Hi Billeye,

Here are several articles I found by "googling", with some information that may be helpful, regarding causes of, and treatments for, BMS/Burning Mouth Syndrome. See below, and see what you think about this, regarding your own case of BMS.:

Carol
http://cantbreathesuspectvcd.com

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http://forums.about.com/n/pfx/forum....tag=ab-healing

Several things from this interesting thread/topic (from about.com) about Burning Mouth Syndrome (BMS) include:

1) One patient got it from pesticide exposure

2) Another patient got it from a dental procedure

3) Another patient may have got it from a Candida yeast infection in her mouth ("thrush"), since in her case, yogurt (probiotics) helped. Look for a milk-free, gluten-free powdered bifidus &/or acidophilus formulation. Mix with room temperature spring water.

4) Another pt. found that a very low dose of a tranquilizer got rid of most of the pain, without having a tranquilizing effect.
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http://www.aafp.org/afp/20020215/615.html

This interesting article includes many possible causes of burning mouth syndrome, even some causes that the authors don't think are likely, but that should be considered anyway.

One example of a long shot, is "... chemical irritation and allergic reactions to dental materials and galvanic currents between dissimilar metals [in the mouth]..."

The authors include many possible treatments, too.

Here's some info from this article:

"OTHER POSSIBLE CAUSES"

"Case reports have linked burning mouth symptoms to the use of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors.23-25 Once these medications were reduced or discontinued, oral burning was found to remit within several weeks. Interestingly, loss of taste sensation has also been reported with the use of ACE inhibitors.23 "

[I READ THAT LOSS OF TASTE SENSATION, CAN CAUSE AN INCREASE IN PAIN RECEPTOR FUNCTION]

"Candidal infections [YEAST INFECTIONS] are also purported to cause burning mouth syndrome. Although candidiasis can cause burning pain, its prevalence has not been found to be increased in patients with the disorder compared with control populations.5,8 "

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http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/ace-inhibitors/HI00060

is the link to an article that talks about ACE inhibitors.

"ACE inhibitors treat a variety of conditions, such as high blood pressure, scleroderma and migraines."

Some examples of ACE inhibitors include:

"Benazepril (Lotensin)
Enalapril (Vasotec)
Lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril)

Uses for ACE inhibitors

Doctors prescribe ACE inhibitors to prevent, treat or improve symptoms in a variety of conditions, such as:

High blood pressure
Coronary artery disease
Heart failure
Certain mild kidney diseases
Heart attack prevention
Scleroderma
Migraine prevention

Side effects and cautions

Side effects include dry cough, increased blood potassium level, rash, dizziness, lightheadedness, changes in taste and reduced appetite over long intervals. In rare cases — but more commonly in blacks and in smokers — ACE inhibitors can cause your tissues to swell (angioedema). If it occurs in the throat, that swelling can be life-threatening...."

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http://www.dentalplans.com/Dental-He...h-Syndrome.asp

Here are some quotes from this interesting article:

"Are underlying medical conditions associated with burning mouth syndrome?"

"Certain conditions such as Sjögren's syndrome [You already mentioned this], diabetes [Melody knows much about this], thyroid disease and liver dysfunction have been associated with burning mouth syndrome, ..."

"...most people with Sjögren's syndrome have very dry mouth and almost all of them have a yeast infection as a result. When the majority of Sjögren's patients are treated with antifungal medication, they no longer have burning mouth."
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http://www.healthy.net/scr/Column.asp?Id=651


Alpha lipoic acid is an antioxidant which has been shown to be beneficial for diabetic neuropathy. Another study showed that it was also helpful in "burning mouth syndrome". This syndrome is characterized by chronic pain on the tongue and sometimes the anterior palate and lips without any visible lesions. It is most often seen in postmenopausal women and has characteristics of being neuropathic pain. In a study of 60 patients, half received 200 mg of lipoic acid 3 times a day or placebo for 2-5 months. 97% of the patients improved versus 40% of those in the placebo group. 13% had complete resolution of their pain and another 74% had "decided improvement" where none of the placebo patients had this level of improvement. Almost all the patients showed some improvement by two months with 73% still showing benefit at the end of 12 months despite having stopped the treatment. That lipoic acid helps in several kinds of neuropathies suggest that it is worth trying in others as well, as it is quite benign and not very expensive."
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But, there can be some pretty bad side effects of Alpha Lipoic Acid, so see following article that lists these adverse effects!

The benefits may not be worth the risk!

http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/infocenter/othernuts/la/
"Adverse Effects [of alpha lipoic acid, "LA"]

In general, LA supplementation has been found to have few serious side effects. Intravenous administration of racemic LA at doses of 600 mg/day for 3 weeks (53) and oral racemic LA at doses as high as 1800 mg/day for 6 months (56) and 1200 mg/day for 2 years (55) did not result in serious adverse effects when used to treat diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

Two minor anaphylactoid reactions and one severe anaphylactic reaction, including laryngospasm, were reported after intravenous LA administration (40). The most frequently reported side effects to oral LA supplementation are allergic reactions affecting the skin, including rashes, hives and itching. Gastrointestinal symptoms, including abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea have also been reported. Malodorous urine has also been noted by people taking 1200 mg/day of LA orally (60). "