I am in agony,please help!

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lisaelder1972
lisaelder1972 Member Posts: 171
edited June 2014 in Life After Breast Cancer
  Let me start by saying that since I finished chemo in Nov 2006,I have not had the first cold.Prior to BC,I had bronichitis 3-4 times every winter without fail.Any health problems have been a direct result of treatment.Around the first week of Feb,I woke up and my mouth and throat were sore.I looked in the mirror and saw that I had several canker sores on my tongue,under my tongue and on the right side of my throat.I don't think I have ever been in so much pain in my life,even my bilateral and natural childbirth.I bought every darn product I could find.Finally gave up and went to PCP.I got really scared because I had(still have) swollen lymph nodes.After I begged,he finally prescribed me some Lidocaine,it didn't help.It hurts to talk and even worse to eat.I feel like I have the flu,with body aches,chills and an earache.I am scared because they are still there and still hurt like hell.I know this may sound crazy,but can you get mets in your mouth?Does anybody else have problems with them?
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  • Pharmmom
    Pharmmom Member Posts: 300
    edited February 2009

    Hi Lisa

     Sorry you are going through this!!  I don't know the answer to your mets question, though my first instinct is to say no.  Call the oncologist about that.  As for canker sores there is a product in the vitamin aisle of your store called L Lyseine.  Its an amino acid and it helps tremendously with canker sores.  Try it.  It won't work overnight but it does help.  I hope things improve!  Take Care.  Barb

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  • hooptiedoo
    hooptiedoo Member Posts: 100
    edited February 2009

    Canker sores can take up to two weeks to heal. I know, because I've suffered from them my whole life. They can be brought on by any kind of stress, including illness, or dental trauma, such as a visit to the dentist for a cleaning.

    Over the years, this is what I've learned. About the only thing that will relieve the pain (and it will relieve it, not take it away) is Aleve. After I brush my teeth, I put peroxide gel (Plus White toothpaste is a good example) on my teeth, gums and tongue and apply some specifically on any canker sores, then let it bubble away for several minutes. This helps heal existing sores and helps prevent new ones.

    After brushing and using the peroxide gel, I coat any canker sores with Kanka. It not only helps with the pain, it forms a "bandage" over them. At night, I sleep with a mouthgard so I don't accidentally bite down on one of the sores and make them worse.

    I know how painful just one can be and know you must be suffering terribly to have so many. I would recommend in addition to the L-Lysine, which will help stop them from forming, you also take something to help boost your immune system. A nutritionist or health food store can help you find the things you need.

    It wouldn't hurt to tell your oncologist about this, although I'm sure you don't have mets, just an extreme case of herpes simplex, which is what canker sores are caused by. You might also talk to your dentist and see if he/she has suggestions.

     Hang in there! I know it's tough and believe me, I know how painful it is. But it's not life-threatening and it will go away!

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  • Dejaboo
    Dejaboo Member Posts: 2,916
    edited February 2009

    Lisa,

      Im sorry you are in so much pain.  I had something maybe similar after my BLM.

    Which was Oral Thrush.  it can be very painful...I too thought I just had Canker sores at the time & was gargling with mouth wash like crazy- only to find that makes Thrush worse.

    Here is a Link with some info on Thrush:

    http://www.medicinenet.com/thrush/article.htm

    Pam

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  • caaclark
    caaclark Member Posts: 936
    edited February 2009

    Could also be Cocksacki (sp?) virus, I think also called Hand/Foot/Mouth.  A friend of mine had that years ago and she was in horrible pain. 

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  • abbadoodles
    abbadoodles Member Posts: 2,618
    edited February 2009

    I would be willing to bet my life that you have some sort of infection, be it bacterial, viral or some parasite/fungus.  Since you have already been to your PCP, what did HE say it was?  Did he swab and culture it? 

    Do not keep fantasizing it is mouth mets.

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  • carolsd
    carolsd Member Posts: 358
    edited February 2009

    I had a mouth and throat full of canker sores when I was suffering from mononucleosis in college. It was during the wind-down stage, when I was well enough to start attending classes again (after several weeks). All of a sudden my mouth, tongue, throat were covered in canker sores. Very painful. There was little I could tolerate food-wise, and talking hurt. I don't know, but I think it must have been a reaction to a stressed out immune system. I hope you find relief soon. I doubt it has anything to do with BC.

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