White tongue - what is it?

Question

I just posted about one of my side effects being a sore tongue.  It's been sore for maybe 10 - 14 days or so.  I just noticed that it is now WHITE!  Down the center at the back...

I saw a post recently saying this is something to be concerned about.  What is it?

suezeeque · Answer

I called yesterday to tell the nurse about my sore, white tongue.  I was asked if I was taking any new medications.  No.  Any changes in diet, etc.  No.  Do you see things that look like pimples on your tongue, too?  Lemme look.  Yes.  Said she'd never heard of this being a side effect of treatment, maybe I should go to my family doctor.

So I told her I'd just pulled out the study documents and, in fact, mouth sores, tongue inflammation, etc is listed in the side effects.  Can't say, "Well the folks on the innerwebs told me it's true!"  Haha...

So I got my appointment pushed up a day Thurs rather than Fri).  I could have gone in today but my work schedule won't allow it.

TripleCrown · Answer

Anyway. Had a nystatin lozenge and feel better. 
Wasting 4 hours...and they say my 4 week labs on victrelis aren't in. I think waiting to hear the results have got me looking to do anything not to feel helpless and at the mercy of doctors. Turns out I'm his 2nd tx patient. The first quit mainly because of the mouth sores!!!  But gotta be my own advocate cause there isn't anyone else who is going to do it for me. I'm on a rant... But feels good to get it out.
Thanks. Whew.

TripleCrown · Answer

You are not alone. My low level sore tongue / throat went from mild to really painful in two days after I noticed the white tongue and white patches on my cheeks. Damn if my dr thought I was nuts asking for magic mouthwash. I'm sure an oncologist would have heard of it as is common with chemo. I even faxed the mayo clinic recipe and he told me to try chloriseptic until our appointment in 2 weeks. I can hardly eat! Any way I was pissed (sx) so went to my gp waited forever for him to look at my mouth he said candida infection and gave me the nystatin lozenges and some lidocaine . Made my own mm from the recipe equal parts baby benadryl, maalox, (both cherry. Didn't want to mix mint and cherry, yuk) and the lidocaine. Swishes, gargled and kept in my mouth alap

redsurfer · Answer

i had this when i did chemo for breast cancer.. the dr gave me some prescription losenges and they worked but it took about a week.. i think he did give me some mouthwash that worked better.later but its been 7 years. now on triple with incivek it came back and was there constantly so i used the losenges again and it kept it under control and now that ive been off incivek it seems to be gone... it is really gross... sorry you got it too... at least you know you can get rid of it !!

suezeeque · Answer

Thanks all.  I'll give them a call in the morning.  It's quite uncomfortable!

I wonder if this 'magic mouthwash' is magic enough that I'll be able to eat jerk chicken with rice and peas with oxtail gravy again!  Haha!

Maybe I'll just wait another year or so before trying that one again!  Boo!

Dee1956 · Answer

Hi I started with the white stuff as well which I recognized as thrush from last tx.  I got Mycelex lozenges.  Then the problem because my entire mouth felt like I had burned it so my doc called in a concoction called Magic Mouthwash as it has nystatin, something to numb your mouth, even something for itching it has been a miracle for me though it makes me sleepy I am very grateful to all who responded to my earlier questions about my tongue.  It is much better with MM
I hope you can get some quick relief.  Before I could in touch with anyone I used yogurt and lots of water that  helped a big.
Dee

willbb · Answer

Sue...As lynda suggests...Magic Mouthwash should help...an even if  it is "thrush"  which is a form of fungal growth. one of the  ingredients in MM is  nystatin which s what is prescribed for thrush
Hope it clears for you...
Will

suezeeque · Answer

Sore is one thing...  But WHITE?  After googling thrush+tongue...  It certainly looks the same.  Whether or not it is thrush, I don't know.  

When it started to get sore I would rinse my mouth with Listerine zero (no alcohol) because even toothpaste stung like a sonofa_____.  That took the sting away.

I've never had problems with my mouth/tongue so of course I'm relating this to treatment.

Why does stuff like this have to start on weekends for us?  ;)

lynda607 · Answer

Ask your doctor for a prescription for Magic Mouthwash.  It will clear it up and take away the soreness from your tongue.  I had the same symptoms and did not have thrush.  I call it the medicine mouth due to the treatment drugs.