Burnt Mouth Syndrome (Dry Mouth)

[PaulH814]

I have for the past few months suffered from what appears to be Burnt Mouth Syndrome, nothing to see in my mouth such as sores etc and my saliva seems fine. I find this a mild irritation. I showed my tongue to my GP and he said there was nothing that looked sinister. The only medication I take are simvastatins and vitamins, The problem seems to come in during the day, it's not a problem when I wake up nor is it disturbing my sleeping  I am 61 years of age, fit & in the gym early most mornings, Any advice welcome, Thanks, Paul

[jemma116]

Hope you read my private message to you.

Another cause of a dry mouth if you are not dehydrated, is having low levels of vitamin B12.

I presume that you have had diabetes ruled out.  As symptoms of this can be thirst.

When you see your doctor next ask if you can have a blood test to check your B12 levels.

Best wishes.

[paulnh52]

Thanks again Jemma
I'm very grateful
Regards
Paul

[jemma116]

Hi Paul,

I have copied and pasted the link below that goes into detail about good and bad cholesterol and the foods that increase the bad cholesterol and the foods that encourage good cholesterol.  I have found it very informative and I hope you do too.  You doing the exercises is great, but there may be something in your lifestyle that could do with some modifications to get a more healthy cholesterol reading rather than having to take statins.

http://www.bupa.co.uk/individuals/health-information/directory/c/cholesterol

Best wishes.

[paulnh52]

Thanks once again, much appreciated. I will certainly monitor it. I would actually prefer to stop the statins completely. I work out in the gym 4 times a week for the past 12 years & eat a fairly sensible diet. When I originally had a blood test for cholesterol about 18 months aged 59, it was.6.9 (highlight) but not dangerous. I managed to reduce it to 6.8 by eating Benecol etc so the doctor put me on simvastatins and it went down to 4.7 within a fe weeks. So whilst it seems to work, I still get this dry mouth which feels like an allergy which I'm convinced are the statins
Best wishes, Paul

[jemma116]

Keep a note of how you feel and any new symptoms that may be related to side effects to your new statin.

Statins do not suit everyone.  My next door neighbour who is in his 60s had a severe reaction to simvastatin and now refuses to take any statins.  My husband too refuses to take statins.  The bad high cholesterol can be reduced through exercise and consuming the right type of foods and losing weight if this is an issue.  

Hope all goes well for you.
Best wishes.

[paulnh52]

Thanks. I have since spoken to my GP & changed to an alternative stàtin called Atorvastatin

[jemma116]

Have you read the information leaflet that came with your simvastatin with regard to any side effects?

The symptoms that you are experiencing may be due to a side effect from the simvastatin.  Simvastatin does not suit everyone.

Make sure that you drink plenty of fluids.

[scottma]

Seeing an Orofacial pain specialist is advised.