I am getting older, and although singing has always been a big part of my life, COVID put a hold on performing, and I am just now getting comfortable with the circumstances that surrounded me when it was at its peak.

I attempted to get back to singing a couple of years ago, but groups were not requiring COVID vaccination, and my precious grandson, who has Cystic Fibrosis, was not old enough to be protected. I had to pass.

Now, he is vaccinated regularly along with me, my family, and close friends, and I feel safer in crowds in general. My husband and I have resumed most of our social activities, and I am going to try singing in a group once again.

People have asked, “Doesn’t singing bother your burning mouth?”

Yes. Yes, it does. I have to power through the initial pain and get past what I think of as a usage barrier to get to the other side. The other side is a smoothing of the pain to my regular, more tolerable level, and the joy of self-expression seems to be worth the discomfort to me. I am sure it would not be that way for everyone. Over time and disuse, I have lost range and quality to my voice, and I hope that singing in a large choir will give me the time and practice to develop and bring back some of that capability.

Talking for long periods can also be uncomfortable, and the same pattern seems to apply for me. When I was first dealing with BMS, I became withdrawn and did not communicate in my usual extroverted fashion. It was strange to realize later that depression did not shut me down as much as shutting down caused me to be depressed.

Think through whether you have withdrawn from family and friends and communication due to your BMS discomfort, and whether it has had negative effects on you. Medication (Clonazepam ODT 1 mg per day, dissolved on my tongue and swallowed) and coping strategies (Xylitol gum, plenty of hydration through the day and cold drinks when pain flares) have allowed me to live a close-to-normal life. As you chronic pain sufferers know, that is a rare gift and one we appreciate.

Does anything cure Burning Mouth? No.

We don’t know of any definitive diagnostic tools, symptom treatments that work for everyone, or even a hint of a cure at this point. Check out the Burning Mouth Support Website for more information and the latest research we have.

That’s just the situation, and we all pray it will change.

Meanwhile, my friends, for the sake of my health and my soul…I will sing.