GCA and constant bad taste in the mouth

[1944Nevermore]

Does anyone else have a constant, unpleasant and difficult to describe bad taste in the mouth, Highly spiced foods mask it on a temporary but it always returns and contributes to the constant "thirst" .

[SheffieldJane]

Do you have the symptoms of gastric reflux? This produces a pretty awful taste. See what your GP says.

[1944Nevermore in reply to SheffieldJane]

Thanks for this tip. I don't think gastric reflux is the culprit but you may have point with the silent variety? Some very strong peppermint mints seems to have been a help too.

The many comments and tips on this site referring to GCA are very, very comforting as at first one thinks one is all alone dealing with it.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Ditto to what SJ suggests - especially what is called silent reflux which doesn't have the typical symptoms of reflux.

[Phoenix51]

Hi. I can relate to your post .. for the last 4 weeks or so I’ve had a terrible taste in my mouth, as you say, difficult to describe. I thought at first it might have been the eye drops I was putting in for glaucoma but then I wondered why that would last all the next day. I also wondered about Acid reflux but didn’t have any other symptoms of that ( but I am aware of silent reflux) Yesterday I found some info on oral thrush and it seemed to tick some boxes with regard to the strange taste on my tongue, feels a bit ‘fizzy’ or at times mild burning sensation , only thing that stops it temporarily is food! The info also said that oral thrush can be a side effect of prednisolone. My tongue isn’t completely white which is why i didn’t consider this possibility but this is probably because I brush it all the time to try and get rid of taste, but it is whiteish and sometimes has a grey tinge, very odd. I contacted surgery today and dr thinks it may well be oral thrush and has prescribed a gel to try, it’s getting picked up tomorrow I REALLY hope it works as it’s driving me mad, if it’s not that I’ll have to think again.

It’s worth bearing in mind that oral thrush can be dangerous for those with weakened immune systems as the Candida can spread throughout the body and affect organs apparently. So worth considering. Hope this helps

[Linny3]

I am so sorry you have this problem, but I was elated when I saw your post. I thought I was going crazy. For about 8 mos. I have had this white/gray fuzzy coating on my tongue and everything tastes awful. When not eating or drinking I have this awful taste in my mouth and it is driving me crazy. I thought about thrush but I didn't think it fit the picture of what I was experiencing. I have changed my mind and I am going to use Diflucan for the next few days and see how it goes. I just happen to have some tablets from last year. (:

I do not have reflux so I know it isn't that, and I don't think reflux would give this strange color to my tongue.

The only thing I have found that helps some is to put cinnamon on food & drink, especially coffee. Coffee was tasting awful but the cinnamon makes it taste much better. I have started chewing sugared gum. That helps for a moment and then it loses its flavor, but is is nice to have the taste gone if even for a few moments.

Good Luck with this awful seemingly side effect of prednisone. (one of many side effects):

[Phoenix51]

Let me know how you get on with the tablets, my nystatin wasn’t ready yesterday so I was disappointed but hopefully today or Monday.. I’m pinning my hopes on that working .. it’s really horrible isn’t it ? Good luck, hope you manage to get rid of it.

[Linny3 in reply to Phoenix51]

I also found anise lozenges. They take the taste away for the the time I have them in my mouth,.

[1944Nevermore]

Tapering dose change today.. so will know if adjustment to taste etc. will begin again. Plus some days have more energy than others. But know now to listen to my body. When it says rest, I rest. Brain and body sometimes seem at odds with one another but I understand this is a common problem.