What Causes Dysgeusia, White Coating On Tongue, Numbness In Left Thigh And Lightheadedness?

Posted on Mon, 30 May 2016

Question: bitter tongue every morning after wake up with white coating. oral temperature fluctuating between 37-37.5. persistent light headness and rotating pain in skull . eyes burning but not red. recently feeling numbness in left thigh while sleeping. done blood tests , all normal. all these continuing for last 2 months. consulted 2GP but nothing improved. please help

Answered by Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (42 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Infections should be considered and evaluated further.

Detailed Answer:
Hello and thanks for using HCM.

I have read your question and understand your concerns.

Dysgeusia or strange taste on tongue is a condition commonly accompanied by changes in smell too.

Causes include:

- infections of upper respiratory tract, sinusitis, fungal oral infections.

- vitamin B12 deficiency

- nerves responsible about taste damage

- some cases remain idiopathic ( without any identifiable cause )

Since you experience fever too, infection is a possibility.

I suggest you to get tested and evaluated further about blood levels of vitamin B12, about any upper respiratory or sinuses infection and a culture of the white covering material of your tongue is needed as well.

Headaches and burning eyes may be caused by fever too.

Numbness in thigh while sleeping may be related to sleeping position,or, if vitamin B12 is low, numbness may be related to it.

Hope you found the answer helpful.

Let me know if I can assist you further.

Greetings.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (11 minutes later)

thanks doctor. .just to add. .I have been diagnosed with cholesteatoma and chronic otitis media and chronic mastoiditis in right ear. any link do you find. especially with bitter tongue issue with white coating

Answered by Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Spreading of infection is a possibility.

Detailed Answer:
Welcome back.

Otitis media and mastoiditis are caused by infections and/or inflammation, so, this history suggests that infection may be the culprit.

Further evaluation by imaging of paranasal sinuses is needed to confirm/exclude this possibility.

Spreading of infection/inflammation from ear to sinuses may happen through the Eustachian tube.

Hope this helps.

Take care.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (9 hours later)

thanks doctor. .just want to add bitterness in toungue only happens after getting up in morning and this goes away by drinking water. how long it could continue as it's happening already for 2 months.
does an ear infection, as mentioned above can cause this.
secondly regarding headache, this happens even without temperature. and the pain rotates in skull. the pain in top of the head like someone pulling your hair or in Temple like someone hitting. also eyes burning. all get relieved slightly if I take rest.
can chronic infection in my ear can cause all this.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (15 hours later)

Brief Answer:
It is possible.

Detailed Answer:
Hello again and thanks for being on follow up.

Secretions due to ear infection may cause tongue bitterness if they pass to nose and mouth.

Headaches too may be related to ear infection, since you refer you are experiencing fever.

As I mentioned before, paranasal sinuses infection, or sinusitis should be evaluated as another possible condition that may cause your symptoms.

Hope I helped you.

Best regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Naveen Kumar