Black tongue

[Doubter]

Hi I have just been diagnose with pmr I am still not sure what it is and is it serious one thing I forgot to tell the doctor my dentist said I have a black tongue and I have a metal taste in my mouth is this normal with this condition

[Hidden]

I usually have a white tongue from thrush. I understand that the tongue can pick up other bacteria and fungal infections that can turn black. It's supposed to be harmless but I would address it. This link may help you.

mayoclinic.org/diseases-con...

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Upper or lower surface of your tongue???

[SheffieldJane]

This has happened to me once when I was in New York and took Pepto- bismol for indigestion. It frightened the life out of me. There must have been an ingredient in this remedy that caused it. Could it be a side effect of something you are taking. Wikipedia seems to think it is relatively harmless. I’d send a link if I knew how.

[Marilyn1959]

Get it checked out with GP. I didn't have black tongue, but did have a strong metallic taste just prior to vomiting copious coffee bean blood! Apparently it was a gastric bleed either caused by pred or trauma caused by fall. So playing a guessing game of 'it could be / couldn't be' is not advisable - hence advice that it should be checked out by GP. I certainly haven't heard of black tongue and metallic taste being a symptom of PMR.

[Blearyeyed]

Have you had the black tongue since taking your PMR medication , or since taking some other medications in the last few months , like other steroids or antibiotics for an infection, new vitamin or mineral supplements ?

Black Tongue is more often than not caused by a reaction to taking certain types of drugs that were taken for too long , were given at too high a dose , were the wrong prescription for your illness ( happens alot with antibiotics ) or you were personally intolerant to them.

When the drug or other irritant leaves your system with regular brushing and gargling the black tongue usually goes in 2-4 weeks.

Tell your GP though , they can confirm this .

[Yellowbluebell]

Hi welcome to the forum. Could you please fill in your profile details as this helps us give you appropriate advice.YBB

[patriciawhite]

I would go back to the doctor and show it to them ,better recorded than explained later when it may have gone away . Better safe than sorry .

[ClarkB]

I had a purply/‘black’ tongue recently, and was somewhat alarmed. I remember being told to use Cortisol mouthwash, to prevent infection after root canal work. I have previously had staining of my teeth, due to it. The latter is mentioned on the bottle. I also had a strong metallic taste in my mouth, which I felt initially when I still had mercury fillings. When they were removed it disappeared. It returned when I had PMR, and the dentist said it would be gastric, due to the reflux action. Probably a different explanation for you, (although I haven’t seen the doctor regarding mine, and am just guessing with the Cortisol) so worth checking up on!

[OutdoorsyGal]

The antimicrobial mouthwash my oral surgeon gave me turned my tongue brown, and furrowed. Very uncomfortable. Glad to discontinue it.