I have been diagnosed with burning mouth syndrome and am on edge dealing with the constant pain.
I have a very tight jaw and my teeth always hurt. The pain also radiates to the neck and shoulders. I have seen several consultants who say there is no cure or medicine. What would you advise?
Dr. Ellie answers: Burning mouth syndrome is a distressing and painful condition and sadly it is not surprising to learn that someone has not been offered a cure or help.
As the name suggests, the condition causes horrible symptoms inside the mouth that are usually described as a burning pain that can feel like scalding, tingling, or even tingling.
Some patients also find that chewing gum, consuming cold drinks, or sucking on ice cubes provides temporary relief from burning mouth syndrome.
Some people will also notice numbness in their mouth, as well as changes in how things taste and a feeling of dryness.
It can affect any part of the mouth, but is usually the tongue and palate. It most frequently affects women over 60 years of age. Doctors are still not sure what causes it.
Unfortunately, these symptoms can be long-lasting for most patients. And it is true that there are no specific treatments that work for everyone.
Additionally, because it is an unusual type of pain, regular pain relievers may not help relieve the debilitating sensation.
However, that doesn’t mean there’s nothing you can do to manage your symptoms. Many experts believe it is related to stress and poor mental health, which is why specialists often recommend relaxation such as yoga and meditation to help reduce pain.
Doctors may prescribe a low-dose antidepressant that may help. Some patients also find that chewing gum, consuming cold drinks, or sucking on ice cubes provides temporary relief.
I want to get the shingles vaccine but I have never had chickenpox. I heard it contains the chickenpox virus, so I’m worried I might get sick. Is it safe for me to get it?
Dr. Ellie answers: It’s perfectly safe to get vaccinated against shingles if you haven’t had chickenpox, but there’s a good chance you will get it at some point.
Chickenpox is caused by the chickenpox virus, which can live in the body long-term and reactivate to cause the painful skin blistering condition in the future.
Most people get chickenpox in childhood. Symptoms usually include a high temperature and a rash of red, itchy spots.
However, many people develop chickenpox without realizing it, because the symptoms can often be very mild, with only one or two spots.
For the small percentage of people who have not had chickenpox, the shingles vaccine, called Shingrix, poses no threat.
The vaccine contains only a small part of the virus (called a protein), not the entire virus. This protein is enough to help the immune system recognize the chickenpox virus and produce defensive antibodies to protect it. But it cannot give you chickenpox.
That’s why the NHS encourages everyone eligible for the shingles vaccine to come forward for it, even if they think they haven’t had chickenpox.
The vaccine is offered to people turning 65 and people between 70 and 80 years old. Controversially, the NHS has decided not to offer the vaccine to people aged 66 to 69.
If you are worried that you may not have had chickenpox, talk to your GP.
I am 58 years old and have had ulcerative colitis for almost two decades. For the past few years I have been taking immunosuppressive medications, which have kept the disease under control.
However, I am concerned about what the long-term impact will be, as I read that there are many possible side effects. I haven’t seen my consultant since the pandemic, except for phone calls. That I have to do?
Dr. Ellie answers: Patients with a chronic disease such as ulcerative colitis should expect to be on medications for life, so it is important for them to have good communication with their doctors.
Ulcerative colitis is an intestinal disease in which the colon becomes inflamed and damaged. It is believed to be triggered by an overactive immune system, which is why immunosuppressive drugs are effective.
However, these medications have a number of side effects, including that they can make patients more susceptible to infections. Research suggests that some of these medications may increase the chances of developing certain types of cancer, particularly skin cancer.
Understandably, these potential complications may be worrying to patients. But it is important to remember that the risk of them occurring is relatively low. The benefits of taking medication tend to outweigh the negatives.
Occasionally, people may have periods of remission, in which the disease is under control so that medication can be temporarily stopped. However, it can be difficult to predict when these episodes of remission will occur and they can often be disappointingly short periods.
It will be up to your specialist, and not your GP, to decide when you can temporarily stop taking immunosuppressants.
You should be able to request an in-person consultation with the specialist team.
Orgasms are good for you…doctors’ orders
A British-made sex toy has been approved as a medical treatment: it’s called MysteryVibe Legato and is designed to stimulate blood flow to the labia and help combat vaginal dryness after menopause.
There is also an eye-catching advertising campaign promising prescription orgasms.
I don’t support it, but just as GPs talk to men about erectile dysfunction, we’re also here to advise them on female sexual health.
Emma Thompson stars in Good Luck To You, Leo Grande, as a middle-aged woman who has never had an orgasm.
Problems climaxing may be a side effect of medications (particularly antidepressants) or related to menopause. And orgasms are good for us: they improve sleep, heart health, and relieve headaches and other pain.
Have you, like Emma Thompson’s character in the movie Good Luck to You Big Leo, pictured above, never had one?
And that bothers you? Do you think having orgasms in middle age and beyond is important or not? Please write to me and let me know; can remain anonymous.
Do you have a question for Dr. Ellie Cannon? Email DrEllie@mailonsunday.co.uk
Dr. Cannon cannot engage in personal correspondence and her responses should be taken in a general context.