Burning Mouth Syndrome

[Lucyjo16]

I am 54, going thro' meno, have suffered terrible burning mouth for past 2 years. Does anyone know a cure? Does HRT help? I've tried just about everything else! GP not any help.

What do you mean by burning mouth?

Is it there all the time of does it happen after you've eaten certain things (Google oral allergy syndrome)?

Set aside menopause for a moment (it irks me that just about everything in women over 40 is attributed to menopause/peri-menopause, sometimes in a very dismissive "stop complaining" sort of way). I'm late 40's and "it's just your age" is one of those phrases that really boils my piss sometimes!

Think about your general health for a few mins. Apart from burning mouth, do you have any other health niggles?

It's not certain foods - I have it all the time & it is apparently a common menopause problem. The specialist put me on amitriptyline but they don't help - apart from helping me sleep, I have asked for hrt but gp refused & I wondered if it had helped anyone else - if so I'll try for it again! I also have bladder/intimate problems! Take citalopram for anxiety/depression as well. Totally fed up!!

I had it on and off for a while but it seems to have gone now so I do think it is menopause related. I found it helped to eat or drink something extreme (hot, cold, spicy) it's counter intuitive as you would think more soothing things would help, but for me, they made it worse

Common in menopausal women, doesn't mean actually CAUSED by menopause tho, iykwim! Sorry to labour that point but I think it's an important one LOL, I may be projecting my own pissed offedness at being told everything in my life at the moment is caused by peri-menopause

Lots of things get more common as we get older- autoimmune conditions (which women are more at risk of), and metabolic issues both of which might be underlying causes of burning mouth, but I assume your GP or consult would have tested for various things already? Have your blood sugar levels been tested since since your symptoms started (high BS could cause yeast/thrush infection, even if those levels are below the threshold for Diabetes)? B12, iron etc levels tested? Coeliac screen done?

Sorry, can't answer your question about HRT as I'm not on it, but I know my mouth problems (not a permanent burning, but sore cracked tongue and ulcers and intermittent burning of a few hours caused by some food, raw figs and pineapple for example), resolved when I went gluten free (for other health reasons), stopped using toothpaste with SLS in it, and started supplementing with B12 and Methyl folate. Which of those things did the trick, is anyone's guess unfortunately!

Why have you been refused hrt?
My understanding is patches are suitable for most women, even those who can't take pills (I won't be able to have pills due to migraine and stroke risk).

I haven't been refused HRT, I've never asked for it as I've not felt the need to.
I have a long history of very frequent migraines with aura (although I've had only a tiny handful of migraines since going Gluten free a few years ago), so I doubt anyone would be very keen to prescribe it anyway due to the risks.

But, as you have asked for it and been refused, have you asked your GP to explain why he/she is reluctant to prescribe it? Maybe it's time to ask for a second opinion?

You said you asked for HRT but it was refused.. here: I have asked for hrt but gp refused & I wondered if it had helped anyone else

Burning mouth is not a meno symptom. If you think it is, can you link to some information? What does happen at meno is that certain conditions can flare up or start- eg allergies. Burning sensation in the mouth can start with certain foods especially those of the nightshade family- potatoes, tomatoes, aubergines. I find avocado and bananas sometimes make my mouth sore or tingle.

Lack of B vitamin can cause cracks at the corners of the mouth and sores.

Migraine with or without aura is not a reason to refuse HRT- read the information by the Migraine Trust- very clearly explained. HRT is not like the Pill- far lower doses.

You also need to ask for vaginal estrogen for your vaginal atrophy- that's what it's called when loss of estrogen causes bladder and vaginal problems.

Pollyperky - I think you were replying to lettucewrap not me!
I did ask for hrt & gp said no because of breast cancer risk.
No one appears to have had any positive results for BMS with hrt.
I was so hopeful!!
Lucyjo

Lucy No, I was replying to you.

In your post (2nd one) Lucyjo16 Thu 19-Oct-17 09:23:45 you did say you have asked for HRT and it was refused. [no reason given by you.]

You also mentioned vaginal soreness and bladders. I also have bladder/intimate problems! Take citalopram for anxiety/depression as well.

I don't know what your breast cancer risk is- have you had BC? Has your mum or sister, at a young age? These are the only absolute risks that need consideration and even then, HRT is not a definite no-no.

Patients I've seen with it were all under ENT. Not a meno thing, I've seen men with it too. It's just more common in older women.

I'd ask for a referral.

www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/burning-mouth-syndrome/symptoms-causes/dxc-20179960

More common in women, post menopause, over 50.

Doesn't mean it' s meno symptom though.

You still need vaginal estrogen cream even if you are at high risk of BC as vaginal estrogen is safe.

Whoops, Museummum, I mistakenly thought you were the OP, asking my why I had been refused HRT - sorry

My dentist referred me to a maxillofacial consultant who has put me on low dose amitriptyline - help me to sleep that's all!
I tried alpha lipoic acid - did nothing!
Presently taking: Citalopram, Amitriptyline, fish oil, omega 7, vogel menopause support.
Totally fed up with it.
Sorry to moan!!

Ah - sorry Lucy but the patients I've seen (always coincidentally for something else) have never had any joy either.

Thanks Hulder - I just wish I could find someone who has found a cure!