i understand some people with acid reflux sufffer as i do from burning tongue.
this means their taste bads have beden damanged due to acid in reflux.  my 
taste buds were damaged when i cheewed up a time release pill wich is made up
of acids.  i have suffered for four years with this.  i need help.  i need to
know of something for relief if not cure.

---

Request for Question Clarification by umiat-ga on 19 Dec 2003 09:29 PST

Hi, sidapt!

 Can you let me know if you have tried any remedies for your tongue so
far? What does the doctor say about this? If you let me know what
remedies you have tried it will help me to avoid going over familiar
territory. I'm sure this conditions must be very irritating, if not
downright painful. I wil see what I can find out for you :)

umita

Hello, sidapt!

 I am not sure from your question whether you also suffer from Acid
Reflux or you equate your "burning tongue" symptoms with only chewing
the acid relief pill. It seems unusual that the acid from chewing a
pill would still have such a strong effect four years later. Either
way, it seems as though you "may" now have a condition which, believe
it or not, is called "Burning Tongue" or "Burning Mouth Syndrome."

 Burning Tongue Syndrome is a condition that continues to frustrate
doctors as well as patients. In many cases, the cause is unknown and
reliable treatment is hard to find. A comprehensive medical exam is
recommended to rule out a number of possible contributors to the
condition. The type of relief you seek is contingent on a medical
exam. Treatment may run the gamut from vitamin/mineral supplements,
giving special attention to the B vitamins, to prescriptions
medications and in some cases, antidepressants.

 I suggest you read over the following references since your condition
could actually stem from other causative factors besides accidentally
chewing a pill. If anything rings a bell, at least you will have a
place to start. If not, I hope you will follow through with a good
medical diagnosis. You might want to start with a good Ear, Nose and
Throat doctor.

 I am not a doctor and Google Answers is not to be a substitute for
medical advice. Therefore, I will provide you with the resources I
have found concerning a "burning tongue" and advise you to make an
appointment for a medical checkup so you can get a proper diagnosis.

 

==


From "BURNING TONGUE AND MOUTH." Brighton Dental Group.
http://www.brightondental.com.au/brighton/default.cfm?teeth=burntongue

"Glossodynia, or glossopyrosis, is not a specific disease entity but a
symptom of burning sensation of the tongue. It is a very common
condition, particularly in women more than 50 years old. Some of the
causes are oral thrush, iron or Vitamin B deficiency, a benign tongue
condition called geographic tongue, a common skin rash in the mouth
called lichen planus, dry mouth, diabetes, or less commonly hormonal
factors and allergic reactions. Treatment is aimed at management of
the underlying abnormality."

"However, in the vast majority glossodynia represents a manifestation
of anxiety and/or depression with no clinically visible changes. The
tongue is usually normal, although there may be slight redness at the
tip of the tongue occasionally. The complaint is often of a burning
sensation at the tip and sides of the tongue. Similar symptoms may
appear in any area of the oral cavity, such as the palate and lips,
and then the condition is called burning mouth syndrome. The condition
may show remissions and exacerbations and may persist for some time.
There is no specific treatment, although various antidepressant
medicines have been used successfully. Occasionally referral for
counselling is helpful."


====


Also read "Look for Organic, Treatable Causes of Glossodynia." (2000)
http://www.findarticles.com/cf_dls/m0CYD/17_35/65538300/p1/article.jhtml

The article highlights likely causes of burning tongue, including iron deficiency.

** "Those who complain of burning are more likely to have iron
deficiencies, Dr. Rogers noted."
 

===


From "Burning Pain of Tongue." ECureMe
http://www.ecureme.com/emyhealth/data/Burning_Pain_of_Tongue.asp


"Burning tongue is characterized by a constant burning sensation in
the tissues of the tongue. It can involve any portion of the tongue or
the mouth, including the tip of the tongue, sides of the tongue, parts
of the roof of the mouth (palate), and inside the lips and cheek
areas."

"BMS often affects women in their 50s and 60s more than men." 

"The cause is unknown. Vitamins and mineral deficiencies, viral
infections, drugs and medications, and neurological disorders all need
to be considered as potential causes and ruled out."

"There are no single successful treatments."


===


From "Burning Tongue." Dental Resource.
http://www.dentalresource.com/ss10.htm
 
"A burning tongue can be caused from a variety of reasons, among them are: 

1. A vitamin deficiency (usually vitamin B-12 and/or folic acid)
2. Deep fissures in the tongue can be conducive to a yeast infection, 
3. dry mouth or 
4. Can be a symptom of a systemic disease. 

"For a dry mouth try to moisturize your mouth by keeping a water
filled plant mister at you bed side. A mist rather than a sip of water
does a better jobs moisturizing the mouth. Put a little lemon juice
into the water: it helps to stimulate the saliva glands. Consider
sugarless gums or candy to help try and moisturize your mouth.
"Xylifresh" is an excellent choice and is available in health food
stores. Use a moisturizing gel like "Oralbalance." Use a saliva
substitute such as "Glandosane", Consider a prescription of "Salagen"
(generic is Pilocarpine Hydrochloride, 5 mg, three times a day). Very
effective although some minor side effects so consult your physician
or dentist. Consider home application of topical fluoride via
custom-made fluoride trays."
 
"For a yeast infection consider a prescription anti-yeast medication
such as: "Nystatin", " Nizoral" or " Difflucan"."
 
"For severe burning of the tongue consider taking a prescription of
steroids. Use of the steroid "prednisone" should be monitored closely
by your physician or dentist."


===


From "What is Burning Tongue Syndrome? by Carl M. Allen, DDS, MSD.
Healthy Info.com (Nov. 2001)
http://www.healthyinfo.com/clinical/burning.tounge.shtml
 
What is Burning Tongue Syndrome?
--------------------------------
"Burning mouth syndrome is a relatively common condition which is
characterized by a complaint of an abnormal sensation of the lining of
the mouth which most patients describe as feeling like their mouth has
been scalded. Usually this sensation develops in the front part of the
mouth, typically affecting the inner surfaces of the lips, the roof of
the mouth, and the sides and tip of the tongue.

*In some patients, only the tongue will be affected, however, any
combination of these sites may be seen. Some patients may have
decreased taste ability or altered taste sensation. In all cases,
however, the lining of the mouth clinically appears normal."

Who gets burning mouth?
------------------------
"Most patients who develop burning mouth syndrome are post menopausal
women. We usually see about ten women for every man that has burning
mouth syndrome. Interestingly, men develop this condition, on the
average, about fifteen years earlier than women. This does seem to be
a relatively common problem which is seen all over the world. For
example, in Holland, patients with burning mouth syndrome have formed
a suppport group. This seems to be a condition which affects people of
all races and all socioeconomic backgrounds."

What causes burning mouth?
--------------------------
"Nobody knows. There are a few uncommon diseases which should be
tested for, such as anemia, diabetes and oral yeast infections. For
most patients with burning mouth syndrome, however, those tests turn
out to be normal. Some investigators have suggested that burning mouth
may be a problem related to the nerves in the mouth or that it may be
caused by a reduced amount of blood flowing to the mouth, however, no
one has proven those theories. We do know that burning mouth is not
related to anything serious, such as cancer or AIDS. Furthermore, it
is not contagious-it can't be passed from one person to another."

How do doctor's diagnose burning mouth syndrome?
------------------------------------------------
"Burning mouth syndrome is diagnosed by doing blood tests and blood
cultures to make certain that one of the other problems mentioned
previously is not present. If those tests are all negative, and if the
lining of the mouth appears normal, then we can make a diagnosis of
burning mouth syndrome."

How is burning mouth syndrome treated? 
---------------------------------------
"Unfortunately, no one has developed a medically proven treatment for
burning mouth syndrome. I suppose the main problem is that we don't
know what causes burning mouth syndrome, therefore it is difficult to
develop a treatment for the problem. A variety of medications, such as
female hormone replacement therapy and vitamin therapy, have been
tried, however, such treatments either have no effect or their effect
is no greater than what we would expect to see with placebo
treatment."

How long will the burning sensation last?
-----------------------------------------
"Again, we cannot say for sure. We do know that with some patients,
the condition will resolve after a period of time, but no one can
predict how long that will be. For the most part, this problem is a
nuisance, and it is a frustrating situation for both patients and
doctors."



==


From "Canker Sores and Burning Tongue," by Douglas Hoffman, (Second page)
http://www.ivillagehealth.com/experts/ent/qas/0,,242110_173049-2,00.html?arrivalSA=1&cobrandRef=0&arrival_freqCap=2

(I have only excerpted the relevant information from the this article)

"Your second symptom is known as glossopyrosis, which translates as
"burning tongue." It is important to realize that glossopyrosis is a
term that describes a symptom (like vertigo for whirling dizziness, or
neuralgia for pain) and is NOT a diagnosis. Glossopyrosis, oddly
enough, almost always occurs in postmenopausal women. While this would
suggest a strong hormonal connection, many women with this problem are
on appropriate levels of estrogen supplements. Nevertheless, if my
patient is a postmenopausal woman and she is not taking an estrogen
supplement, I usually recommend that she ask her internist or
gynecologist if she is an appropriate candidate for estrogen therapy.
(As you may know, estrogen supplementation is controversial in women
who have a personal history of breast cancer, or even a strong family
history of breast cancer.)

There are many other possible causes of glossopyrosis:

B vitamin deficiency
---------------------
"Several of the B vitamins have been implicated, and many people have
speculated about deficiencies of other vitamins or minerals
(especially folate). Consequently, I usually recommend that the
patient take a multivitamin and mineral daily supplement, if she is
not already doing so."


Oral yeast infection (thrush)
------------------------------
"While this is often obvious on examining the mouth, it can, on
occasion, be a very subtle infection.


Sensitivity to toothpaste, mouthwash or denture-cleaning agents
---------------------------------------------------------------
"Most of these substances contain a detergent called sodium lauryl
sulfate. Some patients note great improvement of their symptoms if
they eliminate these substances entirely. You can find some very
creative alternatives. (You can, for example, brush your teeth or
dentures with baking soda. It is nasty-tasting stuff, but it does the
job quite well.)"


GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease)
--------------------------------------"
 Reflux (backflow) of stomach acid and digestive enzymes into the
esophagus and mouth can theoretically cause glossopyrosis."


Idiopathic causes
-----------------
"When doctors don't know what has caused a problem, they say the cause
is "idiopathic." That sounds much better than "I don't know."
Unfortunately, many cases of glossopyrosis are idiopathic. Doctors
have devised a variety of "magic cocktails" for such cases. These
cocktails include substances such as steroids, antifungal drugs,
antibiotics, antihistamines, Milk of Magnesia and artificial flavors
and colors."
 

==


From "Burning mouth syndrome." (Released Sept. 3, 2003) 
http://heartburn.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?site=http://www.eurekalert.org/pub%5Freleases/2003%2D09/aogd%2Dbms090303.php

"Burning mouth syndrome (BMS), a painful disorder affecting mostly
women, is a constant and aggravating source of discomfort for more
than 1 million adults. Patients' experience a burning sensation in
their mouth, palate, lips and tongue, as well as partial or complete
loss of taste, dry mouth and thirst."

"New findings explain how anxiety and depression may be a precursor
that triggers this difficult-to-diagnose syndrome, according to a new
report that will be published in the September/October 2003 issue of
General Dentistry, the Academy of General Dentistry's (AGD) clinical,
peer-reviewed journal."

"Oral habits of anxiety and depression may include repetitive tongue
thrusting and bruxism (teeth grinding) which can irritate the mouth
and lips and have been reported to cause BMS symptoms in up to 70
percent of patients suffering from this chronic disorder."

"Pinpointing the pain source can be a trying task for patients and
their health care providers," explains Andres Pinto, DMD, lead report
author, who states more females in their 20's and 30's are also
experiencing this syndrome, oftentimes due to stress."

"Other overall health conditions linked to BMS include anemia,
gastroesophageal reflux disease, undiagnosed diabetes, nutritional
deficiencies, hormonal imbalance and a yeast or candida infection in
the mouth."

"If you have BMS, analyze your overall health and note any
life-altering events or stressors that occur," encourages Lois Duerst,
DDS, FAGD, spokesperson for the AGD."

"According to Dr. Pinto, some patients experience relief after
stopping their oral habits brought on by stress."

Do You Have BMS? Check For: 
---------------------------
* Burning sensations in mouth area
* Dry mouth
* Altered taste perception
* Changes in eating habits
* Irritability
* Depression
* Changes in medications

Possible Treatments: 
---------------------
* Antifungal therapy
* Vitamin and mineral replacements
* Creams or lozenges containing capsaicin
* Hormonal replacement
* Antidepressants
* Mental health counseling
* Intraoral appliances


===


From "Burning tongue." National Center for Emergency Medicine Informatics.
http://www.ncemi.org/cse/cse0410.htm
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Symptoms
---------
"The patient is very uncomfortable with a burning sensation of the
tongue or mouth. There may be xerostomia (reduced salivary flow),
dental disease, geographic tongue, candidiasis or no visible
explanation for the pain.

What to do:
-----------
Treat specific causative factors such as candida infections or dental problems. 
Provide symptomatic relief with a one-to-one mixture of Benadryl
elixir and Kaopectate, or prescribe viscous lidocaine. f the etiology
is uncertain, refer the patient for a comprehensive medical
evaluation.

Discussion
----------
"Burning tongue or burning mouth symptoms are usually caused by
xerostomia, candidiasis, other chronic infections, referred pain from
the tongue muscles, dental disease, reflux of gastric acid,
medications, noxious oral habits, blood dyscrasias, nutritional
deficiencies, allergies, inflammatoriy disorders, psychogenic factors,
or unknown causes. Geographic tongue results from loss of filiform
papillae from patches on the dorsal surface of the tongue. The
location of the patches may appear to shift over a period of weeks. It
is usually not painful and does not require specific treatment."


===



 The following information from a message board indicates that a
dental exam might be the first order of business in tackling your
problem.

From "BURNING TONGUE." The Neurology and Neurosurgery Forum (1997)
http://www.medhelp.org/forums/neuro/archive/2158.html

"Burning in the tongue and on the lips can result from stomatitis, in
which case the examining dentist or physician should see abnormalities
on oral examination. If no such abnormalities are evident, the
disorder is termed the "burning mouth syndrome". No specific cause of
this syndrome has been identified. It is believed to result from an
interplay of local, constitutional, and psychogenic factors. Dry
mouth, ill-fitting dentures, abnormal tongue movements, depression,
anxiety, nutritional factors, and systemic disease are some of the
things that can be treated in an attempt to alleviate the symptoms.
Dentists are the best experts to consult for this bothersome problem."


==


"GLOSSODYNIA (BURNING TONGUE)." Brookwood ENT Associates.
http://www.brookwoodent.com/gloss.html

"Many patients present to the otolaryngologist complaining of burning
of the tongue. In the majority of such patients, a careful history
reveals a dental abnormality (cracked or broken tooth, missing
filling, new bridge or crown) that the patient explores with the tip
of the tongue. Usually the remainder of the tongue appears normal. If
there is no such history, consideration should always be given to the
development of sensitivity to fluoridated toothpastes, mouthwashes,
irritating or spicy foods, or certain drugs, such as thiazides. In
those cases, though, the symptoms and findings are more generalized
along the tip and sides and top of the tongue. Such patients should be
treated by eliminating the use of toothpaste and substituting sodium
bicarbonate as a dentifrice. The use of mouthwashes should be
discontinued. All but essential medications should be discontinued for
a period of time. A bland diet and elimination of alcoholic beverages
should also be observed as a trial. The patient's general health and
nutrition should be examined closely, and in some cases where a
history of poor nutrition exits, the diet should be supplemented with
therapeutic multivitamin preparations."

"Despite exhaustive efforts to find a cause for glossodynia, in some
cases such efforts are to no avail and the symptoms continue."


===


If you have any interest in a more natural approach, please take a
look at the following articles:

"Tongue disorders." Herbs 2000.com
http://www.herbs2000.com/disorders/tongue_disorders.htm


"Burning Mouth and Tongue."
http://alternative-medicine-and-health.com/conditions/burningmouth.htm


===


A message board which has a string of posts regarding a Sore and
Burning tongue may be found at
http://askwaltstollmd.com/archives/bracing/32261.html


===


Finally, a recent article points to the success of antidepressants for
the relief of symptoms of burning tongue.

Read "Burning tongue or burning mouth?" VOL 113 / NO 4 / APRIL 2003 /
POSTGRADUATE MEDICINE
http://www.postgradmed.com/issues/2003/04_03/cc_apr.htm
  
"Typically, patients with glossodynia have anxiety, depression, or
somatization. Unfortunately, neither topical agents (eg, lidocaine
hydrochloride solutions, gargles containing alcohol, antihistamine
liquids) nor vitamin, mineral, or nutritional supplements consistently
provide relief. A wide array of psychotropic agents--from
benzodiazepines to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and
tricyclic antidepressants--may be effective treatment."


===


 I know this might be "less of an answer" than you had hoped for.
Unfortunately, burning tongue is a common but mysterious condition
that has no easy answers. Even medical doctors disagree on the cause
and proper cure for burning tongue. It may take a while for you to
find the right treatment to alleviate the burning sensation.

 I wish you the very best of luck. I know this must be a very painful
and frustrating condition. Perhaps it will help a bit to know that you
are not alone.

 If I can clarify anything further for you, please let me know. 


Sincerely,

umiat-ga


Google Search Strategy
"burning tongue"
pub med source - burning tongue

---

Request for Answer Clarification by sidapt-ga on 20 Dec 2003 10:01 PST

I have been examined by numberous doctors. Have tried various
therapies including vitamin B shots, brain wave tests, all kinds of
x-rays, examined by throat doctors, dentists, and my general
physician.  Is there any kind of relief for the burning toungue caused
by chewing time-release pills.  The medication was a heart medication
given to me following a stent implant in my heart to open up blood
flow.

---

Clarification of Answer by umiat-ga on 20 Dec 2003 21:31 PST

Hello again, sidapt,


I really have found nothing "specific" to burning tongue which was
initiated by chewing an acidic pill. All I can reiterate is that:
 
*** regardless of the cause or initial onslaught of burning tongue, it
is still trial and error to find relief. ***

All the remedies I mentioned in my original answer should be taken
into consideration. You mention that you have tried Vitamin B
supplements, had a dental exam and been examined by throat doctors and
general physicians. It is not unusual to find that these doctors
simply have no answers as I mentioned previously and which is evident
from the various articles I referenced.

** However, there were many other suggestions contained within the
original answer that you may not have tried. **

** Antidepressants, in some cases, have been shown to be effective in
relieving the symptoms of burning tongue. Why this has been successful
is not totally understood. Stress and anxiety can play a part in
burning tongue syndrome but it is not the only cause. It certainly
sounds like your previous medical problems regarding the implantation
of a heart stent could trigger anxiety (it certainly would in me!!)
which happened to coincide with the chewing of the pill (therefore
causing you to equate the burning tongue with the pill chewing
incident rather than the stress following the heart procedure.) Have
you tried an antidepressant regimen prescribed by a doctor familiar in
their use with burning tongue syndrome?

What I am trying to stress is that although the initial symptoms may
have initially occurred during the accidental chewing of the
timed-release pill, it sounds as though it has mushroomed into a
full-fledged medical condition. Therefore, any of the reasons for the
burning and subsequent treatments should be tried and ruled out.

Please read the following forum that contains all sorts of suggestions
that have and have not worked for people with burning tongue:

"Geographic Tongue II." Garden Web.
http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/herbal/msg1115593125251.html 

I have extracted some suggestions that have worked for individuals,
but this does NOT mean they will work for you. I can only stress that
each individual is different.

Please read the ENTIRE forum for all the suggestions. Many will not
apply to you, but some may be worth a try.


* Cutting out acidic foods and juices
--------------------------------------


* 100 milligrams twice a day of the COMPLETE B complex.
-------------------------------------------------------
 (You say you have already tried this)

 "Having lived with Geographic Tongue for the last 8 years, I have discovered 
that a B-100 (mg., not %) complex, once a day, will completely suppress all 
symptoms. However, should I get a cold or flu at any time, a very small part 
of the Geographic Tongue will reappear. Furthermore, if I stop taking
the B-100 for any reason, the Geographic Tongue will begin to reappear
in approximately 3 days."


* Zinc Picolinate
--------------------
 "I have found that Zinc Picolinate 25mg every day helps. My dentist also 
recommends brushing the tongue very thoroughly to keep it clean."


* Nyastin Oral Suspension
------------------------
"After visiting several Eye,Ear,Nose +throat "specialists" and being
told by all there was nothing to be done I just metioned it to a
fellow carnut friend and he sugested I try ""NYSTATIN ORAL SUSPENSION
USP>". I did, and it works!!!!After using this product for two days,my
Geographic tongue is almost completly clear.
 

* Benadryl and Lidocaine Mouthwash
--------------------------------
"We've found no successful treatment though a mouthwash of Benadryl &
lidocaine is mixed at the pharmacy & helps when it's really bad.


Yeast Allergy and Vitamin Regimen
---------------------------------
"My Aunt had geographic tongue fifty years ago. She found, by vitamin
experimentation that she developed an allergy to yeasts. Her problem
was really a fungus on the tongue. At 89 years old she's in great
health, because she's takes care with her diet ( leaves out anything
with yeast ) and has a very good vitamin regimen."


Baking soda, biotene mouthwash, Cortizone 10, Myclex
------------------------------------------------------  
"To all those who are asking about a remedy for Geo-Graphic tongue. I
have found one that really returns me back to normal. This is after
seeing 19 doctors and being ripped off by many theories and quacks.
You see they have been doing research at UCLA. Being an art
instructor, I have a student who is a research doctor at UCLA and for
me looked into what was new in research on GT. The regimen is simple.
Twice a day brush tongue with baking soda and if lesions bleed that is
OK. GT is a fungus is need to be broken down with brushing. After
brushing swish mouth and tongue with biotene mouth wash, which you can
get at pharmacy. Do this for about 5-10 minutes. When starting to
remove lesions do the following. Just before going to bed take
Cortizone 10 (you can get at pharmacy over the counter) and rub over
lesions on tongue and let stay for the night. This should done for 10
days and then off 2 days, then do for 8 days and off 2, then 6 days on
and 2 days off, then 2 days on and then off until you have another
outbreak. Do as needed. I also found the use of the drug Myclex
trouche 10mg 4 times a day for as long as needed also greatly helps. I
no longer take the mycelex. I don't need to anymore. You need to get a
prescription from your doctor for the mycelex. I know GT is a terrible
problem and it hurts to no end. The regimen that I spoke of, works for
me. If it works for you, write me and thank me AND the research doctor
that told me of this. The previous 18 doctors didn't have a clue about
GT,which is sad. Best of luck. Try this. It worked for me."


======


Aside from these suggestions, I recommend you try any of the regimens
in my initial answer which you have not previously considered.
Treatments for candida yeast infection, Creams or lozenges containing
capsaicin, possible prednisone treatment, lidocaine and iron
supplements were just some of the possible treatments that you have
not mentioned trying.

I again want to stress that I am not endorsing ANY of these
treatments. They are only suggestions which I have uncovered from my
research. I sincerely hope that one of them will work.

If all of the over-the-counter treatments fail to provide relief, then
you might want to consider visiting a doctor who is willing to explore
treatment with antidepressants. Sometimes the mere anxiety and stress
associated with the anticipation of the burning tongue can create a
vicious cycle that can feed upon itself. Perhaps a medication that
will relieve the stress associated with your painful condition could
be an answer.

Again, I sincerely wish you the very best of luck in finding relief
from your symptoms.


umiat

---

Request for Answer Clarification by sidapt-ga on 21 Dec 2003 06:20 PST

i appreciate the information, but it is not what i need.  i feel i know
what caused my problem. i need to know if anyone has something for relief.
i was in the hospital because of a slight heart attack.  i was given blood
thinners while i waited for a stent to b e put in a closed artery.  they
had to delay my angioplasty and i started bleeding from my nose.  they put
in the stent immediately.  while i was in recovery, the nurse brought in 4
plavix pills and insisted i swallow all at once.  one pill hung in my
throat and gagged me.  despite every attempt to make the pill go down, we
failed.  we decided the pill was gone and it just felt like it was hung. 
when they brought me more pills to swallow, i chewed them up.  that is
when my problem started. my tongue burned and everything tasted bitter. 
the problem has been with me ever since.   i have been examined by
excelent doctors....all kinds.   i have taken b 12 shots for several
months.  i have been to dental schools and had all kinds of exams..they
treated me for yeast infection.  all kinds of exams (magnetic, brain wave,
alll
xrays available,.....no good results anywhere.  if i could find 
something for a little relief, this would all be worthwhile.

---

Clarification of Answer by umiat-ga on 21 Dec 2003 08:26 PST

sidapt,

 I have not merely given you reasons for the burning tongue...  I have
provided every means of treatment that I have found for burning
tongue.

You have stated:
 "i appreciate the information, but it is not what i need.  i feel i know
what caused my problem. i need to know if anyone has something for relief."

 I originally asked for clarification as to what doctors and methods
you had tried before I answered your question. You did not answer the
clarification but went on to ask a second question several hours later
that duplicated the first. Did you see my clarification in that time?
It would have saved me many hours of work if you had mentioned that
you had already been "examined by every kind of excellent doctor."
 When you finally answered my request for clarification, (after I had
already answered the question) you mentioned that you had taken B
vitamins, visited dentists, had brain wave tests, x-rays, etc).
Therefore, I spent several more hours researching again, concentrating
on finding other treatment methods as well as restating methods that
did not include those that you have already tried.

 You have now stated again that "i need to know if anyone has
something for relief."

 I want to stress that I have done that in my answer. I have directed
you to every means of treatment that I have found through research. I
have twice asked if you have tried the antidepressant approach, which
has been shown to be successful. I have mentioned topical applications
like lidocaine, minerals like iron and zinc, homeopathic remedies,
Corizone, Myclex, Nystatin, refraining from certain foods, gargles,
baking soda, etc.
 I am in a quandry, here. I understand that you chewed up the pills
and that you have visted many excellent doctors with no results. I
understand that you have tried various remedies and visited excellent
doctors.

 Again, you state "if i could find something for a little relief, this
would all be worthwhile."

 I have answered your question concerning every possible source of
relief that I have found through research. After reading your
statements about the remedies you have tried, I also firmly believe I
have stated many remedies that you have not yet tried. I cannot do
anything more than your original question asked, which was to find
sources of relief for burning tongue.

 umiat

---

Request for Answer Clarification by sidapt-ga on 22 Dec 2003 11:03 PST

all information received is information readily available on the
internet.i cannot get any two doctors to agree on the cause.  I DO NOT
HAVE ACID REFLUX.
I HAVE SEEN  DOCGTOR AFTER DOCTOR.  I HAVE HAD EVERY CONCEIVABLE KIND
OF TEST AND EXAY. I wanted to know if anyone had found ANYTHING THAT
WOULD GIVE SOME
RELIEF.  oNE SPECIALIST SAYS ONE THING AND ANOTHER SPECIALIST SAYS JUST THE
OPPOSITTE.   I NEED RELIEF.  SURELY THERE IS SOME KIND OF RELIEF. 
THAT WAS THE INTEST OF MY QUESTION.   SID-APT@SBCGLOBAL.NET

---

Clarification of Answer by umiat-ga on 22 Dec 2003 20:14 PST

Hello again, sidapt!

 I truly understand how frustrated you must be after visiting so many
doctors and getting different opinions with every one that you visit.
Being in pain is no fun at all, and trying to find an answer can seem
like an eternity.

 I am asking you to bear with me here while I clearly outline all the
treatments I have suggested that may have been hidden in my answer.
While you say that this information is readily available on the
internet, it is still from reputable medical sources as well as from
fellow-sufferers. You asked a research question and I answered using
available resources. I cannot manufacture treatments that are not
available.

 The following treatments have proven to work for some individuals and
not others. As I stressed in my previous answer, treatment for this
condition is very specific to the individual. It is also a very
difficult condition to treat (as you already know.)

 The treatments I have listed within the references in my previous answer include:

* Iron supplements
* B vitamins, esp B12 or folic acid (which you say you have tried)
* Vitamins C, A, and E (listed under the natural therapy links)
  yeast infection prescription medications (which you say you have been 
  tested for)
* Hormone supplements relative to menopause
* Alternative toothpastes in case of allergy to sodium lauryl sulfate
* Steroid (prednisone) medications for severe burning of the tongue
* Cerain antibiotics
* Antidepressants
* Counseling
* Itntraoral appliances for dental abnormatlities (which has been ruled out)
* Zinc Picolinate
* Nyastin Oral Suspension
* Benedryl and Lidocaine Mouthwash
* Capsaicin lozenges

* iron: 60 mg. daily (after checking with your doctor to see if you need it). 
  B12:1,000 meg. dissolved under the tongue daily. 
  Folic acid: 800 meg. daily. 
  Zinc: 50 mg. daily. 
  http://alternative-medicine-and-health.com/conditions/burningmouth.htm

=

* If burning tongue is due to a chronic deficiency of gastric acid,
use bitter herbs to trigger the flow of stomach juices. Dandelion,
wormwood, plantain, black radish and nettle juice are effective. Take
1 tbsp. of herbal juices three times daily.

* Take 20-30 drops of Echinacea three times daily to help relieve the pain. 

* Vitamin B complex, 50 mg three times daily 
  Vitamin C, with bioflavonoids, 1,000 mg 
  Vitamin A, 25,000 IU (avoid during pregnancy) 
  Vitamin E, with mixed tocopherols, 400 IU 
  http://www.herbs2000.com/disorders/tongue_disorders.htm


Your last clarification states:

"I wanted to know if anyone had found ANYTHING THAT WOULD GIVE SOME
RELIEF.  oNE SPECIALIST SAYS ONE THING AND ANOTHER SPECIALIST SAYS
JUST THE OPPOSITTE.  I NEED RELIEF.  SURELY THERE IS SOME KIND OF
RELIEF. THAT WAS THE INTEST OF MY QUESTION."

==

I have done my best to provide you with every treatment I have found
that has worked for various individuals. I cannot guarantee any of
them will work for you.

Duke's Magic Mouthwash
-----------------------
One of my fellow researchers, crabcakes-ga, just offered a suggestion
to foward to you concerning Duke's Magic Mouthwash. Apparently it was
prescribed for all manner of sore mouth problems. I have excerpted the
information from "American Family Physician." (You will have to see if
you can get a pharmacist to mix up a similar concoction for you,
possibly with a doctor's recommendation.)

"In the June 1, 2000, entry of "Diary," we shared a letter mentioning
Duke's Magic Mouthwash. Several readers have since requested the
recipe. It was developed at Duke University and is used for aphthous
ulcers. The recipe mixes nystatin suspension, 100,000 U per mL, 30 mL
or nystatin powder 3 million units, 60 mg hydrocortisone and
diphenhydramine HCL syrup to a sufficient quantity 240 mL. Ten mL is
swished and swallowed four times a day for five to 10 days. JTL has
prescribed Duke's Magic Mouthwash with generally favorable results.
While many of these remedies use viscous lidocaine or diphenhydramine
as their base, JTL has been intrigued by the variety of "additives,"
which seem to confer medicinal properties. JTL has found this
concoction to be easy for pharmacists to prepare and agreeable to
patients: 120 mL viscous lidocaine; 40 mL erythromycin (400 mg per 5
mL); 40 mL methylprednisolone elixir (15 mg per 5 mL). He instructs
patients to gargle and swallow or spit out (depending on location of
the lesions) 5 to 10 mL at least five times daily until lesions
resolve. While this concoction works nicely for sores located in the
oropharynx, lesions located around the lips and gums may benefit from
a combination of topical corticosteroid gel (e.g., fluocinonide) and
an oral antiviral remedy such as acyclovir, as noted in a published
report (J Inf Dis June 2000;181:1906-10).
http://www.aafp.org/afp/20001201/diary.html



** I also invite anyone who sees this question and who suffers from
burning tongue syndrome to post any treatment that has worked for them
in the comments section.

Let's see what happens, okay? Hang in there!

Sincerely,

umiat

I requested a remedy to my problem...I specifically stated that I
chewed up a time release pill that caused my problem.  I needed a
remedy or relief to that specific cause.