Mouth ulcers

[Crommie]

I have had a medium ulcer inside my right cheek for about a month which I keep biting. Been to dentist and told to rinse mouth in salt water. Going back tomorrow as still sore. I am diagnosed with GCA. Are ulcers a side effect of prednisolone does anyone know.

[SheffieldJane]

I think that these annoying little issues hang around much longer when you are immunosuppressed. I have had a sore that I keep accidentally biting in the past. Salt is a good idea. I think that I used Bonjella previously ( for teething babies) the pleasant flavour reminded me to be careful not to bite my inner cheek.

[Crommie in reply to SheffieldJane]

That is me.

[Chihuahua1 in reply to Crommie]

I don't know whether this could apply to you, but my doctor told me years ago that mouth ulcers can be a sign of being low in one of the vit Bs, but cannot remember which one. I started with mouth ulcers again about 6 months ago, so started a course of Vit B complex and they healed up. When I stopped taking them I had a flare of ulcers so I take Vit B complex every day now. It also helps me a little bit with the fatigue I believe, although that could just be wishful thinking.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Chihuahua1]

Folate, B9. It is the one methotrexate interferes with so supplements are required along with it to stop the ulcers.

[Chihuahua1 in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you PMRpro. I'm afraid my memory is not what it used to be.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Chihuahua1]

It's hardly the sort of information you take major notice of though is it? How often do you need to know it in everyday life

[Crommie in reply to Chihuahua1]

Will ask gp if I can have B12. Sounds good. Get sooo tired. 😍

[Chihuahua1 in reply to Crommie]

ORAJEL is also good for calming and healing stubborn ulcers. It is quite expensive given how tiny the tube is but it is very effective

[HeronNS]

I think some people develop thrush. But that's different, isn't it? Salt water is to ease infection. If you have a sore because of an allergy or sensitivity to a food, for example, salt might not help. You know what I've found soothing at different times, although I'm not prone to getting mouth sores I do have a sore mouth occasionally? Sometimes mint tea is soothing. Sometimes a glass of sherry (the alcohol 😆 ). My hubby gets what he calls cankers and they are often associated with a food he's eaten, and I think this is true for me too, although I've never pinpointed what it might be. I'm more sensitive to some foods since being on pred for some years, but maybe just age?

[Crommie in reply to HeronNS]

I definitely bit it!!

[Sharitone in reply to HeronNS]

My mouth is sore all the time, with top layer of skin missing. Improves while eating, and gets worse afterwards. Can't find it on amy PIL. Is that what you get?

[HeronNS in reply to Sharitone]

No. Sounds dreadful.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Not necessarily the Pred per se, but as SheffieldJane says because you are immune suppressed then your body doesn’t fight off any infection as well it did as before steroids.

[Crommie in reply to DorsetLady]

Never thought of that. Thank you.

[Purplecrow]

Look for the product for canker sore relief. Small tube, Over counter, near other oral care items. Also child's teething remedies ( homeopathic).These give instant pain relief and sores heal promptly.

[Crommie in reply to Purplecrow]

Thank you.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Not usually no. They are a side effect of methotrexate and a few other similar drugs which we rarely get landed with.

One problem with biting the side of your cheek is it keeps happening because of the swelling. Have you tried Bonjela?

[Crommie in reply to PMRpro]

I am going to. Thanks.

[Hidden]

I get the odd ulcer and more since taking Pred. I have bitten the inside of bottom lip, both sides, I now have two lumps, but dentist always check out our mouths. Always biting down on the blinking lumps too. Ulcers can be so painful and like Jane I too use Bonjella, that seems to help lot.

[Crommie in reply to Hidden]

I have Bongela so will try it thanks.

[Rokerman]

Have had what seems a lifetime of this and just getting over the latest one!The best solution is to use something called ‘Adcortyl in Orabase’ - but that was withdrawn in the UK, apparently for ‘commercial reasons’.

It is available under the name of ‘Kanalog’ in Australia and NZ - I get it sent over by my nephew in Perth! It works very rapidly - the orabase makes it stick, whereas Bonjela (being a gel) simply slides off. It feels slightly odd in the mouth - I apply it at bedtime.

What is available in the UK is ‘Iglu’ - an orabase which confusingly is called a ‘gel’ on the small tube…

[Crommie in reply to Rokerman]

Thank you. Will look for that.

[SnazzyD in reply to Crommie]

The one I use is called Iglu and does indeed stick. You have to take a dab of it and swipe it on on one go otherwise once it’s wet, it’ll never leave your finger.

[Crommie in reply to SnazzyD]

Thanks xx

[LIVEORDIEHEREIAM]

One more thing to try: wax the teeth that do the damage. Sounds silly but I have bitten my cheeks for many, many years and the best thing I've found is that wax that is for people with braces. It comes in two versions: little sticks and little beads. The beads are to stick onto the wires (braces) to keep them from snagging your cheek. The sticks just need to be rubbed gently on the offending teeth and rinsed for next time. I use those. They are cheap too! (Paraffin wax)Good Luck!

[loomweaver]

I am just getting over another bout of ulcers, I tried salt water, then I got some IGLU that relieved the pain, it wasn't easy to put on, as the ulcers where on the top of my mouth, and back of my teeth, it felt odd in my mouth, I also rinsed with an antiseptic mouth wash. I might try the Vit B12

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to loomweaver]

B9, folate, is the one you are likely to have best results with for mouth ulcers.

[loomweaver in reply to PMRpro]

Many thanks, I will try that.