I have had these white lesions on the sides of my tongue for about 3 months now. They don't really bother me, unless I eat something acidic or spicy. I thought they would go away, but they didn't.

Went to see a periodontist about 2 weeks ago, and he diagnosed it as lichen planus. Interestingly, just the night earlier I was clicking links on a natural health website and one of the pages mentioned natural remedies for lichen planus, but I did not read about what causes it. So when the dentist said "lichen planus", knowing what lichen is, I started thinking oh shit, isn't that caused by a fungus of some sort. He said no, it is an auto-immune disease. He said it is harmless, and comes and goes. It mainly occurs on the surface of the body; mine is "oral lichen planus". He showed me with a mirror, there are white lesions inside both cheeks as well. It is so called because of the lichen-like appearance of the lesions.

There is no cure. Treatment involves topical or systemic corticosteroid application. I said I don't want treatment as it is not really bothering me. But, he also said that in a very small percentage, about 3-5%, the lesions could turn malignant. That kind of bothered me, but I did not think much about it.

Anyway, 2 days ago I decided to go see a highly qualified oral pathologist for a second opinion. His diagnosis is potentially scary. The lesions on the buccal mucosa, definitely lichen planus. The lesions on the tongue, probably lichen planus as well, but since they are lateral and not on the surface, he said there is a small chance it could be hairy leukoplakia. From Wikipedia:

Quote :

"Hairy leukoplakia (also known as oral hairy leukoplakia,[1]:385 OHL, or HIV-associated hairy leukoplakia),[2] is a white patch on the side of the tongue with a corrugated or hairy appearance. It is caused by Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and occurs usually in persons who are immunocompromised, especially those with human immunodeficiency virus infection/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS). This white lesion cannot be scraped off. The lesion itself is benign and does not require any treatment, although its appearance may have diagnostic and prognostic implications for the underlying condition."

He didn't tell me about EBV, just that hairy leukoplakia is usually associated with HIV. That really scared me!!! Then he said I could get a biopsy of the tongue done, and if it is positive for the EBV, I should get a blood test done to see if I have HIV in my system.



WTF, I can't have HIV!

Going for a biopsy tomorrow.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lichen_planus
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hairy_leukoplakia

Lichen planus is not that common:

Quote :

"The overall prevalence of lichen planus in the general population is about 0.1 - 4%. Oral lichen planus is relatively common. It is one of the most common mucosal diseases. The prevalence in the general population is about 1.27-2.0%"

Anybody else here have experience with either conditions, or know people who have/had them? Did they undergo any treatment?

5/27/2014 6:39:29 PM

EBV is mono, which is common and you may have had before and just thought it was the flu, but why would you wait for an HIV test? Why not just get an HIV test at the same time?

I know when I had mono I got mouth ulcers, I think it's a pretty common symptom

tl;dr
EBV is common, but why wait for those results before getting an HIV test? Just get both.

5/27/2014 7:42:25 PM

^Agreed. Mono sucks and it really does fuck up your mouth.

5/27/2014 7:47:00 PM

oh for fucks sake

they go away on their own, they're fairly common. 3 months is a bit long, but not unheard of. don't overdiagnose yourself. stay off of webmd, shit's dangerous.

5/27/2014 7:54:00 PM

^^^ EBV causes more than just mononucleosis, it has been implicated in several diseases/conditions.

I feel if it was mono, the oral pathologist would have said so; I am sure he knows the difference in morphology in ulcers/lesions due to mono and those due to hairy leukoplakia. But he specifically said hairy leukoplakia, although it is probably just lichen planus according to him. I hope it is lichen planus... don't want no viruses in my system!

There are reasons for not getting the HIV test done right now, can't expound on them here.

^ I don't care if it is lichen planus, as it doesn't bother me. But if it is indeed hairy leukoplakia, it *could* mean I have HIV. That's what's scary. Will see what the biopsy finds.


[Edited on May 27, 2014 at 7:59 PM. Reason : ]

5/27/2014 7:56:46 PM

so is it you or your wife that's been sleeping around?

5/27/2014 7:58:06 PM

^ no one, we are not like that.

5/27/2014 7:58:51 PM

Is the reason for not getting the test that you will be stoned?

In your own link they list EBV as a cause of hairy whatever, and EBV is common

5/27/2014 8:01:45 PM

Worse.

Yes, that's exactly what I am saying. You are saying EBV = mono, I said no, EBV = mono or one of many other diseases. The doctor did not say mono, he mentioned one of the other ones, THE one that is strongly linked with HIV/AIDS.

5/27/2014 8:04:45 PM

they won't kill you in Louisiana for having HIV.

they might because you are brown, however, so...

5/27/2014 8:11:13 PM

^ well, that's a relief

5/27/2014 8:15:13 PM

I'm not sure how you are missing that EBV causes hairy tongue whatever, it's pretty clear in your link.

EBV is common, usually no sleep or high stress are what suppress your immune system and cause flare ups. I have issues with EBV when I occasionally have to work nights for projects at work. You've probably had mono, and now will have EBV issues anytime your immune system is compromised. Poor sleep, diet, high stress, etc... Will all compromise your immune system

My EBV symptoms are lethargy, aches, weakness, and occasionally mouth ulcers if it's bad.

[Edited on May 27, 2014 at 8:23 PM. Reason : .]

5/27/2014 8:18:29 PM

I think that you're over sharing on TWW

5/27/2014 8:58:13 PM

No need to automatically assume the HIV. I get all sorts of stuff that immuno compromised people get and I don't have the HIV. My doctors assumed lupus for a long time but now I just think my body is really lazy or it hates me and wants me to suffer

5/27/2014 9:08:23 PM

http://gawker.com/you-really-shouldnt-be-using-wikipedia-to-diagnose-your-1582181071

5/27/2014 9:16:44 PM

http://raleigh.craigslist.org/cas/4485671437.html

5/27/2014 9:27:40 PM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2N3dI-j6enA&feature=kp

5/27/2014 9:45:42 PM

TIL you can get AIDS from sniffing a pair of dirty boxers

5/28/2014 12:22:40 AM

peace out, brah

5/28/2014 8:48:46 AM

TIL you can get AIDS from sniffing a pair of dirty boxers

5/28/2014 4:28:50 PM

How do you get mono or HIV and you are married?

5/28/2014 4:57:23 PM

His wife taking dat dark meat on the side.

5/28/2014 5:55:20 PM

^^ I don't know you tell me????

5/28/2014 9:48:53 PM

Hey at least the HIV is better than a Pakistani stoning right?

Quote :

"A postmortem examination of a Pakistani woman killed for marrying the man she loved has established she was five months pregnant. Farzana Iqbal, 25, was stoned to death by her family outside one of Pakistan's top courts in the city of Lahore on Tuesday in a so-called "honour" killing. Honour killings are common in Pakistan, where women are often denied their basic rights. But the brutality of this case caused outrage around the world. Many Pakistani families think it dishonourable for a woman to fall in love and choose her own husband. Police said the woman's father, two brothers and a former fiance were among the attackers. She suffered severe head injuries when they surrounded her and threw bricks at her, and was pronounced dead in hospital. All of the suspects except her father escaped. Mrs Iqbal had been engaged to her cousin but married another man. Her family had registered a kidnapping case against him and she had come to court to argue that she had married of her own free will."

http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/world-news/victim-of-stoning-was-pregnant.24352147

5/28/2014 11:41:24 PM

Oh, geez. It's probably mono or another auto immune disease. I highly doubt it's HIV. I mean shit occasionally happens in marriage, but I'm thinking you would have known by now- didn't your wife pop out a kid awhile ago? Common to find out about HIV during pregnancy, so they can take steps to avoid the baby getting it.

6/1/2014 10:43:59 AM

but yeah, my guess is that it's neither HIV nor full blown AIDS.

6/1/2014 1:09:45 PM

^^ yeah, i don't see how i would have hiv.

probably just lichen planus, as on the buccal mucosa (inside cheeks).

going for biopsy tomorrow.

6/1/2014 6:37:42 PM

Its AIDS

6/1/2014 9:02:41 PM

if you start to die can you post more hot chicks and less mustache ones

thanks

6/1/2014 9:18:17 PM

You don't have HIV. Now stfu and get on with your life.

6/1/2014 11:11:42 PM

what's the point of a biopsy if it just confirms that its hairy leukoplakia? after the biopsy you are still at square one and have no more information about if you have HIV, it seems like a waste of time and money.

6/2/2014 8:48:02 AM

^^^ you need to check your eyes and testosterone level.

^^ i have been getting on with my life since that post. was feeling down when i posted, but since then it has been on the back burner and don't even really care anymore.

^ well if the biopsy confirms that it is hairy leukoplakia, then that tells me there is a good chance I have HIV in my system, as in > 50%. if it is not hairy leukoplakia, then i definitely do not have HIV in my system.

6/2/2014 9:32:23 AM

You could still have HIV if it isn't that you know...

6/2/2014 10:28:38 AM

^ every human could potentially have HIV

that's neither here nor there

6/2/2014 10:33:05 AM

Surely there's some medical terminology for catching HIV from underwear sniffing...

6/2/2014 10:39:59 AM

why not just get an HIV test if you are worried about it?

6/2/2014 10:46:47 AM

as i said in my previous post, i am not even worried anymore. lol, i didn't even go for the biopsy today, just being lazy.

^^ there is, it is called "being a childish troll". watch out, it is contagious.

6/2/2014 11:03:19 AM

great thread.

6/2/2014 11:16:15 AM

Dude its aids, better get tested before you infect your wife.

6/2/2014 11:38:46 AM

ok, expert.

yes, i will get tested... no rush, i won't be seeing my wife for another 3 months or so.

inb4thelolu2areawayfromeachotherofcoursesomeoneisgettingsomeactionontheside

6/2/2014 11:43:54 AM

I don't care who's getting what where, I wouldn't walk around with a disgusting cold sore in my mouth wondering if it was HIV

[Edited on June 2, 2014 at 11:56 AM. Reason : and yes jody is banging your wife]

6/2/2014 11:55:17 AM

If you do have the HIV, the guys on South Park already showed how to cure it.

6/2/2014 11:58:22 AM

6/2/2014 4:12:31 PM