Dentists & Burning Mouth Syndrome

canstockphoto16774292I am nearing nine years with Burning Mouth Syndrome, and if you have read this blog, you know I have tried many things to control or cure it. So far, the only thing that has been a reliable relief for me is Klonopin/Clonazepam Orally Dissolving Tablets.

Meanwhile, as those of you who suffer from BMS know so well, life goes on and so do regular dental appointments. Even if you don’t correlate the onset of BMS to dental work (many of us do), having someone working on your mouth when you are in pain can still be psychologically challenging. Continue reading

The Selfish Side of Pain?

Woman Journaling in Pain DiaryI have been writing about Burning Mouth Syndrome (BMS) for years now, and recently a reader reached out to me and said she had been dealing with this chronic pain for over fifteen years. She had read one of my blog posts and has been keeping a pain diary for the first time ever.

“Hallelujah, sister!” I wrote. Continue reading

Burning Mouth & Neurologists

Doctor Appointment for Burning Mouth SyndromeIt’s just about time for my yearly check-up with my Neurologist. I refer to him as #3, since that is how many I have gone through in over 8 years of dealing with Burning Mouth Syndrome (BMS).

Yes, you read me correctly…I am now at yearly check-ups. Continue reading

Coping With Stress and BMS

09a9aa5c07898aca806cc27863f79d20As you know, I have been dealing with Burning Mouth Syndrome for far longer than I ever thought possible.

I know there are those of you who are entering or have passed your second decade with this chronic pain and my heart goes out to you.

All of us who have dealt with BMS know that stress just makes it worse. We have seen the pattern again and again, and yet, life goes on.

I am considering a run for a local, elected office.

No stress there, right?

The urge to make a difference and be of value has trumped my hesitation to put myself out there and add stress to my life…so how will I handle it? Continue reading

BMS-Your Invisible Companion

2016-6 Tulsa 40 Reunion 4I ran into an old friend the other day, and the first thing she said was, “You look great! Is the Burning Mouth gone?”

Those of you who suffer from this mysterious chronic pain (or others like it) know exactly what I felt in that moment.

In a flash, you decide whether to tell this sweet, well-meaning person that, “No it hasn’t gone away, but thank you for asking.” (Potentially opening yourself up to a protracted conversation about it, right?)

OR Continue reading

Something New – Burning Mouth Syndrome Support

Burning Mouth Syndrome Support Icon8 years of chronic burning pain. The anniversary has passed, and so we start on the 9th year. 

I have always had this feeling that something good just might come out of all of this mess, and with the help of my friend Dennis from the Facebook Support Group for BMS, I think that “something good” may have made its appearance. Continue reading

Burning Mouth Syndrome-On Its Own

Warmth---Fire

Many of these posts that follow this one first appeared on another blog I have called, “Kali’s OQM Musings,” that explores the parallels between parenting and management, along with some personal life writing. If you are interested in those topics, feel free to check in!

Burning Mouth Syndrome became a very popular topic on that blog, and it was suggested that I break these posts out into their own venue.

My goal is to share some of my journey with this mysterious, and incredibly persistent syndrome, and perhaps to help you along the way.

Stop in any time, comment if you wish, and if there is a question I can help you with, I will be happy to do so.

Welcome.

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Gaming the Pain-Burning Mouth Syndrome

Pensive WomanIf you are here for information about Burning Mouth Syndrome (BMS) and my journey with it, you are in the right place.

I am continuing the information I shared in “A Pattern of Pain – Burning Mouth Syndrome, so feel free to read that post first if you haven’t already.

I outlined my experience with Klonopin/Clonazepam ODT Dissolving wafers and how much better they seemed to manage my pain. This is still the case, but I wish I could tell you that I was completely out of pain, or better yet, in remission. Neither is true, unfortunately. I have good days and bad days, but fewer bad days than I used to.

A couple of months ago, I became curious about these bad days. They had become more sporadic, but why? What was different on those days that made my usual therapy nearly ineffective? Continue reading

Pain Puzzles – How Long to Solve Them?

Anniversary CakeAs many of you know, I am very close to the 8th anniversary of my second bout with Burning Mouth Syndrome.

A friend I made on the Burning Mouth Syndrome (BMS) Facebook group page named Dennis and I have stayed in contact even after I left the group.

(Trolling is bad, boys and girls; don’t do it because people like me will not hang around for it!)

He became interested in the syndrome after his lovely wife was afflicted, and has been keeping up on research, traveling to multiple specialists, and keeping others informed about any progress toward finding a cause or a cure, no matter how tangential it might be. Continue reading