Minty taste/smell?? Am I going insane?

ya-the crazy look-or sometimes interested look- from drs-the worse part is I explained a lot of wierdness to 1 dr as she kept asking me questions-no help-just a big bill for her time-im sick of them.I am very interested in cytochrome P450.for example-caffeine/coffee is a substrate of CYP1A2-it uses it to exit our bodys-to break it down.It does not exit me well-i love it-until it wont leave.I had a wierd reaction from a BP med-propranolol--it wouldnt leave either-half my face was going numb-like a stroke-my lip etc.I stopped the med-the effect finally left--until i drank some coffee-decaf-then the numbness returned-see what I mean?now that all just happened to me--now my-throat voice is affected.i even had a reaction to herbal tea i usually drink-throat dry and tight.my nose has been running a lot too.So you think your PPI made it happen?I forget what-but I had some bad reaction to those.anyways-im about to mail a guy whos done research on p450--
-there is this thing called a HGM-heterotopic gastric mucosa-gastric inlet pouch-i read its like having an xtra stomach in the throatand can only be seen with a narrow band imaging endoscope from an expert--another possibility of this wierdness

Hi stylusman,

Welcome to Healing Well!  I wish I had an answer for you, but I don't.  I know it happens, because I've been around the forum for about four years and every so often it becomes a topic of very frustrated discussion.  I've done my own online search and it only brings me to forums like these.

If you ever get an answer from a GI doc or PCP, please be sure to post it here.  Hopefully someone will be by soon who can provide you with more information.  Fortunately, I haven't had this experience, but there have been members searching for the same answers you are.

Glad you've joined us.

Good luck in your quest!

Denise

Hi, I posted on here before with possible answers. Unfortunately none of them worked for me this time. I have had the sensation/taste for over 2 months this time. I had a wisdom tooth removed in case there was an abscess.This did nothing. I took medication for oral thrush, nothing. I had bloods and a throat swab done and they showed nothing. The doctor recommended Vitamin B1 tablets for nerves on the tongue. I have been on them a week and they did calm it a little. I took 1 twice a day and a Vitamin B complex once a day. I began searching the net again and came across 'Burning Mouth Syndrome'. This reads exactly what I have had. I will post a couple of links at the bottom. Today I can feel a real difference. Not cleared yet but very much improved. What I have done is: stopped using my toothpaste which had the ingredient (sodium lauryl sulfate) and used Baking Soda instead as toothpaste and also as a mouthwash. I have started probiotics (Udo's Super 8). I bought chewing gum with Xylitol in it from the health shop. This is definitely doing something to calm my mouth. I really hope this helps someone.

http://curebms.blogspot.co.uk/

http://www.yourdentistryguide.com/burning-mouth/

I started to have this same minty sensation on my tongue, back of my throat and in my lungs about 3 months ago. This started after I had my car worked on at the dealership and thought that somehow some solvent or engine fume was getting into the cabin and I was breathing it in. I had the carpets and upholstery steam cleaned as well as the engine and replaced the cabin filter but my symptoms continued and were getting worse. If I had a long drive I would almost feel like I was getting the flu and my throat would get sore but would clear up after a few hours at home. In desperation I thought the only solution would be to get a different car and sadly traded in my car and leased another one. Thinking this would surely solve my problems, I found that unfortunately I began to have the very same symptoms in the new car and they were even more intense.

After reading these posts I see that for others that dental work, stress and coffee have triggered their sensations. When this all started I was under a lot of stress, working on my thesis in grad school, drinking tons of coffee to stay awake to get my classwork done and working at my job too. I also had some dental work done around the same time which may have triggered the whole thing. I contacted a biomedical dentist who carefully removes amalgams so the patient does not breath in any of the mercury or nickle fumes. He told me about how root canals cause a lot of health problems due to the tooth being dead and the body dealing with low level inflammation over the years. I googled and found an article here about this, not that I believe everything online but I thought it was plausible. http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2012/02/18/dangers-of-root-canaled-teeth.aspx

One other thing - I have these sensations during the day, and they go completely away over night. I wake up and feel fine. But after a few coughs in the morning or a trip in the car this starts all over and I am miserable all day with this. This also has affected my ears as if I'm getting an ear infection - my ears ring sometimes and I feel like they need to "pop" similar to when I'm in an airplane, but this comes and goes. So annoying and frustrating!

JaredK and famousamos

Welcome to Healing Well.

Jared- Talk with your parents about this and see your doctor. You may need to get into a GI doctor for this, but please discuss this with your parents.

Please start a new thread and introduce yourself to the members. You will also get more responses with a new thread than an older one such as this.

Take care,
Bill

I just joined in hopes to find some answers or solutions to my
"Burning Mouth Syndrome" (BMS)
I first noticed it approximately Two Yrs. ago.
I got a burny feeling in my mouth along with feeling stomach sick... tired...
I don't remember how long it lasted but wasn't that long if I remember correctly.
Then it came back! I went and seen a Doctor and he said it sounds like an infection inside my mouth. In which case he gave me an Antibiotic for Ten Days. After taking the medication, it once again went away!!
Then it came back AGAIN!!!! This time I had a fever with it along with being tired and stomach sick and the burning from Throat up and my blood pressure was up a little!
Back to the Doctor.
Again gave me the same Antibiotic but after just a couple days, I felt worse instead of better.
FIVE times I was back and forth and in the end I was told it may be "Stomach Related".
I had my stomach medications switched around and hey, whadda ya know, it went away.
Hmmm, only for a few weeks and now though, IT IS BACK AGAIN!
I am ready to tear out my hair and everyone else's as well!!!!!!
I have burning in my Mouth, Lips, Tongue, Gums, Throat, Eyes. 
At times, scents are stronger. Sometimes I smell things that are not ever present. At times I have a metalic taste in my mouth. 
I also have a Cool Senstion which goes down my arms (from my elbows down to my finger tips) not often but a few times this has happened.
I would just like to know what the cause is and what can I do to control it or STOP it all together!
ANY ANSWERS would be APPRECIATED BIG TIME.

Thank You Kindly
(((Hugs)))

Hi everybody,

I would like to share my experience and thoughts about this topic with you. Sadly, I have no answers but I'm hopeful we can find the one thing we all have in common.

The symptoms are a fresh breath (no real taste) or burning sensation on my tongue, throat and the top of my gum (as if you chewed some tasteless ginger). Occasionally, I can feel it in my respiratory system, that is chest. However, I also started developing intense heartburn at times. I went to see a doctor this Monday as I was developing a slight fever and had a panic attack on Sunday. I also felt dizzy and was close to puking. My stomach feels bloated and I had irregular to no stool. I feel nausea and weakness throughout my body. At times, my limbs start numbing or get a little stiff.

He gave me PPI (Lansoprazole), Transamin (anti-inflammatory agent), Flomox (anti-bacterial agent for mouth, respiratory and throat infections) and Ibuprofen. So far, only the fever is gone. All the other symptoms remain, especially the weird feeling in my mouth. I can't help but think, sometimes, it is affecting my nose, too. Not the nostrils but the area were mucous and saliva mix. It kinda feels like a running nose (in the back of my throat) while nothing is, in fact, "running".

It started about three weeks ago, gradually getting worse. At first, I though it is a side effect of the nasal decongestant called "BENZEDREX" which blasts Propylhexedrine along with lavender oil and menthol into your system. After the developing stomach issues though, I am not sure any more (can still think of an allergic reaction though). Then I was convinced it is acid reflux after reading a couple forums. Now that I have been on PPI and nothing changed, I am back to square 1.

Regarding my living conditions it is fair to say I am under a lot of stress. Three months ago, I moved to Japan. My personality tends to get angry a lot over what other people call nothing. This hasn't changed. My workplace is under constant AC and it is worth mentioning that they are complete @!"°§"§&%.

Also, I had dental issues in June this year. I had a deep cavity that did affect the root. Dentist said I got away with a regular filling and didn't need canal treatment but could experience side effects of it in the future.

Also, I had one of my Tatami mats replaced because it developed a mold due to the extreme humidity here during summer.

My diet is not really good but not too nasty either. I do eat veggies and fruits and not bags of chips and coke either. I am otherwise regular sized and healthy at the age of 30 years.

As most people here, I cannot determine what is actually causing these symptoms. I am not even sure how many infections I suffer from, at the same time to even be able to determine that. It is hard for me to accept that this condition will remain or even get worse.

I think everybody responding to this thread should state if and when they had nasal, dental, abdomen or other respiratory issues.

In short:

Close to root dental treatment 5 months ago (June 2013)
Slight cold three weeks ago (October 2013)
Stomach issues and heartburn this week (October 2013)
Constant stress.

Post Edited (Logan5) : 10/31/2013 7:06:52 AM (GMT-6)

I have found out what my problem was and a solution, too.


After the symptoms didn't decrease I went to the hospital to see a gastroenterologist. He performed a gastroscopy, ultrasound and got the bloodwork, too.

Turns out I am suffering from what is called an oesophageal hernia, that is the lid that separates stomach and oesophagus has a hole, which was literally "eaten" by acid. High acids are also attacking the gastric mucosa. Hence, the chronic, ever so slight tingling in the mouth, minty taste, heartburn and general discomfort.

I read up on it a little, if not treated can lead to ulcers or cancer. So, whoever is suffering from the same symptoms, I suggest you have it checked out with at least the gastroscopy (fiber optic down your throat) to get it diagnosed and treated (with PPI), or, at least, rule it out.

Cheers

Post Edited (Logan5) : 12/4/2013 6:27:53 PM (GMT-7)

I just started having this issue myself for a few weeks, I am kinda glad im not alone I feel like I am going insane with it. im 48 years old never been really sick other than an occasion bout with colds.
have had issues all my life with bowel problems and thought it was time to have them checked out, so I went and colonoscopy done and I finally after about 18 years decided to get a doctor just incase , and I been having issues with back as well so I went to chiropractor.

first of all I was pretty healthy

now I feel like I am falling apart lol


colonoscopy came back pretty good only thing wrong they found was diverticulis which they say is caused by untreated ibs

chiropractor said I had a few disc rubbing together from c-3 to c-7
in my neck
so he cracked my back

then went to the dr for first time ever

and he did all kinds of blood work
and chest xray because I smoke

as far as I know only thing he found wrong was I have high chlorestolbut it has been the same since I was in my 20's not any higher or any lower

and I have high trigliserides

which if I had regular bowel movements would help since that is how your body gets rid of trigliserides

and being that I smoke and I was having issues breathing dr gave me a pneumonia shot

(now remember I said I went to chiropractor first before dr)


after the shot went out to eat with my mom next day for her birthday, took a bite of food had major hot flash went out side and walked around till I cooled off. mind you it was about 30 degrees outside and I was only in a shirt.

then I next few weeks my chest hurt like crazy it would burn and I would get chills like crazy . would put on 2 sweaters two heavy robes and cover up with a quilt.

this has sent me to er twice and the make me feel like im crazy

1st time I went was after driving in car with hubby was looking out the window and my right shoulder started to hurt then my arm then my leg, it traveled down my right side ( after my first visit from the chiropractor that morning)

then my heart started to race and breathing issues

went to er thinking heart problem

they did tests said I was fine
blamed it on a panick attack

which I am not or have been prone too

but with age who knows anymore

so on my first visit to dr visit told him about it he did some tests and gave me the pneumonia shot.
next day I went to mid day dinner with my mom and had the hotflash and walked in cold

and then next day again went to chiropractor and this time it hurt

then went back again for next treatment ( times in same week) this time it really hurt so I put some biofreeze on my sore spots which included the muscles in my chest.

then my chest started to burn and thought it was from pneumonia shot since I was freezing a lot and my chest aand lungs and nose had the minty taste and feel to them
I have never had pnemona before so don't know what its like
like I said never really been sick
cold never lasted long than a few days and flu I usually get sick feel better next day
sometimes not to long after I throw up
which has only been less than a handful of tomes in my life
it had to usually go around twice for me to catch it

then dr told me that he got report from hospital and the had did a small cat scan said they had found some copd
so dr sent me to get chest exray and did a blood test to rule out lung cancer
not gotten those results back I go to day for it
but on my last visit to dr he put me on crestor, 4grams fish oil, clariton for allegories.

I was for over 2 weeks
very dizzy
my nose which is always moist is now dryer than the Nevada desert in summer time
so are my eyes and throat
I feel like I am gagging on something all the time
it is mainly on my left side of throat
and in my esophagush my ears and head feel like they are going to blow because of pressure
but even if there is something in there its to dry to get out
I have thick mucus in throat I cant move at all not even with musinex

I went to ears nose and throat dr
he just looked in with a light said he didn't see anything

but gave me some methylpredisone

and of course I am a very high strung person when comes to pills
I read up on it and it says do not take if you have any infections that aren't being treated
because it can cause your body not to be able to fight them off
so I haven't taken it yet

and then comes next er trip
that er dr gave me a breathing treatment and a antibiotic
and he checked my sinuses doing the tapping on them and in places found some sore spots
is why he gave the antibiotoic
but is funny to me that ears nose and throat dr didn't even do that

when I was younger I had a bout with clogged sinuses and my dr back then gave me a pill that opened them up and let them drain, I told ent dr and he hadn't a clue to what I was talking about.

and all this time I been having the issues with minty taste in mouth
and its very uncomfortable between that and feeling like I am gagging on something

I am getting worried they not goingto find the problem
im not crazy
and I am not a hypercondriac
like I said been over 18 years since I have been to dr
so its not being hypercondriac

I know something is wrong just don't know what
haven't been able to figure out what
pain travels so it might end up in foot and be from finger lol
all I know is I have either numbness in face or it feels like its swollen
head tingles
ears hurt like ear ache or infection
head feels like someone hit me upside the head and no one has hit me

my sinus ducts hurt like infection or clogged
my neck and shoulders are very stiff my neck don't want to sit right

my throat feels like it is clogged like the drain in bathroom sink gets is closest example I can think of
I hear crackling in sinus area and mouth and I think in throat
sometimes sound travels as well lol
and I get the minty menthol taste which I hate menthol
which at first I thought it was from me putting biofreeze on my chest area
well not all over it just the sore muscles atleast I think they are muscles
and yesterday I went to the chiropractor and told him how bad I hurt after last time he cracked me
and he took a look and said there is a lot of swelling and inflammation in there
specially to my right side
I wish I knew how to put this all down for the doctor to understand
I don't know if the chiropractor messed up bad
or if something else going on
my jaw pops has for some years
I never had heart burn a lot except last month of pregnancy with my daughter
im tired all the time now
but I cant sleep well
I try to lay down and as I start to drift off to sleep my muscles twitch and wake me up
and it does this a few timed till it drives me crazy and wakes me wide up then I just get up
I know I have circulation problems all my life because hands and feet ever since I was very young get cold and tingly
but what gets me most is
before the colonoscopy I was fine
sure my cholesterol was a little high I weigh 140 my ideal weight is about 135 for my height so I am alittle over weight
and in the last month only went to bathroom 2 times so my problem with bowels are still not fixed
I called the colonoscopy dr office about that and lady told me I was lying
come out and told me
she was like you would be in hospital if that was the case
I thought that is why I am calling
so I drank prune juice and then couldn't stop going lol 8 times in one night
and that was like a week ago or a week and a half ago
and I am thinking that I am maybe backed up and causing the acid reflex
which might be giving off the minty taste
I just wish someone could help me find any answers

it could be one problem or a few different ones acting up
any helpful suggestions would help

I completely understand what you are going through. I am not getting answers either. I thought the minty mouth was from getting the heavy IV antibiotics and the continue of taking them once I was home from hospital, then thought maybe I had caught some type of lung infection, but nope...then thought maybe from the priolec given for heartburn/gerd...nope, not that either...so you may have a point in stating if not moving your bowels enough could that stir up something..I've been thru a zpac and antibiotics thinking maybe thrush from too many antibiotics and nope, that didn't help either, still the feeling like I just ate a mint...no other symptoms other than I know this may sound gross but I have no boogies in my nose and when I blow my nose nothing comes out..I will be going to the doctors and when and if I find out I'll post...it is driving me crazy, I wish you well!

I would love a minty taste ;) I've got a horrible Metallic taste which I now seem to get every two to three weeks for a few days - I have recently been on increased Omeprazole dose ( 40mg)so have put it down to that. Anyone else?

Sorry to bring back such an old post but I'm getting this too now - a minty and/or sweet taste/smell with a cold feeling on my tongue, in my mouth and even in my nose and throat.

It started a few weeks ago but was only sweet rather than minty. All the water in the world doesn't wash it away, and of course it's worse after burping.

Hoping here is some answer to this, even though it's a old thread... I also have this minty/ menthol taste in my mouth, but it's more than just in my mouth... it is in my sinuses... I FEEL it more than taste it. Yes, it could be a worse flavor, but it's annoying and very troubling...
I do not have any type of acid reflux issues or anything like that. . In fact, when I was reading the prior posts and someone said perhaps it's from your toothpaste I realized that (as gross as this sounds) I slept over at a friends last night and didn't brush my teeth this morning... and it's worse today than it was any other day.

The first I noticed this sensation was over a year ago, I had started taking wellbutrin for depression. I had started this drug a few times before and each time had noticed an odd taste in my mouth... so when it was a menthol FEELING, I wasn't too surprised. ... but was happy that it wasn't one of the other, more gross tastes that I had experienced before.

Now in the last few months I've noticed this taste/feeling coming back again and I've been OFF wellbutrin for a long time now... so it can't be that.

Which is why I'm concerned again....

We can't all have this same sensation and NONE of us found a doctor that's even heard of such a thing....

.. any answers out there yet?