Patchy numb/dryness redness in mouth for 3 months

[carl1977]

Can anyone help with these strange oral symptoms?
3 months ago, I began experiencing a strange feeling behind both upper sets of molars that I can only describe as a numb and chapped like sensation....sort of like how it feels if you have sucked on a lemon. Over the course of about a week it spread down the insides of my cheeks on both sides and eventually to the insides of my lips.

The inside of my mouth then became raw and inflamed. I didn't develop sores but what looked like red blotches. My doctor was puzzled, but tested me for sti's, hiv, etc. All results came back normal as did my blood panel. I was told to gargle with baking soda and everything would simply heal eventually. Weeks later, the symptoms did not disappear. My mouth would seem to look normal (although the "chapped" feeling never went away) only to "break out" again within a couple days. Some days it would feel like the entire inside of my mouth was lathered with paste.

A few times a day, I would also develop a rash or flushing on my neck and upper chest that would last for about 10 minutes. In the past, I would have this reaction when I drank alcohol. There is also a slight tingling on the OUTSIDE of my mouth, with no visible symptoms. I thought maybe it was an allergic reaction. It certainly looks like it. The red splotches that occur look like hypersensitivity marks based on what I've seen online, especially on the insides of my lips. I switched to a natural toothpaste, stopped using mouthwash....nothing helped. This rash also tends to happen when I use my mouth....talking for an extended period or eating. It is like I am having an allergic reaction to something in my mouth.

I went to my dentist and was told it didn't look like any type of dental problem. It is not a dry mouth issue. Again, I was told it would heal on it's own.
Finally after a couple months, the severe redness in my mouth has pretty much gone away but the pasty,chapped kind of dry feeling, now somewhat patchy in my cheeks and especially behind my upper and lower lips has not gone away. I even occasionally feel it on the roof of my mouth. It seems to move around. Sometimes upper cheeks, sometimes lower...Drinking or rinsing immediately feels like I have sucked on a lemon. My Dr, still puzzled, gave me a referral to an ENT. After a quick examination, the ENT said everything looked normal despite my protests about these ongoing symptoms for 3 months now. I was told that perhaps it is stomatitis, although he said it normally doesn't last that long and he says I have no visible signs. I told him about the recurring red blotches and he didn't seem concerned. He recommended I take zinc, vitamin c, b-complex and iron supplements. I have always been a somewhat healthy person (non smoker, no drugs). Never been told I have any type of vitamin deficiency in the past nor have I had allergies (aside from the flushed skin when drinking). I have been on these supplements now for a few weeks and there is no change.

I need help and don't feel like I am getting it despite talking with 3 professionals now. It has now become extremely debilitating because it is uncomfortable all day long.

Any ideas? Thanks so much. I appreciate it.