Canker sores!

So I have been getting canker sores since 2008 (2 years before being diagnosed with UC). Sometimes I go for months without one, sometimes 3 at the same time, varying levels of pain, and always in different locations. The worst ones are on the side of the tongue. Now I think this may have something to do with my UC but in no way they are connected to being in a flare or not. I haven't had a flare in years, with clean scopes, yet still get them. Lately they are getting worse again so I just want to find a solution to at least get rid of them quicker, or hopefully do something to prevent them from coming in the first place. If anyone can share their canker sore remedies, tips, tricks, or anythinggg, would be appreciated. So far all I have tried is "oracort" which I need a prescription for, which seems to make the canker sore last around 3-4 days, instead of double that. Anyone? Thanks for reading.

I used to get a lot of sores in my mouth before I got on remicade. Although I still have some other symptoms left, I can say that the sores are luckily gone. I'm not sure why they are gone but I'm happy. Your right, the ones on the side of the tongue really hurt, and made enjoying meals difficult. I always had luck with the over the counter numbing medicines for canker sores. They still hung around way too long though, either with or without the medicine.

I have had painful mouth sores for years. Yes they are auto-immune in nature so immune suppressants (Remicade, steroids, etc.) will help reduce or prevent them. I've tried sooo many things as I have had 50 at once. Once I knew they were NOT herpes viruses (yes, herpes/cold sores can appear in the mouth but will flare in the same place each time) I tried...

Lysine, Tagamet (something about the immune mediation was supposed to help?), various vitamins, and changing mouthwashes and toothpaste to things without laurel sulphates.

The only thing I found to work was a magic mouthwash (by prescription). This particular script is a combo of antacid/diphenhydramine/lidocain. The antacid reduces mouth acid and coats. The diphenhydramine (Benadryl) reduces the immune response. And the Lidocain numbs things so you can eat/talk like a normal person.

Last time I suffered a bad break out, my doctor threatened to put me on a short course of steroids. I declined that one as I'm trying to avoid steroids like the plaque. I might end up on another immune suppressants in the future, but it's for more than just the canker sores.

Oh, I also noticed that I would sometimes get them triggered by certain fruits. In particular, cherries gave me a huge breakout. There's something called "oral allergy syndrome" in which a person who is allergic to a weed/pollen/etc. will react to a chemically similar fruit. I think eating the fruit would sometimes trigger the immune response (burning in my mouth) which in turn triggered the canker sores to form, but I'm just theorizing out of my league here.

I have to deal with canker sores as well. I really don't have a good solution how to prevent them. I use an antiseptic mouthwash when I feel they are starting again. Otherwise, I use cough drops which numb the pain

I have always had canker sores from time to time, but they got much worse around the time I was diagnosed with UC. My GI confirmed that they surely can be caused by UC. I've had up to 15 at once...but even with fewer than that, it can make it super painful to talk, eat or move any part of my mouth. My dentist prescribed some Triamcinolone 0.1 percent (Kenalog in Orabase), which is an anti-inflammatory paste you put right on the sores. It helps heal them and puts a protective coating over them...though it can be tough to work with and feels a little weird. He also mentioned the Magic Moutwash, which I will likely ask for a prescription for the next time I see him.

And just an FYI...canker sores are one of the extraintestinal symptoms of UC that does not go away with surgery. I've been sans colon for nearly a year now, but still struggle with them, have 5 right now.

Ugh I get them too. I had them really bad when I was on methotrexate. My doctor gave me the magic mouthwash. I would put some on a q-tip and gently rub on the sores. Certain foods also cause them for me (pineapple, acidic stuff, etc).

"Magic Mouthwash" just refers to the base. There are alot of different concoctions. It can be used for fungal infections and bacterial infections as well (with the addition of anti-fungal or anti-bacterials). The formula I received for canker sores is the one I posted above (antacid, diphenhydramine, lidocaine).

Thanks for the suggestion hateuc! I will be sure to let you know:)

An old woman told me that folic acid gets rid of them.
I first tried it about 10 years ago. I take about 2000 mcg and they start to go away immediately. Before that I could have them for days or even weeks. Though I have to admit that I haven't gotten any for a long long time so I haven't tried folic acid for canker sores since my UC diagnosis.

Seaskyline- I have also heard about folic acid, it's worth a try anyway. Or maybe just a multivitamin that contains I high amount of folic acid. I have also read deficiencies in zinc, iron and vit B-12 can lead to reoccurring canker sores.

hateuc- I will be sure to do that. I actually just started a sls free toothpaste last week, hoping that helps as well. Thanks again for the help.

I have not had one since I've been on Remicade.