Hello Friends, To introduce myself, I am a 73 year-old woman, married, retired. I have had burning mouth, mostly tongue, symptoms for about 4 months. I studied this on the Internet and knew from that what it was. My ear, nose, and throat doctor, on my second visit, diagnosed it as burning mouth syndrome. I lost some weight because most food doesn't taste good and chewing seems to irritate my tongue.
I feel for all of you who are suffering. I appreciate hearing about the steps you have taken, and I have benefited from your input and other suggestions on the Internet. I will try to share with you some of my strategies for dealing with this debilitating condition.
About 3 weeks ago I began a liquid diet. I use a blender and include cooked meat and cooked vegetable pieces and bread. I use a smoothie straw, placed in the corners of my mouth, between my gums and tongue, far back. This is in order to bypass my tongue as much as possible because food doesn't taste good and chewing seems to irritate my tongue, and the straw use limits the excess use of my tongue. I usually use the same food for every meal.
Food I put in the blender, if you care to read on: Meat pieces--so far it's been mainly boneless, skinless chicken breasts boiled in water. I cook several pieces at a time, in a 6 quart pot, and put it in individual packages in the freezer part of the refrigerator for later thawing and use. I save the broth and sometimes use it for part of the liquid in the blender. Chop chicken or cut in small pieces, about 1/4". Frozen peas: I cook a large package in the microwave in a glass container and use from that. (I received for my birthday a many-piece set of Pyrex glass containers with lids.) Cooked fresh asparagus pieces. Canned French-style green beans. I hope to look for the unsalted the next time I shop. Sweet potatoes, boiled in water with skin on during cooking. I like to cook 3 large ones at a time. I later discard the skin when using the sweet potatoes. Bread--I found it easier to cut the bread into cubes soon after removal from the freezer. Before blending I add water or liquid--at least enough to cover the food. I tried cooked broccoli, but I didn't like the bitter taste it caused. In blending I add water or liquid--at least enough to cover the food. For fat in my diet, I swallow or drink 2 teaspoons of Almond Oil daily, about 1/2 teaspoon at a time, spaced during the day. I found it to to have a more pleasant taste than other oils. It is available in the grocery store.
I had a blood test recently and my B-12 and iron were good. The ENT doctor recommended B complex supplement, which I already had been taking. Also my family doctor recommended a multi-vitamin and mineral supplement. I also take some other medicines and supplements, which I list on my doctor visits. I use Crest Tartar Protection toothpaste. Sometimes, instead of brushing after the meal, I use it more like a mouthwash--putting it on my teeth and then squishing around in my mouth. I have found that it is not as minty as other Crest toothpastes. It is a little biting, but tolerable, and it makes my mouth feel somewhat refreshed after a meal.