Has anybody ever heard of Geographic Tongue ?

Robyn64
Robyn64 Member Posts: 124
edited December 2014 in Head and Neck Cancer #1

Not long after my treatment finished on 8th August , I had a really bad case of Mucositis. It eventually became Thrush, with white spots on the back of my tongue. Was given Caphosol for free to try as its not on the market here yet, so thought this would clear, nope. During the last few months , was also given Nilstat. Took a really bad fall and split the back of my head and whilst in emergency the dr there said " Did you know you have thrush of the tongue " , said I did but the medicine I have used doesnt work. So he was prescribing Daktarin, this did not work either.

My mum said maybe you are just using too many things too close together, stick to one, which I did , the Caphosol, did nothing for a few more months. 

I had to have another minor test last week and went back to my gp today for results , all good . Thought whilst I was there I would ask why wont my tongue clear up. If I roll my tongue around it hurts and feels sore and feels like the tongue is swollen with a very rough surface which I feel sometimes affects my speech. Online it says that the rough surface is because you have lost the top layer of your tongue.

The dr looked at my tongue and straight away said " Im pretty sure thats not thrush, its geographic tongue" which resembles thrush. He reckons thats why none of the medicines worked.

I asked how long would it last , he reckons I could possibly have it for good. But looked it up when I got home and it doesnt seem permanent but cause is unknown. One site said that its definitely not related to cancer.

If you google this you will see it looks a tiny bit like thrush. Sort of like mapping on a tongue which changes different areas, for me mainly at back.

Has anybody else had it , if so , please tell me how you are ?

He has prescribed me a fungal lozenge to take suck on 4 times a day after food. I have only just had my 1st and my tongue I feel has improved slightly when I roll it.

Has anybody heard of geographic tongue ? I have never had it before, they say it  can appear mainly later in life.

Thanks ,

 

Robyn

 

Comments

  • phrannie51
    phrannie51 Member Posts: 4,716
    #2
    I had to look this one up....

    It's one of those medical mysteries it seems.  Nobody can say what it is exactly, where it comes from, or when it'll go away....just that it does go away eventually. 

    I'm sorry you have to suffer this insult on top of all you've been through.  I read in one place that zinc lounges might be helpful....I think you can pick those up over the counter.

    p

  • ErthWlkr
    ErthWlkr Member Posts: 60
    #3
    Fighting thrush...

    Hi Robyn -

    I had an initial bout of thrush following treatment that lasted for several weeks even after two different medications were prescribed by both a dentist and an oral surgeon.

    I then did a bit of research and came up with a product, Orithrush. It's an over-the-counter product that can be bought in health food stores or vitamin shops.

    It's a liquid that you dilute in plain water then use as a gargle and mouth rinse. It's basically sorbic acid so what it does is change the PH of your mouth.

    What the medication couldn't cure several weeks was taken care of in two days using Orithrush.

    I had a second bout a couple of years later - used this product and the infection was gone in a day.

    It's worth a try - may work...

    - Jeff

  • ErthWlkr
    ErthWlkr Member Posts: 60
    #4
    ErthWlkr said:

    Fighting thrush...

    Hi Robyn -

    I had an initial bout of thrush following treatment that lasted for several weeks even after two different medications were prescribed by both a dentist and an oral surgeon.

    I then did a bit of research and came up with a product, Orithrush. It's an over-the-counter product that can be bought in health food stores or vitamin shops.

    It's a liquid that you dilute in plain water then use as a gargle and mouth rinse. It's basically sorbic acid so what it does is change the PH of your mouth.

    What the medication couldn't cure several weeks was taken care of in two days using Orithrush.

    I had a second bout a couple of years later - used this product and the infection was gone in a day.

    It's worth a try - may work...

    - Jeff

    On second thought -

    ...if the problem is truly geographic tongue, using the Orithrush might further irritate the area.

    You did mention it was a GP who said it was most likely geographic tongue...you might want to try an opinion from a dentist or oral surgeon..

    - Jeff

  • IAmStrong
    IAmStrong Member Posts: 58
    #5
    ErthWlkr said:

    On second thought -

    ...if the problem is truly geographic tongue, using the Orithrush might further irritate the area.

    You did mention it was a GP who said it was most likely geographic tongue...you might want to try an opinion from a dentist or oral surgeon..

    - Jeff

    I too developed a bad case of thrush

    After starting a course of antibiotics.  I went to my head and neck group and was told, "Oh we forgot to tell you, whenever you take an antibiotic from now on, you must take Probiotics daily."  I was told to take Culturelle, that is what cleared my mouth up and has been my mainstay.  I too developed deep tracks in my tongue and have off and on.  They have not lasted.  I was told it was normal to see after rads, also they mentioned geographic tongue.    For me, not permanent at all.  Best to you while you get this under control.

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