I just came from my Lyme doc and he had a weird expression on his face when I told him that I have developed a terrible problem with biting my tongue, lip and cheek when talking and chewing.
He did not seem to think it was caused by Lyme but said who knows.
therefore, I get the feeling that not many, if any, people with Lyme have this issue.
I am trying to figure this out because I am being tested for other neuro disorders at the same time and the Lyme doc and neuro have different ideas about what is going on with me.
My tongue is so sore from biting it. This has gone on for a month now. I was choking on my saliva, but that has stopped.
Just checking...I am guessing that more than Lyme is going on inside of me given this and other symptoms that other Lymies dont' have.
Posted by coach (Member # 7539) on :
I bite the inside of my mouth when eating. I haven't bitten my tongue though.
Posted by Andie333 (Member # 7370) on :
Vachick,
Your post reminded me about this.
It's something I used to do prior to starting abx and in early treatment. My mouth was a mess! I took Llysine and also discussed it with my acupuncturist.
I now realize I haven't done this in months.
I never connected it as a Lyme symptom...but maybe it was and maybe it just got better with treatment.
Andie
Posted by vachick (Member # 8353) on :
Andie, Thanks for your post and PM. I was going to try to respond to you tonight when I had more time. I am currently at work.
That is very interesting about your mouth symptoms. I just can't figure out why Lyme would cause it.
Although I have chronic Lyme so my doc says anything is possible. I have very bad symptoms like myoclonus, twitching, muscle weakness, muscle fatigue, muscle heaviness/numbness...
So I guess he figures Lyme can affect everyone differently. I just don't know if I buy the mouth problems being lyme...
Posted by MizMo (Member # 8389) on :
va, I've had this problem on and off for a long time. (My doc just nods when I mention it.) It's like my mouth forgets how to chew and/or talk from time to time. It'll keep happening for days or weeks.
Having the chiropractor adjust my jaw seems to stop it for a while.
I've always assumed it was from the TMJ being so bad. (I had a bozo put braces on me as a kid he paid absolutley no attention to my bite.) I'm guessing TBDs just made the joint that much more unstable.
Although, it seems to me forgetting how to chew is not that different from forgetting how to swallow.
I can't tell you how many times I've pierced my lip this way.
I'm sorry you have this going on, too. I've never seen anyone else mention this either. I feel ever so slightly less weird.
Oh, one other thing... When this happens I put a small piece of ice on it and keep some pressure for as long as I can stand it (sometimes a couple of times). It lessens the swelling and stops the bleeding faster.
Posted by shazdancer (Member # 1436) on :
I'm wondering if these all might be related:
swallowing biting lip or cheek Bell's palsy
Certainly, many Lymies have reported a weaker presentation of Bell's palsy -- eye droop, partial numbness, etc. Could this be another lesser presentation?
Just wondering, Shaz
Posted by vachick (Member # 8353) on :
I'll be a monkey's uncle. That list actually showed biting your tongue and cheek often as a symptom!! I will bring that in to my doc next time.
Thanks a million!! I was dxd with FMS many years ago, and who knows if this is due to FMS/Lyme, but it is VERY INTERESTING.
Man, I must have 80% of the symptoms on that list! aaaargh.
Posted by vachick (Member # 8353) on :
Good question, Shaz. does Bell's Palsy include facial twitching, too, or is that something different?
I have facial twitching now that I didn't have a month ago. These tongue issues started about then, too.
Maybe the swallowing probs, twitching/Bell's palsy, and biting issues are all related?
Posted by lymie tony z (Member # 5130) on :
I continue to bite my cheek or tongue occasionally...
This has to be a central nerve problem...or short circuit....
It's about as frequent as my dropping things...early on it was more frequent and pronounced..... I had the facial palsy as well early on....zman
Posted by lymelady (Member # 6207) on :
Yes I have had this. Mostly on the inside of my cheek and mouth. Is there anything Lyme doesn't do? Lymelady
Posted by vachick (Member # 8353) on :
Lyme Lady, I am beginning to wonder that myself! I was fascinated by the symptom list that MizMo sent that showed biting tongue and cheek frequnetly as a symptom of FMS/CFS/Lyme! wow.
My tongue was totally red and felt like it was on fire from biting it so much, but today it feels much better.
Today I have facial twitching and back pain.
Tomorrow I will have something else! AAAAGH!!
I always have muscle fatigue and one-sided muscle weakness though. ugh.
By the way, I don't live far from you, Lyme Lady!
Posted by MizMo (Member # 8389) on :
The one article that I read recently http://www.autoimmunityresearch.org/lyme-disease/ said that lyme disease (and it's co infections) can cause over 100 symptoms. That master list probably isn't complete either, but it's closer.
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