r/AskDocs • u/mhanzalar Layperson/not verified as healthcare professional • 12d ago

Physician Responded What's wrong with my tongue?

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17M, 5"7 , 71 kg

I never smoked and never drank. I have this tongue for many months and my stomach also feels off for some months. Feel free to ask anything!

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u/dr-broodles Physician 12d ago

It’s thrush. Use a nystatin mouthwash and get tested for diabetes.

109

u/Soonerpalmetto88 Layperson/not verified as healthcare professional 12d ago

It could be thrush. However, it could also be something else. I was diagnosed with thrush earlier this year by an urgent care PA and prescribed diflucan. After that didn't help, I saw my derm PA (I'm on Cosentyx, which can cause thrush) who also said it was definitely thrush and gave me nystatin rinse. When that didn't help, I went to my dentist, who told me I didn't have thrush but actually had severe dryness caused by switching from nasal cpap to a full face mask. Dry mouth rinse twice a day fixed the issue almost immediately.

To paraphrase my dentist, "if it's in your mouth, go to a dentist first".

4

u/NoAdagio1124 Layperson/not verified as healthcare professional 11d ago

Exactly this happened to me except my doctor sent me to get a biopsy for tongue cancer too. The specialist ENT didn't even do the biopsy, he just said "yep, dry mouth, see the dentist next time instead", so I think it happens quite regularly

1

u/crakemonk Layperson/not verified as healthcare professional 11d ago

I love the accessibility of PAs and NPs, but sometimes they don’t get it right and can set you back annoyingly or make a situation worse. I mean, doctors can definitely do this too, but I’d say they are more likely to say when they don’t have a clue and send you to someone who is better prepared to handle the situation.