Hello all, I'm a newbie to the forum. I hope I'm posting this in the right place. I came across this wonderful web site awhile ago but just registered today. I am having a very difficult time with what I believe is burning mouth syndrome. It's not a very common problem, but since most BMS sufferers are menopausal women, I thought there may be some ladies out there that have similar problems. A few months ago I discontinued Klonopin (Clonazepam) which I was taking for a short term anxiety problem I was having. I tapered slowly off the Klonopin and towards the end of the taper, I developed a burning sensation on my tongue and a strong bitter taste in my mouth. I thought it may have been a withdrawal symptom, but it has persisted for three months since stopping the Klonopin. I researched my symptoms and sure enough it sounds like BMS. What I found surprising is one of the treatments for BMS is Klonopin, which is the medication I just discontinued! It made me wonder if the Klonopin triggered the BMS, but so far no doctors seem to think that is the case. I've been to several doctors and have had all kinds of tests for oral thrush, Vitamin B deficiency, diabetes, thyroid, etc. and all have come back normal. Luckily I was referred to a specialist in Boston who treats BMS and have an appointment next month. The worse part is the awful bitter taste in my mouth - it's there 24/7. It's driving me crazy and is really getting me down. Does anyone out there have BMS or had it in the past? Did you have taste problems along with it? I'm just feeling very alone with this strange condition, and wondering if anyone can share any experience they may have with it. Thanks for listening

Grace

have doctors said anything about glossitis? I had it several years ago. Also if you check back on the forums I remember some of the ladies talking about burning tongue . ...shelley

I don't have BMS, but I have some nerve damage on one side of my face/tongue. It causes similar symptoms to BMS. I do take Klonopin (just a small dose .25 mg) and that takes the edge off. I did research on mouth symptoms and when I found that Yale researchers had determined that BMS was probably caused by nerve damage, I decided it would be worth a try to see if the Klonopin worked for me too. I asked my neuro to prescribe it, and she did. It's done the trick for over 4 years now, and I've never had to up the dose. When the pain starts to distract me, I take .25 mg of Klonopin.

As to the bad taste, the best thing you can do is **** on something like a hard candy. There are some studies that suggest that capsaicin actually helps BMS and I have read several recipes online that give instructions how to make peppery candy. I, personally, found that ginger seemed to help with my problems, so I used to **** on small bits of candied ginger. Then I worried I'd cause cavities because of the sugar, so now I just take a small bit of ginger root and **** on it when I need to. Some people can't bide the taste of the ginger, but I don't mind it.

Hope you get some answers.

my mouth is super sore like i burnt my tongue - have been terrified it is cancer - dr says its anxiety - just about had enough of strange, weird symptoms now.

also have numb little fingers ?!?!?!?

help

p x

phiz~~I've had burning mouth syndrome since I turned 50 and it all started about the time peri hit hard! I'm almost 55 now and it comes and goes, my opinion is it gets worse when hormones are acting up. It's very common in menopause. If anxiety causes it then I would have had it most of my adult life as I'm a very anxiety ridden person I totally believe its menopausal related. Are you in peri-menopause? I'm post now but still get flare ups. The tip of my tongue always felt like I burned it. Menopause can toss some crazy symptoms at us. Hang in there, it does ease up. (((((((Hugs))))))

Fin

thank you finola

i think at times that is all we need to know, that it will go away eventually and its ok to have it in the first place, if that makes sense

i was told at work today that the numbness in my fingers, face and feet is caused by anxiety, apparently I am not breathing properly so am starving my extremities of something??

and of course the more it happens the more anxious i get and so begins a crazy dance lol

not sure where i am in meno, not had a period for two years, dont really know where that puts me

hopefully somewhere near the end (fingers crossed tight)

phiz

I used to get what I called burning mouth, did not even realize it was an actual syndrome until recently, but my mom had told me that she thought my ph balance was off and she gave me a roll of ph tape and told me whenever I got the burning to do a saliva test and she told me I would probably show acidic. So I did and she was right. So now, whenever I start feeling it start, I go in and squeeze a whole lime (surprisingly lemons and limes are alkaline) into a glass of water and drink it, and within minutes, my mouth starts feeling better. When it is really bad, I might do it twice.
Cannot say for sure I even had what they call BMS, but what I felt sounds like the description given for it & who knows, might help someone else out there like it does for me.