Question:
1 wk postop - coating on tongue?

I am 7 days postop and noticed yesterday I have a white coating on my tongue, it is gross. It taste terrible. I tried brushing it off yesterday but could not get it all. This morning I woke up and it is heavy again. All I have had is liquids. Anyone had this? Any info would be helpful    — Sharon F. (posted on November 13, 2002)


November 13, 2002
It sounds to me as though you have Thrush. It is QUITE common with new postops. Give your a Dr. a call and he can prescribe some stuff you have to swish around in your mouth to get rid of it.. Good Luck!
   — Amy S.

November 13, 2002
I think it will pass in a week or two. I had the same "thick" feeling on my tongue. I had to brush my teeth/tongue 3 or 4 times a day during my first few weeks post-up, but then it went away. I had a tongue scraper from my dentist, so that helped "comb" some of the muck off. I thought maybe it had something to do with all the protein/whey drinks I was consuming because it was just "thick" and nasty tasting like the protein powders. Now I am just down to brushing morning and night.
   — Stacey G.

November 13, 2002
Get it fixed fast via your Doctor (I had it too) they didn't even question me; just called in the Rx.. and even though I was only 1-2 days with it without treatment, it really hindered me in my quest for liquid/food intake (since everything just tasted rotten) and my mouth hurt. Until you can get treated, eat lots of yogurt...
   — Karen R.

November 13, 2002
Yes, it could be thrush, which is actually a yeast infection in the mouth. They pump you with so many antibiotics during surgery and after that this condition can happen very easily. But easy to cure, too. Just call the doc and he'll order a prescription for you. Hugs, Joy
   — [Deactivated Member]

November 13, 2002
it is most likely thrush, which is a yeast infection as everyone else has said, But i have a few other tips for you. First, call your doc and get a script for the medicine that you need. Additionally, rinse your mouth with 1/2 strength listerine a few times a day. Also, if you are using any sort of inhaler for breathing issues, such as asthma or bronchitis, make sure that you rinse your mouth out after each one of those as well. Good Luck toyou, this is an easy thing to fix!!
   — Vicki L.

November 13, 2002
I had it too, it didnt go away until I could eat food! Not liquids.
   — Debbie W.

November 13, 2002
I had the same furry tongue for about 3-4 weeks after surgery, yes it is because of the anti-biotics and it does go away on its own.
   — Diane B.

November 13, 2002
"Magic Swizzle" was the Rx I got and it cleared it up in half a day. I do not believe it will go away on its own in all cases. Get the Rx and feel better fast.
   — Karen F.

November 13, 2002
Please don't plan on it going away on your own. It can spread. It can eventually move down your throat making eating & drinking virtually impossible. I think I read once a long while back about someone who had it spread to their pouch. Ouch! Can you imagine? Anyhow, I know from personal experience that it definately can spread at least down your throat. Mostly I've seen liquid nystatin (swish & swallow) prescribed. It works within a couple days. And isn't too horrible at all to take.
   — Shelly S.

November 13, 2002
Yep,sounds like thrush (a yeast infection)to me. I had it post op from the antibiotics I was on for a post op pneumonia, but you can get one just from changing the balance of your system (stress!) Docs will usually give you a liquid (like nystatin)to swish with, but I think they take way too long. Had my doc order mycelex troches...you dissolve them in your mouth, and they do the trick pretty fast.
   — Denise W.

November 13, 2002
Sounds like thrush to me also. You need to get nystatin from your doctor. It will not go away on its on. I got it about 2 weeks out and it got into my throat and esophagus. I was very sick for 3 weeks and wound up in the hospital for a week before my doctor found out what was wrong with me. It got so bad I was so nauseous and could not eat or drink anything for 3 weeks.
   — Bethany F.




Click Here to Return
×