I found this about a month ago. It confirms what I've been suspecting. My mouth constantly burns and is so painful. It seems to me that if I'm interpreting this right, burning mouth can be a symtom of small fiber neuropathy in the mouth.

http://www.icms.com.au/iaop2006/abstract/147.htm

Billye

I don't know if I have burning mouth syndrome,but as a result of my SFPN I also have had my mouth,lips, & tongue affected at various times. It comes and goes, it's very migratory in my case but it could involve any part of the body, but not for very long.

A few times I had to eat frozen ice pops to numb my lips.

Hi Silverlady,
I too suffered burning mouth and my dentist and neuro just shrugged it off, since I started Lyrica two months ago I noticed that it has gone away. I take 75mg 3x a day and am titrating up. I don't like the short term memory loss but I love that my gums aren't on fire all the time, not to mention my feet feel somewhat better and my arms and hands are pain free. Might not last but I am happy for now.
P.S. I am so thrilled I found you all, thank goodness for Google!

Jannaw,
Welcome to you. This is a great bunch of people and a lot of hard won and researched knowledge. Glad you found us.
Billye

Hi Billye!

It's been awhile, since I had read some of your previous messages over at OBT (old/original BrainTalk), so forgive me if I've forgotten some things you wrote.

Did you check on possible gluten sensitivity, Vitamin B-12 deficiency, adverse reactions to toxic mold? (including how mold can release toxins &/or heavy metals, into the air, etc., from surfaces that mold is growing on)

I did a quick google check on burning mouth syndrome (BMS), and saw an interesting article, at this link:

http://www.agd.org/consumer/topics/b...mouth/main.asp

Here's a copy & paste of one section from this article, as food for thought:

"What causes BMS [burning mouth syndrome]?

The exact cause of BMS is difficult to determine. In 30 percent of cases it is caused by a variety of existing conditions that affect the oral and systemic health. Some conditions include the onset of menopause, diabetes, and deficiencies in such nutrients as iron, zinc, folate, thiamin, riboflavin, pyridoxine and cobalamin [Vitamin B-12], and complications to cancer therapy (radiation and chemotherapy) .

In 70 percent of cases, no specific diagnosis for the symptoms can be made. BMS symptoms may occur from xerostomia (dry mouth), tongue thrusting, bruxism (teeth grinding), irritating or ill-fitting dentures, and thrush (a common fungal infection characterized by a white discharge). Some research points to nerve disorders and damage; psychological factors, particularly depression and anxiety; allergies; acid reflux; and medications that cause dry mouth. It’s not unusual for a patient suffering from BMS to have more than one cause attributed to the ailment or to have health care providers fail to find any cause at all.

According to research from the American Academy of Family Physicians, about one-third of patients say BMS symptoms appeared shortly after a dental procedure, recent illness or medication course."

If you haven't ruled out all the causes mentioned above, it might be helpful to check on these. What do you think of the above info?

Carol
http://cantbreathesuspectvcd.com

Carole,
Thanks for your effort and it is good information. Unfortunately, we have ruled out everything in the article. I'm gluten free and take the B12 religiously, regular dentist checkups and he doesn't know why. That's why I posted the article about Burning mouth syndrome. I think mine is caused by the neuropathy I have. I have small fiber sensory neuropathy caused by Sjogren's Syndrome and Rheumatoid Arthritis. I see a good neuro and am going to Mayo in Dec. The Lyrica and Salagen seem to settle it down for a few hours each day. I'm hoping Mayo can find a way to stop or slow the Sjogrens (and burning mouth) when I go.

Thanks for posting.
Billye

and mouthwashes contain triclosan, sodium lauryl sulfate and glycols...and these are irritating to some people.
whether it is the triclosan or the additives... checking out the products you use in your mouth may be a solution.

Hi Mrs. D,
I use nothing but Biotene products for the dry mouth, but I'll sure check to see if these products, (toothpaste, mouthwash and gel) have any of these ingredients in them.
Love,
Billye

Hi Billye,

Great advice from everyone!

OK, another few questions! Do you eat anything that does contain, or may contain, proteins from the following foods?:

corn (even corn syrup, etc. may have some stray residual corn proteins in it),

milk products (casein, whey & other milk proteins are found in cheese, ice cream, milk product substitutes, pizza cheese, cheesecake, etc.)

soy products

yeast-y foods

eggs

etc.

I think that there can be a bad reaction (PN) as an auto-immune response, in people who eat the above proteins, and who are sensitive to any of those proteins.

Also, if you do find anything objectionable in your toothpaste, as Mrs. D. said above, you could try using baking soda (sodium bicarbonate)/NaHCO3, instead of toothpaste. I do this, and it works pretty well (along with unflavored dental floss).

Carol
http://cantbreathesuspectvcd.com

Carol,
I have a pretty limited diet due to the Sjogrens disease I have, and my extremely dry mouth. I looked at the items you listed above and if I cut them out, it will pretty much eliminate most of what I can eat. This mouth burning started about the same time the Sjogrens did. It was the first symptom that my doctor noted that cued him to finally diagnose the Sjogrens. I have to eat gluten free and the mouth problems force me to choose soft foods and sometimes Ensure for a meal.

I checked my toothpaste and it looks o.k. My mouth is too dry and painful for the soda and I need the enzymes from the Biotene toothpaste to protect my teeth. Sjogrens sufferers have major problems with their teeth decaying.

I appreciate your help tho.

Billye