol aiding repair.

Dentist here who also suffers with painful ulcers.I find Peroxyl mouthwash helps. I also keep a tube of denture fixative handy to apply before eating or drinking. Its a bit messy but does help with the discomfort. Regular painkillers help as well.
I would push for oral medicine referral. Stress, some foods (tomatoes) and a number of medical conditions can be the cause.

please don't put an aspirin on them can cause pretty bad burns, please go to your dentist and get a referral to oral med there are things that can be done. unfortunately once you have ulcers there isn't much will help them, all the things above may just relieve them a little bit.

I had horrific ones all over my mouth and tongue on and off for months once and was truly miserable. Only thing I tried that worked was L-Lysine supplements (you can get them from holland and Barrett).

Good luck, proper ones are bloody awful.

dentist or gp can refer you.

Thanks everyone

I get them. Here's what I do if I feel a bad bout coming on

1. Double the Folic acid tablets I take every day (still within guidelines)
2. Eat as much lightly steamed broccoli as I can bear.
3. Check I'm not using DH's toothpaste instead of my own all natural, no sls toothpaste.
4. Get an appt for my B12 injection ( I have pernicious anaemia).
5. Take a l-lysine tablet every day.

I have no idea if it's the combination of the above or just one of the above that helps me but something does. They are so tiny but so painful. HTH

Seeing the GP tonight - I am suggesting I want to see an Oral specialist; if they aren't keen do I volunteer to go privately?

You should be able to get a referral to oral med on the nhs. I'm a dentist and I do referrals often for patients

Thanks - I know my GP isn't often keen to refer for anything