Metal and gritty feeling in the mouth/tongue

Posted by Kdawn @kdawn32, Sep 25, 2017

About 3 weeks in I talked to my Advanced certified nurse practitioner about my mouth having a weird sensation as if I had bitten down hard on spoon (I had not). It happened several times a day. Overall this went on for 9 weeks and include my jaws aching. On week three I saw the nurse who's response was UGHH stop talking about that. Helpful, not. It did stop but now I have a gritty feel all over my mouth, jaw, tongue, and the aching is still there (grittyness 24/7, aching periodically through the day). Anyone have an idea on how to better explain myself or how to get the doctors/nurse to realize this is not fun? I have an appointment to see a new doctor, but could not get in for almost another month. I also have a regular scheduled dental appointment this week. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks.~K

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Hello @kdawn32.

I'm sorry you are experiencing such symptoms and I'm sorry you had such response from the nurse- that's not acceptable or desireable health care.

How did your dental appointment go? Were you given any help or new suggestions? I'm not a medical professional by any means and can not advise you or give medical advice. I really hope that your new physician can figure this out.

While we wait for other members with relevance to join this conversation can you tell me a little more about your symptoms? Did the NP you initially consulted with give you any diagnosis or thoughts as to what this could possibly be?

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Thanks Jamie. I just came from my dentist who was pretty helpful. I need to do some research now. He suggested several things to check and follow with my new doctor. Possibly dry mouth or burning mouth syndrome. Vitamin B deficiency (need to go read what Mayo's website says), diabetes, hormonal changes (right for my age), or even psychiatric issues. My hygienist also suggested that I might have a couple of issues that started around the same time, clenching teeth and possibly inner ear. Those also make sense with my history. It is so nice to have someone treat you like your issues is real and not an annoyance to them. So I'll try to describe my symptoms as best I can. Initially (on and off for 9 weeks) The taste and feeling of biting down on metal like a spoon or fork. That included aching deep in my lower and upper jaws, occasional itchy gums. pressure from the bridge of my nose to my chin. At 9 weeks the taste of metal stopped and was replaced with buzzing sensation and a gritty feeling all over my mouth except for my tongue which seems to be fine.

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I was finally able to get a new doctor (yeah). She feels confident it is related to sinus issues. She said they are very inflamed. Nose sprays and sinus rinses (neilmed bottle) twice a day is helping. I still have the buzzing and slight tingling, but the jaw ache and itchy gums is gone. No more metal taste.

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I have Burning mouth syndrome had it for 15 years -- given up on it ever going -- going to pain clinic- they have given me Gabapenton+ Paxam+ cipramil
Have had bowel cancer twice-- 20 years apart ( having regular colonoscopies-- for years!) also chemo- not connected so the Drs say. started 7years after the first diagnoses --Relate to grit and metallic- do you have thick mucus? I am 77 year old woman now so just leave my head to science! not kidding.

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Thank you for the info. Sorry to hear about your struggles. That is no fun. This who thing with me prompted me to get a new doctor. The new doc thought it was a sinus issue and suggested I add a nasal spray to me daily routine of sinus rinsing. In fact she said I should do both at least 2 times a day, After about a week of doing that the metallic taste finally stopped. I still have some other issues in the am when I first wake up that dissipate after I do the rinse and spray. I've had sinus issues for years but these were new symptoms. It is so nice to have a doctor that will actually work with you rather than just blow you off. Thanks @clissold for donating yourself to science I hope that the medial folks learn from you.

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@kdawn32

Thank you for the info. Sorry to hear about your struggles. That is no fun. This who thing with me prompted me to get a new doctor. The new doc thought it was a sinus issue and suggested I add a nasal spray to me daily routine of sinus rinsing. In fact she said I should do both at least 2 times a day, After about a week of doing that the metallic taste finally stopped. I still have some other issues in the am when I first wake up that dissipate after I do the rinse and spray. I've had sinus issues for years but these were new symptoms. It is so nice to have a doctor that will actually work with you rather than just blow you off. Thanks @clissold for donating yourself to science I hope that the medial folks learn from you.

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I do hope it is sinus-- and new Dr gets on top of it.-I went to pain clinic yesterday, my Dr there has changed my medication to Lyrica, we had a full and frank consultation and he well knew the state I am in.He has told me ( as he has done before ) they do not know how to treat it as they do not know what it is, I do respect this DR and I know he is REALLY trying-- still donating body to science,hope it helps my children and grandchildren. Thank you for connecting, It helps @clissold

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@kdawn32

Thank you for the info. Sorry to hear about your struggles. That is no fun. This who thing with me prompted me to get a new doctor. The new doc thought it was a sinus issue and suggested I add a nasal spray to me daily routine of sinus rinsing. In fact she said I should do both at least 2 times a day, After about a week of doing that the metallic taste finally stopped. I still have some other issues in the am when I first wake up that dissipate after I do the rinse and spray. I've had sinus issues for years but these were new symptoms. It is so nice to have a doctor that will actually work with you rather than just blow you off. Thanks @clissold for donating yourself to science I hope that the medial folks learn from you.

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I had a follow up with the Dr. Yes it is sinus issues. So glad it wasn't something worse. Tasting metal is never good. It still has not completely gone away so my new Doc is referring me to a Ear, Nose, and Throat clinic. @clissold I hope the Lyrica gave you some relief. Hopefully your pain is down to something tolerable.

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@clissold

I do hope it is sinus-- and new Dr gets on top of it.-I went to pain clinic yesterday, my Dr there has changed my medication to Lyrica, we had a full and frank consultation and he well knew the state I am in.He has told me ( as he has done before ) they do not know how to treat it as they do not know what it is, I do respect this DR and I know he is REALLY trying-- still donating body to science,hope it helps my children and grandchildren. Thank you for connecting, It helps @clissold

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Hi I am experiencing similar symptoms going on 3 months now. I am extremely miserable and it has taken over my daily life. I have been to regular dentist, all clear, periodontist, all clear, doctors, all clear of Lupus, diabetes, etc. now being referred to Oral surgeon/facial pain specialist. What is your outcome? I’m desperate. Thanks

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@heatchad

Hi I am experiencing similar symptoms going on 3 months now. I am extremely miserable and it has taken over my daily life. I have been to regular dentist, all clear, periodontist, all clear, doctors, all clear of Lupus, diabetes, etc. now being referred to Oral surgeon/facial pain specialist. What is your outcome? I’m desperate. Thanks

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Welcome @heatchad. It's encouraging to hear that you've been referred to a facial pain specialist. I'm going to bring @loribmt into this discussion to see if she has any suggestions or experience.

I might suggest as you wait for your appointment with the specialist that you start a journal or taking notes about your symptoms. When did it start? What time of day are the symptoms worse? Are there triggers that make the symptoms worse, i.e., food, activities, stress?

This may help you and the specialist to identify patterns that could help with the diagnosis.

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@colleenyoung

Welcome @heatchad. It's encouraging to hear that you've been referred to a facial pain specialist. I'm going to bring @loribmt into this discussion to see if she has any suggestions or experience.

I might suggest as you wait for your appointment with the specialist that you start a journal or taking notes about your symptoms. When did it start? What time of day are the symptoms worse? Are there triggers that make the symptoms worse, i.e., food, activities, stress?

This may help you and the specialist to identify patterns that could help with the diagnosis.

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I’m having a ct done and consult with oral facial pain surgeon tomorrow and also think I’m going through menopause and have appointment on Thursday to get my levels checked. I too have read a great deal about vitamin b deficiency and think that could play a part as well. I hardly eat and have lost 19 lbs since gum graft surgery.

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