Burning Tongue Issues?

Oh my, yes to part of your question. I was diagnosed with post Covid syndrome due to smell and taste disorders. In particular a constant bitter taste. Not so much a burning tongue, but burning in back of throat a few times, that I mistook for reflux.

Mine started with a strong metallic taste that settled into bitter taste that is subdued on some days, but not others. I have been doing scent retraining for smell disorder that I am told is mainly the cause of taste problems.

I have read about burning mouth syndrome, since it is compared to what I have. It’s a big mystery to the medical community based on what I have read,, often reported by women and usually treated with anxiety meds. What is your experience with it?

I have tried dozens of remedies and the best temporary relief I get is applying no flavor, Biotin mouth moisturizer gel to my tongue. It helps for a little while. I’m planning to start anxiety medication soon, as well as hypnosis.

Hi Celia,

My experience is somewhat similar to yours in that while I’m slowly improving from Covid (tested positive on Dec. 4th) I had smell and taste issues too. My smell is vastly improved but the last couple weeks I’ve had this bizarre symptom of a feeling like I burned my tongue but it’s constant now, along with this bitter taste after any food I eat. It’s like it’s trying to repair itself but it doesn’t know how.

I’ve been using everything from smell retraining, cough drops, chlorhexidine mouthwash, Nystatin oral suspension rinse, drinking warm chamomile tea, saltwater rinses, vitamins you name it.

I’ve seen my dentist about it and he’s clueless because he says “it looks fine.”

Well, obviously it isn’t fine or I wouldn’t be here.

I saw my pcp and all she did was bloodwork which was within normal limits. I had to stronger her to do an oral swab (which they called and said didn’t show signs of any irregular bacterial overgrowth.)

So back to square one.

I’m going to schedule an appointment with an oral surgeon to see if he can do any further investigation and possibly a tongue scraping to check for thrush.

I’ve also made an appointment for a local Covid long hauler clinic here in Chicago but I can’t get in until February because of course. 😑

I’ve also been reading any peer reviewed journal articles I can get my hands on that mention Covid tongue and I did come across some infectious disease specialists that have been trying different approaches such as photobiomodulation therapy and stem cell therapy treatments (a current trial is going on at UC Davis.)

I’ve also joined a Covid long hauler Facebook group to connect with others who are going through similar issues in the hopes that maybe we can help each other figure things out since we’re kind of left on our own it seems.

Wow, you’re doing a lot and I can relate. Most people don’t realize just how stressful and draining this constant disorder can be. Mine has lasted since September 11, 2023! I hope yours doesn’t last that long. I have prepared myself for the possibility mine may be permanent. At least I still am able to smell most things, or I think I can. I did terrible on the smell test. And, I can still taste some food. Some PCS patients have no smell or taste. They are really suffering.

I can’t imagine constant burning in my mouth. I hope you find a solution.

I have read about getting injections in the neck for taste disorders. Also, stimulating the vagus nerve.

I never dreamed I would encounter something so bizarre. I fantasize being free from this. At times, I feel like I’m being tortured, as I also have tingly hands and feet, phlegm in throat and hair loss from PCS.

Please post your progress and discoveries. I’ll pray for your recovery. This must be so hard on you. Are you able to work?

A friend of mine has told me post COVID he can no longer eat the spicy foods he loved. Rather than not being able to taste, COVID changed the way he tasted some things and he now stays away from certain foods because of the change.

I’m so sorry you’re suffering. I to have lost my taste and smell due to Covid. I haven’t tasted or smelled anything in over a year, December 14, 2022 to be exact! I am currently having acupuncture to help get it back, so far nothing. I live in the western suburbs of Chicago and was wondering where this Long Hauler Clinic is located as I’d like to make an appointment myself. I have an upcoming appointment in January to see a new ENT and am really praying I get some answers and some relief. Again, I’d really like the name of the Long Haulers Clinic. Thank you!

I lost my taste and smell December 14, 2022 and still no taste or smell. Currently having acupuncture but have heard of the Stellate Ganglion Block. I will be looking more into that if this acupuncture doesn’t work and the new ENT I’ll be seeing next month can’t help me. My HOPE is dwindling.

What has your ENT said about it? I have an appointment to return to my ENT soon, but I don’t know what he’s going to do. He said PCS is difficult to treat. He did suggest I take zinc supplements and I have. I haven’t seen any difference.

I saw the neurologist, who had nothing to offer. He checked my hands and feet tingling and said I didn’t have neuropathy. So, idk. Hypnosis is my last hope, unless anxiety meds help.

This is not intended to be medical advice for your situation. I am a dentist and also a person who has had numerous medical issues including radiation induced neuropathy. . Taste and smell are all part of the olfactory nerve system. Although they are not sure how Covid affects this system, it would seem to be that the sooner one tries to mitigate the symptoms the better. Like a neuropathy. If it were me I would have asked to be placed on a low dose of Neurontin and Motrin. Neruontin seems to help surface/diabetice vs deep) neuropathy and pain. Retraining smell is smoke and mirrors to me. The sensory nerves got damaged due to the virus. The nerves need to be calmed down and hopefully regenerate or form secondary nerves. Don't give up hope. For the pain in the back of the tongue, it may be a good sign that something is still active. Most mouth washes have a lot of additives like citric acid or preservatives. Simple food grade glycerin rinse, coconut oil or slipper elm lozenges may help. Water down simple no dye Listerine to keep it clean. On the side, I have given patients an oral rinse of Dexamethasone no dyes( the doctor needs to look it up but it does exist) It does wonders for autoimmune oral burning due to Lichen Planus. You rinse, hold it in the back and you can swallow a small amount . Come to think of it , I might add a small dose of low dose of oral prednisone for a month or two. LOW dose ( not a med pack), 5 mg not more/day. This is what I would be asking for if it were me.
I hope this helps.

Great tips. Thanks! I did go on 2 weeks of Gabapentin 100 ml nightly, but had to stop due to vision issues. Eye discomfort and blurry vision. I got a prescription for Lyrica instead, but insurance is requiring override. But, I will revisit that ASAP. Maybe, my ENT or primary will help me with that. During the 2 weeks I was taking the Gabapentin. I still had symptoms, but it was maybe a tad better.

I will explore the rinses. I let most of the mouth rinses go that I bought due to citric acid.

So, I’m now wondering if hypnosis is a prudent investment. I will continue with attempts at scent retraining. The constant bitter taste is what is so distressing.

I have never lost my taste or smell. Sometimes that is not a blessing. Sometimes food smells are horrific. Chicken salad smells like skunk to me. Other things smell like what I can only describe as a combination of everything that smells bad at once. I have horrible acid reflux, my tongue does burn at times. I am not sure if that is related to the acid reflux or not. I used to love to eat and was a healthy eater. Eating now is a very difficult as I have no idea what I will be able to tolerate smelling and eating from day to day. It has been over 3 years and there are still foods that I have not even bothered trying to eat again. I loved Mexican food and Thai food. I can only eat them if they are not spicy. Sadly Long COVID is like torture. My body aches most of the time. Sometimes it is so bad I just lay around and my GI issues are awful. The pain and GI issues are due to LC attacking my autonomic nervous system and I have POTS.

On the positive side, it has been over 3 years and I am learning to be a half full vs half empty person. I have new hobbies that can be put down and picked up whenever I feel like doing them. They make me happy. I no longer compare where I am now, unless posting on here, to where I was pre LC. My bar for a good day is really low now and starts with the fact I woke up. Then if I can make and drink coffee I am thrilled. If I can eat one meal a day and it tastes okay that is good, if it tastes and smells good then that is very exciting. Luckily I can work from home so that makes me feel like I am leading a productive life but I can no longer work the hours I used to.
I hope you can find some relief. Regardless of what symptoms we each have this has been such a life changer. I wish everyone the best test results, help from physicians, any small or big thing that brings joy to your life in the coming year.