Tag Archives: Neuropathic Pain

Cannabis for Burning Mouth Syndrome?

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As many of us do, I haunt the online forums looking for new information or even unusual coping strategies for Burning Mouth Syndrome.  Interested in learning more about this mysterious chronic oral pain? Check out the BMS Support Website.

As I read the entries, questions, and answers, I realize that many people who are looking for Burning Mouth Syndrome support are not reporting its symptoms. Often, they are reporting much more worrisome symptoms like sores and lesions, extremely dry and cracked tongues, and other varied complaints regarding other parts of their bodies. I find myself thinking over and over, “That is not primary BMS. They need a second opinion and to investigate other underlying disorders.”

You see, primary BMS is invisible. I am not kidding! If a doctor (and believe me, I have had quite a few) looks into my mouth and throat even when I am burning most intensely, they will see nothing unusual. That is a hallmark of this syndrome and if you have visible symptoms, please seek a different diagnosis. It may be another condition that has a cure or medicines that can better treat your symptoms.

Wouldn’t that be great?

The other issue that has been floating around for ages but has gained traction as states have legalized marijuana for medical reasons or in general, is the question, “Could cannabis or CBD oil help with Burning Mouth?” Continue reading →

Revisiting Your Meds – Life With Burning Mouth Syndrome

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Medical FilesMany of us go through what I think of as the “thrashing stage” when we first start experiencing the pain of Burning Mouth Syndrome (BMS). It is a time of anger, sorrow, guilt, and confusion as we try to determine what is going on, why it happened, and what we can do about it. You may have thought, “If only I hadn’t done this, or if only that hadn’t happened…I would not be in pain.” It isn’t logical, but often, neither are we at this stage of our journey. Continue reading →

Something New – Burning Mouth Syndrome Support

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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 →

Pain Puzzles – How Long to Solve Them?

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Anniversary Cake

As 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 is 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 with 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.

He shared a recent article with me about endoplasmic reticulum stress (ER stress) and the possible linkage to neuropathic pain.

“Scientists at the University of California, Davis, have identified a key mechanism in neuropathic pain. The discovery could eventually benefit millions of patients with chronic pain from trauma, diabetes, shingles, multiple sclerosis, or other conditions that cause nerve damage.

Continue reading →

Burning Mouth…Impossible Choices

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May 2016 will officially be 8 years of burning. – No celebrations are planned.

If you have checked into this blog from time to time, you have seen me try all of the medicines and supplements and coping techniques that have come my way or been recommended by any of my Neurologists (three, so far).

Back in August 2015, I reported to you that the orally dissolving tablet form of Klonopin/Clonazepam seemed to really be making a difference for me. And it did…until it didn’t quite so much. To be fair, I recently started using a seasonal allergy spray called Dymista, and it tastes horrible. The bitter taste seemed to worsen my BMS symptoms immediately, and I didn’t think I could tolerate it. I learned how to apply it correctly, and that made it better, but since I have been using it, overall my burn has been much worse. Dymista works very well for my allergies by combining cortisone with a topical antihistamine, and I am breathing easily and clearly through the worst of a very heavy juniper/cedar pollination season in Central Texas, but increased burning seems to be the price I must pay for that.

What a decision – to burn or not to be able to breathe?

Continue reading →

The Pity Party-Burning Mouth Syndrome

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holohololand
Image courtesy of holohololand/FreeDigitalPhotos.net

I have been suffering from Burning Mouth Syndrome for nearly six and a half years now.

Every once in a while, what my Neurologist euphemistically refers to as “the persistence of it” overwhelms me and I have a brief, but intense pity party.

Instead of focusing on the optimistic side of the coin:

  • It isn’t fatal
  • At least it isn’t cancer
  • My family is supportive
  • Some drugs help
  • I have developed decent coping strategies

I occasionally dip into the pessimistic side:

  • It hurts nearly every day
  • The drug helps but can me drowsy and aimless
  • There is no rhyme or reason to the good days or the bad days
  • Even on good days, my tongue tingles all of the time
  • I think, deep down, I am angry
  • I fear – It. Will. Never. End.
Continue reading →

Internet Interventions-Burning Mouth Syndrome

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_DSC6302I have been active on a Facebook Closed Support Group page for Burning Mouth Syndrome sufferers. It is a positive experience most of the time, but occasionally things take a turn for the worse, and I see people posting suicidal thoughts and deep despair. Continue reading →