My name is Dane, I am a 23 year old male residing in Somerset, Kentucky. I am an Engineering student at the University of Kentucky. I have had some nagging issues with my mouth the last 4 months, and I cant seem to get any doctor to pin down what is wrong.

4 months ago, I noticed a scary, large lesion on my tongue. I thought it would go away but more lesions appeared daily. I have used smokeless tobacco, or dip(SKOAL) for 7 years, and also did a fair bit of drinking for a few years(high school). With my history I was very afraid so I saw a dentist. My dentist diagnosed me with geographic tongue and as I found out, my case was an absolute text book case of GT. At this point I had no pain.

The lesions came and went, I was obsessed with looking at them in the mirror(crazy I guess), pulling my tongue out in awkward ways. A week after seeing the dentist, I woke up one morning with pain on swallowing. When I stuck my tongue out to look at it, I had severe shooting pains upon extending it in the left side of my tongue.
This felt as if I had pulled my tongue badly, which made sense.

The pain in my tongue started to subside, but never fully went away. In the first few weeks of pain, I also had inner ear pain occasionally, however that at least has completely resolved itself(thank god).

Another few weeks pass, now my tongue pain is gone. At this point I developed a Burning Sensation under the Left Side of my tongue. This burning sensation has persisted to this day. It is an on/off pain during the day, and sometimes seems worse in the mornings. It seems as though exercise helps it more than anything. After I run a few miles, it seems as though the pain subsides completely for a few hours.

This burning pain has not resolved itself, but seems to be much less painful and annoying than it was 2 months ago. It certainly has not gotten worse.

As far as lesions under my tongue, I have one very small bump on the v-shaped tissue on the floor of my mouth mid-way under my tongue. I was told this bump was an overgrowth of lymphatic tissue, and as I recall, I know it has been there at least one year(maybe my whole life) without growing. It seems as though the pain is coming from this area, but it is not tender to the touch. It does not seem to hurt on the outside in other words.

I have seen a dentist, a family doctor(gp), an ENT, and an Oral Surgeon. Floor of mouth was bimanually palpitated by oral surgeon and ent, with no lumps or abnoramalities. However, they both said I had a swollen salivary gland on that side, located directly behind my front bottom teeth to the left side.

All DRs. said it wasent Oral Cancer, but hopefully everyone can understand why it still worries me. I cant figure out what it could be, and the worst is always on my mind. I just have a few questions, and any help is greatly appreciated.

-If the only area I put in question in my mouth hasent grown any in the last year, would'nt that probally mean it is not malignant?

-Has anyone had symptoms like this?

-Does anyone have any ideas what this could be?

-What would you do, or who would you see if you were in my situation?

-Is it possible that I damaged a nerve by looking at my tongue, and under it so much?

Thanks alot guys, by the way, after I finish engineering school, I'm thinking of becoming a doctor. I think socialized medicine is certainly the way to go. The healthcare system here in the states is totally pathetic.

Thanks to all and God bless.
-

Hi Dane

The first, best thing to do is quit dipping completely and utterly; that crap is not at all good for you.

Has any of the doctors you've seen offered antibiotics? That's usually the first (failed) line of defense for most of us. You mentioned poking, prodding and palpating, but was a biopsy done? They're not fun, but that's just about the only way to rule out cancer.

The estimable Dr Joshi is really the best person to answer your more technical questions, but please remember that this is really not a site for diagnosis.

Does your university have a good student health office? You might want to check with them for a referral to a head & neck cancer specialist (again, if only to rule out cancer).

I don't know if you might be damaging a nerve by looking at and under your tongue "so much," but it's like any other sore--the more you fuss around with it, the more you irritate it and the longer it takes to heal.

I agree with you completely about the healthcare system in the states, but I think the sun will rise in the west before any real, beneficial change happens. (My soap box is now safely away).

Please let us know how things turn out.

Julia

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Julia,

quote:

The pain in my tongue started to subside, but never fully went away. In the first few weeks of pain, I also had inner ear pain occasionally, however that at least has completely resolved itself(thank god).

Another few weeks pass, now my tongue pain is gone. At this point I developed a Burning Sensation under the Left Side of my tongue. This burning sensation has persisted to this day. It is an on/off pain during the day, and sometimes seems worse in the mornings. It seems as though exercise helps it more than anything. After I run a few miles, it seems as though the pain subsides completely for a few hours.

This burning pain has not resolved itself, but seems to be much less painful and annoying than it was 2 months ago. It certainly has not gotten worse.

As far as lesions under my tongue, I have one very small bump on the v-shaped tissue on the floor of my mouth mid-way under my tongue. I was told this bump was an overgrowth of lymphatic tissue, and as I recall, I know it has been there at least one year(maybe my whole life) without growing. It seems as though the pain is coming from this area, but it is not tender to the touch. It does not seem to hurt on the outside in other words.

Hello Dane

There are several possible causes for a burning sensation (burning mouth syndrome ), cancer being least likely. Please ask your doctor to refer you to an 'oral medicine' specialist.

Best wishes

Vinod