Hello all. Dx 2004, probably now SPMS. I had an unpleasant hospital admission a few weeks ago which included a 5 day IV steroid regime. Really unwell but finally allowed to go home. As the drug info predicted the side effects started showing up a few weeks later. I’m losing great clumps of hair which is annoying, but what bothers me most are the sensations in my mouth. It feels like I have food trapped between my teeth all the time. There isn’t anything there. I clean my teeth and floss several times a day but it doesn’t help. I can’t keep my tongue still because my brain wants nto get rid of the debris that isn’t there, and it’s getting sore. i have a dry mouth due to lots of drugs. My dentist saw no problems. I occasionally get patches of numbness on my face, but no pain. Can trigeminal nerve damage do this? Is it the steroids? It’s driving me to distraction. Any advice?
Jane
I’m so sorry you’re going through this. Having a dry mouth is most unpleasant, I’ve been dealing with it since diagnosis, and it now burning all the time. I also suffer with Trigeminal neuralgia, I’ve lost feeling in around 75% of my head,face and mouth. Yes it’s true a lot of medications can cause a dry mouth, or irritate it further which is unpleasant. I personally use an unflavoured toothpaste and mouthwash alcohol free. Also be careful with salt and vinegar as these can also irritate your mouth. You may still be healing from the steroids, but if I was you I would update your ms team of these latest issues you’re dealing with. Hope it soon settles down for you.
Hi Animali, thanks for your words. I’ve had to deal with a dry mouth for years because of various medications. Hospital-induced bladder problems led to solifenacin which has made things much worse. At least I now don’t have to get up to pee 8 times a night. I love MS. 