Can anxiety cause mouth symptoms?

[nygrl]

Over the last few months I've been suffering from major anxiety. I've been convinced that I have ALS. It started with some weird hand weakness. I'm waiting for the results of some blood tests and Xrays...my Dr. thinks it could be rheumatoid arthiritis. Anyway, I have had all kinds of weird symptoms..muscle spasms and cramps in legs, weakness, you name it. These have decreased recently.Over the last few months I've been extremely fatigued, like I can barely get out of bed. My newest scare is that I feel like my tongue is swollen and I'm salivating a lot more than usual. I don't feel like I'm clenching my teeth or anything but it feels difficult to speak clearly and my jaw and behind my ears really hurts. My husband says he doesn't hear anything different when I talk...he's probably just sick of hearing me complain of my latest ailments. I don't know if this is just anxiety or if it's really something I need to be concerned about.  Has anyone else had a problem like this? I'm so sick of feeling this way and worrying obsessively about my health. Has anyone else had problems like this with their  mouth or should I head back to the Dr?

[ANkit2605]

Hi,

I have had the same problem since more than a month. Iam good with liquids but when it comes to eating solids it feels that every muscle in face and throat has numbed and iam going to choke. I tried a thing which you can also givve a shot. Try someone close to you sit with you when you eat. Maybe that vould help

[Faytin]

How did it end this swollen tongue and dry mouth.? It's exactly what I have had for 3 weeks now....

[379393]

Iv been feeling this starting for a week already ???

[Najer]

I'm sure I have health anxiety, I constantly have the feeling of dread and always paranoid about having a serious illness , I can't even watch a full tv advert about illnesses because I'm paranoid it's a "sign" that I have it. Also always google symptoms which is probably the worst thing to do!! Always look for reassurance from people too it's affected me in such a negative way it's all I think about!! But I have been having a dry tongue and also paleness of the tongue and constant feeling of swelling under one side, after looking up symptoms online I have been constantly searching for lumps, I got my dentist to check my mouth and he said I seem very healthy but I just feel like I can't trust it, I know deep down that it's caused by anxiety but there's always the feeling of dread and horrible scenarios that trigger off in my mind, does anyone have advice on how to overcome it? I can't put up with it anymore.

[johnny178]

Ok here's my story, I'm currently in Kenya for the past 9 months and around 2 1/2 months ago I had oral sex with a prostitute, because this idiot who I met was also from the UK so he said obviously use protection he reassured me by saying he came here and went there (***** house) every year for a holiday since I was 15. I just don't know what hit me I was high that day I thought why not I went there all I wanted was oral sex with a condom I made sure it was secure my only worry was that I had shaved either that day or couple before and I had a little cut on my finger the problem is that I'm not certain if her fluids came into contact with my broken skin, ever since then I was panicking I told my uncle he was the only one who is native to this country he took me to a clinic three days after the I was really stressed out but the test came out negative I was overjoyed I couldn't believe it I  was like I'm never doing that again then like 9 weeks after I caught the flu I was really anxious I was thinking to myself I'm certain that's a symptom of the deadly HIV virus I kept on thinking to myself mentally imagining what would happen suicide the list goes on but what made it worse was that after I caught that flu I thought it was because I quit smoking I realised the last time I quit I experience some sort of anxiety related problems and then after 18th day of quitting smoking my mother fainted I thought it was a ,major problem with her I couldn't take it I went back to smoking before then like a week after I noticed that my eyes dilated I couldn't see properly it was like I was in a constant state of dizziness light really affected me my mouth is so dry so I started researching the symptoms of nicotine withdrawal bang it made sense so once I went back to smoking those same symptoms stayed with me so i went more crazier i started noticing my skin      to check signs of lymph nodes it never leaves my mind thankfully never major as happen so far God Forbid anything does im almost approaching the 3rd month since that incident im really anxious but this past week ive been going out i noticed my skin itching has gone away but my eyes are still dilated and my mouth is still dilated i really want to go to doctors and get myself checked out but its 50/50 chance imagine living with this disease the stigma I cant get married have children I'm only 20 at my prime I'm strong believer in faith and committing suicide is not the way as far as I'm concerned my faith teaches you'll get punished in hell forever and in the current state I'm in I'm really paranoid another thing is that I caught the flu again and I believe its flu season now but I believed I have generalised anxiety disorder so I researched it and it can weaken your immune system but I'm still not certain I know what I done was low risk of getting the disease but I was really immature, cant I die of something else not like this not right now not so young I really need to see a councillor/ pyscologist the biggest problem is that I am not in the UK right now and I need to go there you trust a medic down here but my parents want me to stay I want to go back but they want a good enough reason if you don't have money down here your a nobody I have to keep everything low key and this stress is really unbearable maybe I could be a hypochondriac but this dry mouth and dilated eyes are really scaring me I just keep on thinking which symptoms could come like I just really want my life back you don't know what you have until you loose it sorry for this long comments please give me help or advise Peace People sorry for my grammar my concentration levels are too low.

[rower1]

I've had several mouth symptoms for about 3 months running. I feel like I have something stuck under my tongue. I've seen my gp twice, an ent once and my dentist and no one can see anything. Now the tip of my tongue is swollen and burning. It's making me very anxious and worried. I'm mostly fine in the morning and it progresses during the day. I have anxiety issues and this is not helping. I keep thinking that after I see a doctor and they tell me I'm ok it will go away and it normally takes away my anxiety but it's not.  I don't even know where to turn now and it's driving me crazy.

[diana112985]

Hey punks, i have the exact same symptoms, i feel as if i dont remember how to chew, my tounge isnt there, and sometimesi feel as if im ina dream and my body isnt really mine...it never seems to go away and sometimes i wonder as to wether ir not ihave ms as well, but my family and doctors or convinced that i am fine and that nothing is wrong with my because all of my blood work has come back fine its good to know that im not the only one who feels like this, and it is also on a daily basis, sometimes i feel like i cant talk or even think, or move my hands and feet or swallow.....i feel as if im loosing weight because of it as well, i have even went to measures to make sure in case something crazzie happens to make a living will....i know i sound retarted but its a daily struggle that makes me think that im going to die....and no one seems to uinderstand

[diana112985]

Hey punks, i have the exact same symptoms, i feel as if i dont remember how to chew, my tounge isnt there, and sometimesi feel as if im ina dream and my body isnt really mine...it never seems to go away and sometimes i wonder as to wether ir not ihave ms as well, but my family and doctors or convinced that i am fine and that nothing is wrong with my because all of my blood work has come back fine its good to know that im not the only one who feels like this, and it is also on a daily basis, sometimes i feel like i cant talk or even think, or move my hands and feet or swallow.....i feel as if im loosing weight because of it as well, i have even went to measures to make sure in case something crazzie happens to make a living will....i know i sound retarted but its a daily struggle that makes me think that im going to die....and no one seems to uinderstand

[Jen1284]

I too have been having a mouth problem I feel my tongue is swollen my teeth hurt I feel my mouth isn'twith me I have dry mouth and I'm always biting down to make sure my teeth are there I've been dealing with panic an anxiety on top of depression but my biggest fear is my mouth any suggestion

[kristinabenson]

I too have anxiety and panic attacks. Have went to doctor and they taught me how to control them to a point when they start. Just recently I had major stress in my life. One thing after another. I tried keeping myself from having attacks. One day my speach was as if my tongue was swallon and I talked with my teeth clenching. No control over it. This happend to me before when I had to take paxil. Got myself of of that. Withdrawls from that medication was the worst. Tappered off when I found out I was prego. Good thing I did. Hear bad stuff now about it. This time I am not on any medication and my speech thing happend again. Muscle relaxers don't even help. Lasted for about 2 weeks and then one morning I woke up and it was gone. Had headaches and my gum was so sore in one spot. All from anxiety. I have to deal with panic and anxiety for my life. But getting taught how to control them is the key. Life is stress and always will be. Can't change that. I live in Juneau, Alaska. Lol.

[angrydook]

Yep, Kimlouise thats exactly it! Many mouth symptoms associated with Anxiety come from the sideeffects of the anxiety medication. Drymouth is very common. Also any soreness, sores, aches, bleeding could be associated with night time teeth grinding and clenching, also caused by excessive anxiety. I would look into a night time mouth guard to see if that helps. It helped me.

[kimlouise]

for years I have had a very sore tongue yes I was told it was a geographical
and should not hurt but it has and yesterday finally after many dollars later and a visit to a specialist  dentist that looks many different issues he tells me I have dry mouth syndrome and it now makes sense yes stress stress and more stress many of the comments in here says it all  gosh i now know why and hopefully its going to go away or be managed at last than you every one here too so I know its not in my head  or mouth as it real.

[toplate]

nice to know that others feel the stress goes to your mouth and tongue. I am 39 years old and have been dealing with this problem since I was 17 years old. When I got in a classroom I would not like to be there, I froze up! could not focus other than my tongue and swallowning would be on my mind constanly. It stopped when I went to college, then I graduated. Got a job in engineering. Three years later I started having panic attacks. People I worked with thought I was crazy, moving aroung circles for no reason, very embarrsing. After 10 years of being tied to a computer drawing I decided no quit and go back to a long love of building homes. guess what, the anxiety still followed me. Since I was on my own and could do whatever I want, I still had to do to support my family. More stress! Well being self employed I devolped bad habits. I drink alot of beer and use smokeless tobaco. Guess again, more stress because I felt guilty. I think the less you feel guilty about yourself the more you feel happy. Yes I still drink beer and chew, but if you keep it moderate you'll feel better when I start my day. We are special people: we don't need coffee, drugs, etc. like others. It's better to be alert rather than be dopy and need things other's to feel like we do. I/We do the slow down because we had enough of being fast all day. Please don't start drinking or takings meds because we are our on boss. Feel good about your goals each day that you did. I found out what works for me that I don't need to drink or chew/smoke heavy, just keep things simple and life will be simple.  

[Crazy03]

Have u ever heard if anxiety can cause burning mouh and throat have had all the tests done for acid reflux all negative blood work normal all test normal so I'm wonding if anxiety can cause this mu doctor is telling me it is but I have a hard time believing her eas help

[Crazy03]

So u guys have had burning mout I have had it for months had all test for acid reflux all negative!! Tryed meds nohing! So I'm asking if anxiety can cause burning mouth and throat?? I got worse being on the meds for reflux any help would be great cause I feel like I'm losing it! Also have the feeling of something stuck In throat. Have had that on and off for years:( please help me cause i feel like doctors are missing something  thanks

[Crazy03]

So u guys have had burning mout I have had it for months had all test for acid reflux all negative!! Tryed meds nohing! So I'm asking if anxiety can cause burning mouth and throat?? I got worse being on the meds for reflux any help would be great cause I feel like I'm losing it! Also have the feeling of something stuck In throat. Have had that on and off for years:( please help me cause i feel like doctors are missing something  thanks

[Punks]

I also have all of those symptoms.  Can only swallow liquids....cannot feel my mouth, face,  tongue, teeth....what have you.  I also thought I had ALS....my mother died from that in the early 70's.  Have seen an ENT, had an EMG, and have also seen a nuerologist.  Everything came back ok....but I have lost so much weight.  So, the ENT wanted my regular doc to put in a feeding tube.  I refused.....just drinking Ensure, broth, V8 Fusion.  I have no clue as to what this is, but nobody can undrestand me either.  I feel like a moron.............................but not sure what to do.....HELP..................

[LooksCanBeDecieving]

I lived with anxiety/ocd/panic attacks...for 4 years its a struggle and even though i've learned not to frreak out I've also learned how to hold it in,which is probly not ever better...I totally have DRY MOUTH right now and I am convinced I also have HIV even tho I have not had sex for six months after my test for hiv/aids was neg. Im just too scared and recently my anxiety was at a 10 i almost lost it in wal mart...after that I got weird tremors in my face,i couldnt sleep ,i had weird thoughts and dreams and my heart felt like it was stopping,now I have dry mouth under my tongue and I get likin and drinking water,and brushing my teeth and the more I think about it the more it gets dry!...I know in my past with different anxiety symptoms mimicing deadly disease that it may not be all in my head but it is a symptom it is happening and it will go away as soon as I relax and quit thinking about it...I can go on and on about what i did what I ate everything but i know i just need to relax and if it continues to be bothersome head to the doctors where they will help me!...

[sierrasong]

I have had some kind of sores in the mouth also for the past 6 months or so.  The dentist has checked and check and can find nothing wrong.  It is ok in the morning (as another poster mentioned) and gets progressively worse throughout the day.  It is lessened by Xanax for some odd reason.  I'm soooooo frustrated...

[reggiemcfly]

Hey, I totally get where your coming from.  I'm only a teen but I recently started having panic attacks. It started over the summer after I nearly choked to death and now at random moments when Ieast expect it my throat will  close up and I won't be able to breathe and then my mouth will go dry and I can't swallow either.  It's the worst feeling in the world because all you can think in that instant is oh my god I'm going to die, but it ends and then I'm shaking and cold, but it's not the end.  I'm always the one who ends up with the problems in the family.  I exercise and eat the best of everyone in my family yet I'm the one with the knee inflamtory problems, and other cronic problems that my doctors don't even get why I have, but the thing is you have to learn - and I'm still working on this part - that you can't let it get to you.  A lot of it's genetics and such my dad has a lot of the same problems as me which is probably where I get my problems (the power of genetics)  actually most of our problems are pretty much identical the thing is, is that you can't let it hold you back or dwell on it.  My mom says it's a mind over matter thing, if you let it control you life it will and if you stand up and take control of your life and not worry about it, it will all turn out okay.  Sometimes you've just gotta roll with the punchs.  I'm saying it's easy, it's hard especailly when your scared, but if you ask for help you can get it and just trying to help yourself makes it better, half of the fear is what causes it to be bad in the first place so it actually just amplifies the problem.  I know I really young like 15 young but I'm right I know I'm right and if your problems anything like mine I suggest that what you do is something that completely takes your mind off of your problem, like for me I like to read and i like writing poetry especailly because it allows you to convey your feelings and by the time I've finished reading or writing of even making a scuplture (love art!) I feel so much better, I need something to really immerse yourself into, loose yourself in, I swear it's the best therapy there is.  Also good things to do are not drink caffine at all.  I just learned this rule but when you have any kind of anxiety caffine makes in a hundred times worse and I know because I drink coffee 24/7 litterally.  I found out though that with panic attacks that's like feeding the fire.  So no caffine.  Also breathing exercises and and excercising in general is good even if it's only taking a walk or doing a few sit ups and the reason is that it gives you endorfans which naturally make people happy and feel better it's good for you and endorfans help releave anxiety.  While breathing exercises help relax your body and maintain a steady heart beat with tends to go haywire when were anxious.  Also stretch while doing your breathing exercises it releaves tension build up in the muscles of your body which believe it or not can also releave mental stress.  Then finally my secret weapon HALLS! whenever I have my stupid panic attacks my mouth gets really dry and sticky and I can't swallow, it's because when your really anxious your fluids go to other parts of the body to remain controled try to calm you down.  So, suching on halls or any hard candies help return the fluids to your mouth better than water as I've discovered.  I perfer halls to hard candies mainly because the menthol helps open up my airways after a panic attack which usually isn't easy for me.  Also if your anxiety ever causes you to shake bundle up, it helps to be warm it calming.  And remember effects of an attack can last from 10-20 minutes to over 24 hours depending on how bad and how scared you were if your attacks often last around or over a 1 or 2 hour period or progessively get worse you should see a doctor because you may have a disorder or if it's happening to you because of a tamatic event like mine was for me then you should consider seeing a phscologist.
Finally plenty of rest and do things that make you happy because it really does help and remember when in doubt laughter IS the best medicine.  Also you've just got to learn to roll with the punches and go with the flow if you learn to deal with it and except that this is just a part of your life then it'll get easier and could eventually be overcome.  I hope some of my advice helped.  And don't worry about the constant complaining I do it to my mom to and it's normal, we're human we need someone to be there and tell us that's it's okay even if we already know or just as a reasurance so that we can believe that and not go to the worst case scenario.  It's like a safety blanket, it protects us.  I hope some of my advice helped and good luck to you.

[chicks77]

It is so good to know that other people have had similar experiences, the WORST that you can do is to sart searching the net for what the symptoms might mean.When I did, I came across MS and I have been convinced that I have MS ever since. It all started with a bladder problem about two months ago which led to a panic attack about two weeks ago. My hand went numb and ice cold. I ended up in the ER! They took my blood, did a ECG, everything was PERFECT. I was even examined by a neurologist whose fingers I nearly 'broke' .I have an MRI exam tomorrow which will hopefully finally convince me that it is all in my head and continue with my life as before... I have been having a lot of work as well as personal related stress. I think once I hear from the doctor that all is ok I will feel world of a difference.... I WANT to feel good again and I know I will, I keep telling myself this is a phase and it will pass...

[obsessed1]

I have suffered from anxiety for the past 2 1/2 months.  I could not eat, could not sleep, felt nauseaus all the time, had stomach problems and was losing weight.  My mouth was dry all the time and I could not taste food.  

I was convinced that I had contracted HIV years ago and it just wasn't showing up on the test.  I could not get this out of my mind despite the 6 tests I have had over the past 10 years.  I have been married to my husband for 3 years and we have been together for 5.  I went from doctor appointment to doctor appointment convinced that I had a deadly disease and my days were numbered.

I am currently on Paxil and am getting off of it.  I still have 3 1/2 weeks to go to taper off of it, but I have never felt better than I have in the past week.  I actually laugh again and am eating like a pig.  The mouth dryness went away and I can actually taste food again.  AND I AM SLEEPING.  ACTUALLY SLEEPING!!!!!!!!!!!!

Believe me when I say that ANXIETY can do ANYTHING TO YOU!!!!!!!!  I actually laugh now which I haven't done in a long time and it feels great!!!!!  Hang in there and just know that once you let go of the evils that make you feel anxious, you will feel a world of difference!!!!

  

[AnxietyDrivingMeCrazy]

I too have anxiety and feel my mouth/tongue is sore all the time. Burning Mouth Syndrome is what I found I may have. Almost absent in the morning, it progresses as the day goes on. I have been dealing with it for almost 4 months. Sometimes it's my tongue, other times the inside of my mouth. Two different doctors didn't see anything abnormal to the eye. Funny thing is that when I was away from everything on vacation it went away and came back a few days after I returned to my regular life. My anxiety is driven by hypochondria in regard to HIV although I would be considered at low risk (heterosexual male and selects partners) and had a negative test almost 5 months after my last sexual encounter (protected intercourse and unprotected oral).

[Pum]

I also had this feeling (too much saliva) a few years ago in the middle of an anxiety phase.  It was associated with swallowing a lot and swallowing a lot of air.  In the end I reckon it was an indegestion type thing caused by stress.  When I stopped thinking about it, it went away.

Good luck.

[Mamma1972]

Anxiety can do a ton of "weird" things to us.  The most important thing, however, is to never ever self-diagnose.  While all the things you are experiencing could very well be attributed to anxiety, it's best to get that sort of confirmation from a doctor.  You're doing the right thing by getting diagnosting testing done.  Try to relax (easier said than done!) because anxiety only makes the symptoms worse (vicious vicious cycle!).

Bless you...and be well.

P.S.  It's odd, I used to get the swollen tongue thing when I was experiencing panic attacks.  However, instead of salivating too much, I'd get a totally dry mouth...couldn't produce any saliva at all.  See how different anxiety can be for us?