Open main menu ☰
HealingWell
Search Close Search
Health Conditions
Allergies Alzheimer's Disease Anxiety & Panic Disorders Arthritis Breast Cancer Chronic Illness Crohn's Disease Depression Diabetes
Fibromyalgia GERD & Acid Reflux Irritable Bowel Syndrome Lupus Lyme Disease Migraine Headache Multiple Sclerosis Prostate Cancer Ulcerative Colitis

View Conditions A to Z »
Support Forums
Anxiety & Panic Disorders Bipolar Disorder Breast Cancer Chronic Pain Crohn's Disease Depression Diabetes Fibromyalgia GERD & Acid Reflux
Hepatitis Irritable Bowel Syndrome Lupus Lyme Disease Multiple Sclerosis Ostomies Prostate Cancer Rheumatoid Arthritis Ulcerative Colitis

View Forums A to Z »
Log In
Join Us
Close main menu ×
  • Home
  • Health Conditions
    • All Conditions
    • Allergies
    • Alzheimer's Disease
    • Anxiety & Panic Disorders
    • Arthritis
    • Breast Cancer
    • Chronic Illness
    • Crohn's Disease
    • Depression
    • Diabetes
    • Fibromyalgia
    • GERD & Acid Reflux
    • Irritable Bowel Syndrome
    • Lupus
    • Lyme Disease
    • Migraine Headache
    • Multiple Sclerosis
    • Prostate Cancer
    • Ulcerative Colitis
  • Support Forums
    • All Forums
    • Anxiety & Panic Disorders
    • Bipolar Disorder
    • Breast Cancer
    • Chronic Pain
    • Crohn's Disease
    • Depression
    • Diabetes
    • Fibromyalgia
    • GERD & Acid Reflux
    • Hepatitis
    • Irritable Bowel Syndrome
    • Lupus
    • Lyme Disease
    • Multiple Sclerosis
    • Ostomies
    • Prostate Cancer
    • Rheumatoid Arthritis
    • Ulcerative Colitis
  • Log In
  • Join Us
Join Us
☰
Forum Home| Forum Rules| Moderators| Active Topics| Help| Log In

Minty taste/smell?? Am I going insane?

Support Forums
>
GERD & Acid Reflux
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
1 23 4 5
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
profile picture
lanab
Regular Member
Joined : Nov 2011
Posts : 136
Posted 1/11/2012 10:08 AM (GMT -7)

Angry_Kitty said...
Thank you, I shall stick around for a while definitely!

I haven't been taking tums for a long time, not sure about the toothpaste: sometimes it happens during the day, quite a while after having brushed teeth.

Can you have reflux without feeling/knowing it?

Yep and it's called silent refux
profile picture
Philorth
New Member
Joined : Jan 2012
Posts : 8
Posted 1/11/2012 10:55 AM (GMT -7)
Thank you Kitt for your kind welcome.

Yes...it does sound like the implants are the source of the strange taste. I find it interesting though, that so many other people have this problem who do not mention they also have had dental implants, so there must be another cause! I just wish I knew what it was.

regards
Philomena
profile picture
Jessi h
New Member
Joined : Jan 2012
Posts : 2
Posted 1/14/2012 10:56 PM (GMT -7)
I also just started having this mint taste/feeling. I've had heartburn for several weeks and a panic attack about a week ago.....both seem to be similarities I've read about with others on "better medicine". If anyone finds a cause/solution please share.
profile picture
Philorth
New Member
Joined : Jan 2012
Posts : 8
Posted 1/18/2012 11:45 AM (GMT -7)
Well, I had to come back on to say I tried a sinus flush and it seems to have worked for the moment. The taste has not quite gone but is a LOT better. So perhaps in my case it is post nasal drip? Yuk. So I just used an old squeezable bottle with a long nozzle (supermarket hair dye bottle, well rinsed) and cut the nozzle off close to the base so it was very short. I rinsed it with boiling water then made a saline solution with partly cooled boiled water, salt and bicarb of soda, stood over the bathroom sink and squeezed it up one nostril... and it came straight down the other! Wasn't even as gross as it sounds, and nothing but water (apparently!) came out. I feel great now - although I am not sure if it has gone completely, the tip of my tongue still feels a bit odd, but that all pervading, ever present chemical/ menthol taste has gone.
If you are unsure you should always check with your doc, and do it gently to avoid injury.

I hope this can be of help to someone.
profile picture
Philorth
New Member
Joined : Jan 2012
Posts : 8
Posted 1/18/2012 11:52 AM (GMT -7)

Carly18 said...
I have had this for over 2 years. When it started it lasted for months before I got rid of it. Now it comes and goes. My doctor, like most of your's, told me she hadn't ever heard of this. The first thing they all say is acid reflux. Mine goes into my sinuses and into my eyes. I think it comes from stress, or stress plays a part. When I get stressed I feel this coming on. The burning mouth syndrome is what doctors have told me this might be but what I've read about that is your mouth actually feels like you have been burned, mine don't. Does anyone feel burning like sunburn on the surface of their skin also with this? I get that too. The only thing I find helps me with this taste is vinegar, baking soda mixed with warm water. After I take that for a few days the taste goes away.


Carly - yours is the post I identify most with. I thought it was Burning Mouth syndrome, but mine didn't feel like 'burning' either. Just an awful, chemically, menthol, bitter taste. Some days it was minty/menthol and not too bad, other days it was like bitter aloe - just revolting, like the chemical taste of those awful Corodyl mouthwashes that hang around in your mouth for ages. Just vile. Also I had tingling and weirdness on all the soft tissues of the mouth - my lips, inside and out. Mine was also in my sinus and eyes - like menthol vapours rising and stinging my eyeballs, AND YES, that awful feeling on my skin. Cold, and cool like you had rubbed in menthol muscle rub - and yet also 'burny' like a sunburn. It was all over my body, but mostly on the backs of my hands and face. (Like nerve damage?) I found baking soda nasal flush helped enormously (see previous post.) and have been doing your vinegar/soda rinse too. Quite how these symptoms can be all related to simple sinus problems is beyond me, but we both know we are not imagining it.

Post Edited (Philorth) : 1/18/2012 12:07:11 PM (GMT-7)

profile picture
libra1019
Regular Member
Joined : Jan 2012
Posts : 32
Posted 1/18/2012 3:24 PM (GMT -7)
Hi. I noticed this is an old thread but I would like to jump in the wagon to tell about my personal experience!

This thread put a smile on my face because it proved to me that I am not crazy in my head! smilewinkgrin I mentioned this thing one time to my doc, she just gave me a shrug. Looking back at my symptoms journals, I see that I have this sensation for over 5yrs now, on occasions.

I don't get the minty taste or smell but the sensation you would feel after eating a menthol candy or any stuff that is menthol flavored! (I don't eat menthol flavored food). When I have this sensation, it always begin in the nostrils, eyes, mouth, and then all-over my body I would feel so cool! There was an instance that I felt like my jeans were wet because when it brushed against my skin, it felt so cool!

I still get it from time to time. My theory is that it is acid fumes coming out of our body??? Some people would feel warmth, others like me would be the coolness, minty feeling!

Well, i don't really know! I hope we get an answer from the med professionals!

 

profile picture
Jessi h
New Member
Joined : Jan 2012
Posts : 2
Posted 1/18/2012 6:20 PM (GMT -7)
Hey all....just an FYI I've been on acid reflux rx mess and the taste is almost gone in one weeks time. I'm also getting tested for a bacteria in my stomach. I'll update if it's a yes
profile picture
opnwhl4
Veteran Member
Joined : Dec 2008
Posts : 4961
Posted 1/18/2012 6:49 PM (GMT -7)
I had this same sensation when my wrap was destroyed from the repair of my esophagus. It went away when I got my redo in August. I am sure that the acid vapors can make their way into the sinuses and wreak havoc.

Bill
profile picture
Philorth
New Member
Joined : Jan 2012
Posts : 8
Posted 1/19/2012 2:28 AM (GMT -7)
Bill, please can you tell me what a 'wrap' is?
many thanks!
profile picture
Philorth
New Member
Joined : Jan 2012
Posts : 8
Posted 1/19/2012 1:21 PM (GMT -7)
Well, I have now found that strange tastes and sensations, like the coolness on the skin can actually be caused by nerve damage. They can also be 'aura's' which can precede migraines. So I am not actually feeling the sensation or tasting the taste, but am being fooled into thinking I am by the brain. This explains why the 'taste' I have changes all the time.

Unfortunately today, after my triumphant sinus wash out I am back to square one with the strong peppermint taste. I also have the cool sensation all over my body and especially the back of my head. It's like a 'cold sunburn', or that tingly sore feeling at the start of flu when your skin hurts. its like all the nerve endings are jangling. I think I probably have trigeminal nerve damage from the implant. At least I hope it is a simple as that. Reading the internet is scary - I hope it is nothing more sinister.

Post Edited (Philorth) : 1/19/2012 1:24:58 PM (GMT-7)

profile picture
Philorth
New Member
Joined : Jan 2012
Posts : 8
Posted 2/2/2012 6:40 AM (GMT -7)
I am back in the hope that someone else out there has any idea what this could be. I am still really struggling with this after a month of symptoms.

Still getting the odd sensations and taste which I am aware of as soon as I wake up. It is NOT a 'morning mouth' taste, definitely a chemical/mint taste. (Even that doesn't describe it properly. its sort of like when you get some chemical substance on your tongue at the dentist, or a horrible medicine. It leaves a tingling, almost numb sensation in your mouth. It's almost like that. It just tastes wrong - like poison) Anyway it is not too bad until I eat or drink and then the taste is very strong for a while. Cold, menthol sensation in the nose, roof of the mouth, gums, throat. Stinging eyes like menthol vapour.

I have been to the doctor who thinks it is sinus, and have taken a course of Amox in case it is sinus infection. Has not done a thing to help.
Am still rinsing with Neilmed bottle and saline. Only helps for a while (replaces the 'taste' with the taste of salt and soda until it wears off!)
Inside nostrils and end of nose really tingles at times.

Edit: Forgot to mention I sometimes get a very distinct acrid burning/stale tobacco taste at the back of my throat as well! I stopped smoking ten years ago, but I can remember that taste.

What the heck is going on?

This is driving me INSANE.

Post Edited (Philorth) : 2/2/2012 6:45:06 AM (GMT-7)

profile picture
paulhouston
New Member
Joined : Feb 2012
Posts : 1
Posted 2/6/2012 6:32 PM (GMT -7)
I to have this menthol thing happening. I'm 43. Don't smoke good teeth and all around good health. Its been going on for about a month. Last week my eyes kept watering like I had viks vapor rub on. Don't know if this has anything tto do with it. I was cutting 8 weeks ago and ended up in the hospital 3 hnp in my lumber back. Def strange menthol thing going on. I'm some relieved that at least others feel this. Cmon with the answer please
profile picture
Philorth
New Member
Joined : Jan 2012
Posts : 8
Posted 2/13/2012 3:09 PM (GMT -7)
Well, I have now been to see an oral pathologist, as I could not stand it any more. He has informed me that my symptoms are indicative of a trigeminal or glossopharyngeal neuralgia, cause by irritation to the main nerves, usually the cranial or vagus nerve. Mine has manifested as altered taste, tingling face, nose, throat, and menthol sensations including the eyes. He asked if I had damaged my jaw recently, and we discussed my dental implants as a cause although he does not think they are the cause. I did have a mild upper spinal injury a few months ago. These symptoms can also present as a result of damage to the nerves further down the spine - so anyone with a back injury might experience this. It is usually self limiting.
I have been referred to a neurologist for further testing and treatment.

Think back to if you have somehow irritated or damaged the nerves in your jaw, neck and spine.

Post Edited (Philorth) : 2/13/2012 3:14:33 PM (GMT-7)

profile picture
gummivenus
New Member
Joined : Jan 2012
Posts : 3
Posted 2/26/2012 10:53 PM (GMT -7)
Hi Everyone!

I too am a sufferer of this symptom seeking answers.  After feeling it for months, I finally decided (cleverly, I thought) to call it "menthol sensation".  Just today I tried googling that and found this thread where not only were other people feeling what I was, they had given it the same name!

I don't have a 'taste' at all, just a feeling.  It's as though I've just swallowed a strong mint and every time I inhale, I can feel that disctinctly 'cool' sensation in the back of my throat.

Interestingly, my doctor's been treating me for low stomach acidity due to another medical condition (pyrroluria induced hypochlorhydria) I have so it seemed a bit counter-intuitive when she suggested antacids!  My mother has GERD/GORD though, so it could be a combination.

I'm also experiencing nausea, irregular stools, abdominal pain and a sensation that food is regurgitating up my throat, even on an empty stomach.  I never have heartburn.

I'm currently trialling 4 brands of antacids (all PPIs) hopefully one of them will ease this feeling.

I'd love to know if anyone else comes up with an answer!

profile picture
DRD
New Member
Joined : May 2012
Posts : 2
Posted 5/31/2012 5:10 AM (GMT -7)
i too have this menthol taste in mouth and fels like it comes from left sinuse in back of mouth.....am not seeing any answers here though
profile picture
gummivenus
New Member
Joined : Jan 2012
Posts : 3
Posted 5/31/2012 6:00 AM (GMT -7)
Look into Silent Reflux (laryngopharyngeal reflux).  This is what my doctor believes I have.  We are treating it with medication but the best solution so far has been eating smaller meals and avoiding rich foods like chilli and tomato sauces.
profile picture
daddy or chips
New Member
Joined : Jun 2012
Posts : 1
Posted 6/15/2012 2:08 PM (GMT -7)
Hi Im new to this forum, but i came across it by googling 'menthol vapour in eyes' and it brought me here! For the past 2 weeks I have had this awful bitter taste that I could only describe as the taste of chewing on orange zest and the smell of when an orange is peeled and it sprays that really zingy juice that you inhale and it irritates your nose. I went to my GP to ask if he knew what it could be as it is really getting on my nerves, im sick of everything tasting of 'oranges'. Over the past few days it has develped more into a menthol taste and i can definately feel menthol vapours actually coming out of my eyes! My nose is clear because of the menthol, its like chewing on one of those airwave chewing gums that really clear your nose up and make you inhale really clearly. There is still this bitterness though as well so its really odd. Basically my GP had no idea, looked at me like I was off my rocker and told me to get used to the taste. I left with a prescription for a mouthwash which I did think I would try but it only helped to numb my mouth then taste even more awful as all the weird tastes blended together.
I have suffered with heartburn before but never needed to take PPIs or anything, just a swig of gaviscon and its usually sorted. I havent had anything like that with this so I was pretty certain it was nothing to do with that. Coincidentally or not though I have noticed I have just had a wisdom tooth start to pop through at the top. Could this have anything to do with it or is it pure coincidence? Since reading this forum, i know im not off my rocker and this is real. Ive started to get this coolness on my skin too, i keep thinking im cold so i get my cardigan and realise my skin is actually quite warm. As i write this the end of my nose is freezing with the cool menthol im breathing. Im booked in at the dentist on wednesday to have my wisdom tooth checked out so im going to ask about this and see what he says. if that fails i'll try my gp again and request a referral if he still thinks im bonkers.
I dont take any medication at all, i have no other medical problems at all, im 32 fit and healthy apart from this. i have been stressed this week though with an ill toddler and trying to finish off a load of work before I start a new job on monday so maybe this does relate to GERD as it seems llinked to the stress, as my stress went up the taste developed and changed and has progressively got worse. Ive never heard of silent reflux before so thats my next bit of research to see what i can do about it in case that is it. This is awful and nobody can understand it as nobody can relate to it...apart from you guys!
profile picture
Incognito
Regular Member
Joined : Jun 2012
Posts : 45
Posted 6/15/2012 2:30 PM (GMT -7)
while a bitter taste in mouth can indicate gerd, I dont think it would be your only symptom. Have you been checked for some fungal infections? I had one once in my gums and it also caused an unpleasant taste for me.
profile picture
mvca57
New Member
Joined : Jul 2012
Posts : 1
Posted 7/17/2012 10:55 AM (GMT -7)
I too googled minty taste in mouth because i have been having this now for several days. i have been having strange bowel movements for over a month and am going to submit stool sample soon. I am convinced this stool weirdness and the minty taste are related. why is it no doctor has heard of this? does anyone have any updates. i have no other symptoms, no acid reflux, no stomach pain or indigestion.
profile picture
chsd00
New Member
Joined : Sep 2012
Posts : 2
Posted 9/6/2012 1:05 PM (GMT -7)
Hi, I have been having this complaint on and off for a couple of years.
The first time was after a bad cold and I thought it was menthol lozenges after getting into my sinuses or something. It did fade after about a month.
The next time was after another dose but this time I found it went after I had an Indian curry that was quite hot for me. It seemed to just burn it out of my mouth.
The third time was after another illness, think it was strep throat this time. I noticed after a few weeks that I had a swelling on my pallet towards the front, just behind my teeth. It felt smooth when I ran my tongue over it. One night it just burst and instantly the menthol taste went.
This time it happened again after being sick, very weird dose of nausea and flu like symptoms. I got Dentyl Active mouthwash and after about four days it went. That was about 2 weeks ago and now I have the same swelling on my pallet in the same area but no menthol taste.
My conclusion is that it is something on the pallet and occurs after I have been ill and may be run down.
I don't know if this will help any of you, some seem to have other symptoms too.
profile picture
Essay
New Member
Joined : Nov 2012
Posts : 13
Posted 11/18/2012 10:30 PM (GMT -7)
Just found this site. I also have the menthol feeling in mouth, throat. It first began a few years ago on my scalp. Moved down to the mouth and now throat.  I dont think Gerd is on the scalp :-)    Have been diagnosed with MS now so I know mine is nerve related.  It is also behind my nose and my eyes and lips.  Its driving me crazy. Was gone for a time. It like I inhaled a huge dose of menthol.
profile picture
dencha
Forum Moderator
Joined : Feb 2009
Posts : 7256
Posted 11/19/2012 8:02 AM (GMT -7)
Hi Essay,Welcome to Healing Well! I have a suggestion. Why not start your own thread on the main page. That way people can greet and respond to you. Sometimes when there's an existing thread new members get lost in the shuffle. Here's the link to the main page: GERD - Heartburn

Just click on the Post New Topic at the top of the page.
You can just copy and paste (with a few adjustments) the post that you wrote here. Introduce yourself and post your experience.
Glad you've joined us!
Good luck,
Denise
profile picture
Mom2B
New Member
Joined : Dec 2012
Posts : 1
Posted 12/11/2012 1:39 PM (GMT -7)

I hope people are still talking about this.  I have experienced GERD/heartburn for years.  I have had an endoscopy and have taken medicine for an ulcer (even though I don't have one) and had been on prescription-strength omeprazole for a few years.  I have noticed a weird minty taste when I belch or hiccup sometimes.  I do take Gas-X pills almost every day and although they are green in color, they are not mint flavored.  I thought I was imagining things too.  I also chew Tums or Rolaids occasionally and I brush my teeth with cinnamon toothpaste.  I don't swallow the toothpaste so it can't be the paste I am "vurping" up.  I am glad to hear that I am not the only person who has experienced this.  Since I am now 11 weeks along in my pregnancy, I can imagine that this GERD is not going to improve any time soon.  The only thing I can do right now is talk to my OB about this but I know she will tell me to just continue taking Pepcid and chew Tums. 

profile picture
foodwatcher
New Member
Joined : Feb 2013
Posts : 2
Posted 2/11/2013 4:48 PM (GMT -7)
Hi everyone-i had this mentholly thing months ago and I did get checked for LPR a type of reflex for other problems like myvoice for 1 it was hard to speak.yes -LPR was diagnosed.but the menthol feeling (in my face mostly) finally disappeared for months-until a couple of nights ago.I pigged out on chocolate as i have been for a while-but this time -a different chocolate candy.it hit me within a half hr id say-it was miserable--all night.I'm guessing it's possibly vanillan -A white crystalline aldehyde having a burning taste and characteristic odor of vanilla. It is extracted from vanilla pods, and is also obtained by the decomposition of coniferin, and by the oxidation of eugenol. So-once i get it--the horrible feeling--it seems to linger and get reactivated by say-coffee-- desserts.its as if my body can only break it down so much -and then--it cant .I'm wondering about Cytochrome p450 and it's role here-doing some research.this isnt my only toxic issue--what felt like metals under my facial skin -going up to my brain-as well has happened and a probable allergy to silica-as i couldnt tolerate any face makeup-even the purest.Ive cut out silica from supps as much as possible.
profile picture
vinylmasters
Regular Member
Joined : Feb 2013
Posts : 34
Posted 2/19/2013 6:37 AM (GMT -7)
I bet we all had a dollar for every time our doctor's gave that 'you're crazy!' look when they don't have an answer?

That's the look I got from 2 surgeons, my GI AND GP doc's when I mentioned this. It's positively acid related, and I'm not sure if it's caused my meds or not. I haven't had this since I stopped PPI's. I don't get it from H2 blockers or other ant-acids. I've never been able to pin it to a certain food either. This one just has me befuddled truthfully, other than I'm positive it's reflux related. One doc told me it has nothing to do with my sinuses, but I know it does because when my reflux starts to act up my nose runs like crazy (as well as when I have a BM).

Ironically, I have never even heard of LPR until I saw this forum yesterday. After reading up on it it doesn't look like I really have the symptoms of it other than the running nose, but I'm certainly going to ask my GI doc about it at my next appt.
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
12345




HealingWell

About Us  |   Advertise  |   Subscribe  |   Privacy & Disclaimer
Connect With Us
FacebookFacebook TwitterTwitter PinterestPinterest LinkedInLinkedIn
© 1997-2021 HealingWell.com LLC All Rights Reserved. Our website is for informational purposes only. HealingWell.com LLC does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.