This Ulcer thing just wont go

[Velvetee]

How can I get rid of this damn ulcer thing, which has taken up residency on the side of my tongue. It's sore and ugly and has been there a while.

It will go sometimes and then come back and obviously hates anything acidic. I've been to the doctor, who was dismissive and told me to rinse with salt water or use Bonjela, which I've already tried, but they have no effect.

I've started thinking I have tongue cancer caused by too many artificial sweetners. Has anyone else had an ulcer that wants to move in for good?

[kira000]

Try using Corsodyl mouthwash morning and night for a week or two.
It should help kill anything bad.

It may also help to see a dentist as it could be your teeth are rubbing your tongue for some reason.

I also personally find i get recurrent ulcers when i am tired and rundown. So more sleep and some vtamins might help.

[Buenchico]

In my teenage years I was plagued with persistent mouth ulcers. Bonjela gave short time relief, but I didn't really find a solution until the doctor prescribed a 'paste' which, once applied to the ulcer, formed an impregnable seal which killed the pain and gave the ulcer a chance to heal. (it only needed to be applied once, or at most twice, per day in order to keep the ulcer 'sealed').

I can't remember the name of the product but I do know that it was available without prescription. (I obtained it directly from the chemist's shop on several occasions). Further, I've seen something similar advertised on TV lately. (It was advertised as 'new' but I recognised it as the same product I'd used 40 years ago). I'm sure any pharmacist will know what is required if you describe 'a sort of paste which you put on mouth ulcers to seal them'.

Chris

[beaniesq]

I'm a pharmacist, and I can recommend a product that's very effective for your persistant ulcer! It is a bit more expensive than bonjela, but far more effective. It is called, Adcortyl in Orabase.

You will need to get it from your local pharmacy - it's not something you can get in a supermarket.

Adcortyl in Orabase comes in a tiny tube but a little goes a long way! Use it at night - after you've eaten supper/brushed your teeth/had a drink etc. A tiny blob on top of the ulcer, applied with a cotton bud will do the trick. The Orabase sort of solidifies on contact with the saliva on your tongue, and forms a protective coating over the 'crater' of the ulcer, whilst the Adcortyl works on the bacteria that cause the ulcer.

I guarantee, if you use this for 3 days (well, nights), you'll feel loads better.

Bonjela might taste nice and 'feel' medicinal, but it really isnt that effective for persistent or large ulcers.

The other, preventative measure you might want to consider is taking a good quality multivitamin supplement. This should help your immune system kick into action.

And a quick note on corsodyl - it can stain your teeth if you use it too much. You probably wont need the corsodyl if you get it under control with the Adcortyl in Orabase!

Good luck!

[Buenchico]

Please allow me to thank Beaniesq for his/her post. The name of the 'paste' I was struggling to remember was 'Orabase'.

If, as Beaniesq states, Orabase is now available with a corticosteroid additive ('Adcortyl'), it will be even better than I suggested.

Chris

[beaniesq]

Hi Chris, yes, the adcortyl bit is a steroid rather than an antibacterial - triamcinolone (try pronouncing that with a mouth ulcer!). Bonjela has antibacterial stuff in it, but it has no means of clinging to the ulcer, so your spit just washes it away within a few minutes.

And yes, it works really well - I use it myself.

It's a smashing product. :o)

[ParkChoi]

thanks for this beaniesq. my brother suffers from this same thing. he'll be so happy to know that there's something out there to help him.

[Velvetee]

Thanks everyone, only problem is, being pregnant I'm limited to what I can use. I've also tried Peroxyl, but that didn't work either.

What are the symptoms of mouth and tongue cancer?

Is it safe for me to use Adcortyl in Orabase Beaniesq?

[beaniesq]

Velvetee, don't worry, the amounts of steroid are so tiny that they can do absolutely no harm to the baby. You'd have to eat 10 tubes of the stuff to have any negative effects!

[Ice.Maiden]

My MiL feared that she had oral cancer because she had an ulcer on her inner lip that wouldn't go, and also detected blotches on her tongue. Fortunately, these had nothing to do with cancer and she's now well again, but red or white patches CAN indicate that there's something wrong, as well as other symptoms such as mouth numbness, swellings in the neck, a feeling as though something's stuck in your throat when swallowing - and weight loss. Always best to get examined if you have these sort of symptoms which linger for longer than necessary.

[beaniesq]

PS - unless you are, or have been, a smoker, you are very, very unlikely to develop oral cancer.

The fact that you are pregnant is effecting your immune system (baby carrying is a big strain on the body as you know), and that is 99.9% likely to be the reason for your problem.

Just another note on pregnancy - I said in an earlier post that you should take a good quality multivitamin. You should, especially because of the pregnancy, BUT - make sure you take some specially formulated for pregnancy. The reason for this is that sometimes 'normal' multivits have quite a lot of vitamin A in them, which is not good for the growing fetus.

[Velvetee]

Thanks Beanie. I was taking a multivitamin supplement, which didn't contain Vitamin A, but contained Iron. I recently had blood tests, where I was found to be Anaemic and I'm now taking Iron tablets, so have stopped the Multivitamin complex I was taking. I think I'll speak to my GP and ask for a pregnancy Multivitamin prescription.

I will go to the Chemist's and enquire about the product you suggested. I also think the ulcer is being worsened, because it is at the side of my tongue and protrudes, it's getting caught in my teeth, especially when asleep.

Thanks Ice, I probably don't have Oral Cancer, (I've never smoked) but do always feel as though I have phlegm stuck in the back of my throat. I think I need to get around to making an appointment at the Dentist's.

Bez, yes, I've tried the warm salted water for weeks, it just doesn't work unfortunately.

[Ice.Maiden]

I'm sure you don't have oral cancer Velvetee, but when you're pregnant, all sorts of irrational fears can take over. You'll be fine when your baby comes along.

[Ice.Maiden]

Don't think there's a first-time mother out who doesn't worry about this, that and the other. After that - you become a dab-hand, and all of a sudden, you don't worry about health matters so much. No - because then the worries are transferred to whittling about the baby!!! Lol. It gets better though.... so I'm told.

[beaniesq]

Velvetee - It makes more sense now you've said you're anaemic. Mouth ulcers unfortunately plague people when they are run down or lacking in vitamins. If its on the side of your tongue, the friction from your teeth are probably perpetuating the problem.

Get those vitamins and iron sorted!

Good luck (im trying for a baby so I might be contacting You for some answers in the future! haha).

[sqad617]

velvette, all the answers given are first rate...BUT..one question.

"Does the ulcer EVER go away completely?

[Velvetee]

No Squad, it's been there for a year and will go down slightly, but hangs around like a bad omen and comes back with a vengeance.

[sqad617]

velvettee....in that case I would suggest that you got to your GP and diplomatically ask if you could have it biopsied.

[Velvetee]

I went to the doctor's Squad, he just poo pooed it and said use Bonjella. I think a dentist will have more understanding of problems of the mouth, booking an appointment tomorrow.