Dry mouth,swollen tongue,Gums pale

[Nancy D]

Back in Sept 2003 I started with a dry mouth not thrist just very dry I was having many sinus infections and was living on antibiotics I had surgery to fix my Deviated septum on left side with the hope the sinus troubles would go away.well since then I still have the dry mouth but now I also have a swollen tongue,swollen pale gums only on my top set of teeth, bottom feels fine I have swelling in the inside of my cheeks and when I smile my cheeks are swollen especially the left side .My top lip is swollen from underneath and I have tiny pus like things when I pull my lip down tight on my teeth My Doctor has been wonderful trying to get to the bottom of this, He has sent me for numerous tests 1) a Indium scan which showed a infection in my face He put me on antibiodics but had no, relief 2) MRI Orbit/Face/neck It showed my Parotid glands are mainly fatty replaced ?? 3)Scan done with lemon drops showed my glands were not working the same on both sides.4)Oral dentist who did'nt know what was wrong. My medical history is in 1999 I had my ovaries removed because of a very strong history of ovarian cancer on my Mothers side( I was 38 yrs old)I went on prempro for almost 4 yrs I stopped July 2002 when they said it could cause cancer.I have acid refux I take aciphex and take Salagen for dry mouth,I also was on anti fungal medicine (did'nt work)I had a blood test for sjogrens(negative) PLEASE HELP ME, I'm desperate. Thank you Nancy

[quietstormOH]

Hello Nancy.I am going through almost the exact same things as you. Also I am having a real hard time eating mainly due to sensitivity of the gums, tongue ,and throat. At the top of my throat is yellowish,orangish and you can see blisters if you look into my throat normally,(with flashlight or without)I have not had all the tests you've had. I was diagnosed with glossitis.Blood tests however showed i was not suffering from folic acid or B12 defiencies.Everyone to this point seems puzzled.I have swelling in my throat and difficulties swallowing and the dryness in my mouth and throat(which i can never seem to get wet),can be very distressing and i wondered if we could try to keep each other updated?I do have a history of acid reflux ,and have difficulties controlling it I found a nexium in the moring and a zantac at night work well together.Looking forward to hearing back from you,maybe we can talk more.

Jennifer in ohio

ps. my tests are ongoing,have appointment with ent,for tests tommorro,,will update.

[nikki802]

I have nasal problems, mainly nasal polyps and i am using a steroid nasal spray at the moment, i also have thick mucus in my throat which i was told was from the polyps i was prescribed tablets for acid reflux, which did not do a thing so i stopped using them, now i have started with a sore tongue tip and it is a bit tingley and i have also noticed over the last week that my gums, top set only are a little swollen and quite pale, i also have been taking asthma inhailers for the last 3 months, i am getting a bit worried now..... help

[Judy007]

Hi Nancy,
  I had this tight throat feeling about 3 months ago. I went to an ENT doctor.  He guessed that I had acid reflux. He prescribed this medicine and I started to have the very dry mouth and headache and constipation. After 18 days, I stopped the aciphex. The conditions returned to normal except the dry mouth. Due to the dry mouth, I started to find pus in my mouth and tongue swollen. I did see family doctor, ENT, and dentist and gum specialist, and check my thyroid. All of them could not find any problem with me.  I am having the same problems that you had. I know the dry mouth was caused by the aciphex. But do you have the tight throat feeling ? Have you found out the real problem and solution?

[borninquisitive]

Best of luck to you. Hope you find a sollution, sooner rather than later.

~Kate

[Nancy D]

These are the tests I have had done, Would any of these diagnosed stones in the salivary glands? 1) MRI ORBIT/FACE/NECK 2)INDIUM LABELED LEUKOCYTE SCAN-Impression Symmetically increased radiotracer uptake in the submandibular glands which can be seen with sialadenitis or sjogrens syndrome.3)SALIVARY GLAND SCINTIGRAPHY-Impression The initial parenchymal radiotracer distribution in the salivary glands is 28% in the right parotid gland.24% in the left parotid gland.28% in the right submandibular gland,and 20% in the left submandibular gland. following lemon juice stimulation,the parenchymal radiotracer distribution in the salivary glands is 33% in the right parotid gland,30% in the left parotid gland,17% in the right submandibular gland, and 20% in the left submandibular gland following lemon juice stimulation, the maximum emptying from the salivary glands is 72% from the right parotid gland,70% from the left parotid gland 21% from the right submandibular gland,and 26% from the left submandibular gland.4) Biopsy-Minor salivary gland upper lip-Impression no, cancer and no,sjogrens. To answer your questions I have had CBC blood work I am not anemic and I have seen two E.N.T's one of them did the lip biopsy. Since I did have my ovaries removed I have been in menopause for almost eight years If it is Hormonal what do I do ? Thanks so much for your help. Nancy

[borninquisitive]

Let me first say, I am an ordinary person who, due to some of my own issues this year, have studied a little on my own.

Considering what you said, if I were you and after these tests, would wonder:

a) Hormonal (what they can't see in imaging)
b) Nutritional (what they can't see in imaging)
c) Neurological (would they know?)

Could it be a combination of things? I know how frustrated you must be. You want to get down to the bottom of this, you want to feel well...and yet, they are not finding anything.

If I were you, I would probably turn to a multi-vit w/mineral, look into the menopause...would HRT bring you any relief?
From what I understand, a reduction in a hormone (I think Estrogen, in this case) can bring on sinus issues & dryness (in all the "wrong" places).
If I could get in a question with any of your doctors, would ask if there could be a neurological connection to your saliva glands, if it might cause dryness? I don't know but it would cross my mind and would ask about it.

Irritation, I could understand...but swelling, just doesn't sound right.

I have had hormonal imbalances this past year (like perimenopause) and was shocked to see how much hormones influences our body!
I have found a WONDERFUL forum for this at power-surge.com

Again, what I would do in the meantime is, get ahold of a digital camera and photograph your oral conditions and upload them to a site such as photobucket.com (free is good;-)
There is a dental health forum here (free) and I know of another dental forum, having a dentist that answers questions for free. Real nice guy. You could also post to Kevin Pho in Family Practice, thought at a fee. There is also a Neurology forum here: doctor-to-patient and patient-to-patient.
I might try the p-to-p first and see if anyone there has heard of a neurological connection.

If you can get in a question with your own doc, I would ask about the 3 questions I listed. Hopefully, someone will hold the key and unlock that seemingly jammed up door.

Best.

[Nancy D]

Thank you for your help, I'll keep you updated Sincerely Nancy

[borninquisitive]

P.S. a enlarged tongue is called, glossitis. I have read that nutritional deficits can cause this.

Too, I have read that hormonal imbalances can cause issues.

You mention pale gums. My thought was anemia. You might pull your lower eyelids down and see if they too are pale.

A few more things to consider, anyway.

Have you had a CBC blood test?

[borninquisitive]

Nancy,

I would take all of your information to an ENT.

Was there any mention of possible stone obstruction in your saliva glands? I am wondering if this may be the cause of the dry mouth.

Also, if you can get ahold of a camera, take photos (and upload them free at photobucket.com)...there is a family forum here (there is a charge but not much, I don't think)...which may tide you over until you get an ENT consultation.

Best.