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Chronic Pain
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Posted 3/16/2011 11:36 AM (GMT 0)
Hello to everyone, and I hope this finds you all having a reasonable night.

I could really use everyone's crossed fingers, positive thoughts, good vibes - whatever - right now cry

I've been getting terrible jaw pain the last week from my wisdom teeth, partly from my teeth, partly from them exacerbating my CRPS pain. I finally found a wheelchair accessible dentist yesterday and although I won't know for sure until I have x-rays done, it looks quite likely that I'll have to have at least two, possibly all four teeth extracted. Not a nice prospect for anyone, and for me - with CRPS affecting my face already - it's terrifying.

To top it off, I found a mass on my face a little while ago - doctor is fairly sure that it is nothing to worry about and I am hoping against hope that he is right because the other possibility is a salivary gland tumour. I am having ultrasounds done on Friday to investigate further and although I know that stress isn't going to help, I am frightened.
Posted 3/16/2011 12:07 PM (GMT 0)
Breathe.
Although our conditions are nothing alike, I can see a simularity in the anxiety. The spot between finding the problem, getting the appointment and going to the appointment and looking for the results.
I'm in the time between making the appointment for a PM and going to find out what she can do for me. In the meantime treating RA pain with inadaquite medications.
I will have to learn more about CRPS and how that affects the face and possably tooth extraction. I had all 4 wisdom teeth removed while I was in bootcamp 15 years ago. The actual tooth extraction wasn't so bad. Getting back to bootcamp afterward was worse.
I can't tell you how to ease the waiting time, because I feel like I don't know how to survive it. But I feel for you and will add you to my prayers.
Posted 3/16/2011 12:20 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks so much Christina

One of the problems with CRPS is that - to put it simply - it blows pain out of all proportion. When I'm not well controlled, pulling on a pair of socks can feel like someone rasping my feet with sandpaper. Bumping my hand or arm can feel like someone has hit me with a hammer. Surgery tends to make things worse (it's also a major trigger for development of CRPS). Other than suggestions that nerve blocks be used, I'm having a hard time finding any information relating to extractions in CRPS patients...I guess because CRPS affecting the face is so uncommon. If you turn up anything useful please do let me know...

Laura
Posted 3/16/2011 2:25 PM (GMT 0)
Laura, I am sorry that you are having so much anxiety right now on top of your pain. Fear sure is the enemy. I'm going through something similar but not related to my chronic pain. I am going to see a hematologist/oncologist this Friday and there is a possibility that I may have a very serious (ie cancer) blood disorder. Just the thought of going to see the specialist has been enough to raise feelings of panic. I asked a friend to pray for me to remain calm through this and all he said in return was "All will be well." I have started using that almost like a mantra so every time those feeling show up I keep telling myself that all will be well. It has helped me to calm down considerably. There really is only so much you can do as to how your body reacts to all this but if you can help to calm your mind, that will help in general since the body and mind are so connected. So maybe you can come up with a phrase with a positive message that you can repeat to yourself when the anxiety is going up to help calm things down. It really helps me and it may help you also.

I wish you peace, Lee
Posted 3/16/2011 2:37 PM (GMT 0)
Laura,

I'll keep my fingers crossed that the mass you found is nothing to fret about and can be easily dealt with. Try to put it out of your mind till you have your ultrasound; we both know how stressful worrying only makes everything so much worse. *hugs*

As for your wisdom teeth see if your dentist uses sedation or not. I had such strong phobia's against dentists that eventually for certain procedures sedation became necissary. I've had all 5 of my wisdom teeth removed over a decade ago and can honestly say it wasn't that bad. They gave me vicoden for the pain, but I found myself back at work the next day. Mind you that was over ten years ago, and certainly I didn't have any exsisting pain in my face like you. If they can't sedate you see if they can perscribe valium or something in advance, at the very least it'll try and help keep you calm. Just take it easy for a couple days, maybe use compresses to help. Provided there is nothing funky the extraction process is pretty simple. With having 5 wisdom teeth (I guess my Maternal Grandmother had 5 as well) it made it difficult because when they pulled out one, they found a second behind it, and had to cut it out to even get to it. And the majority of people need to have their wisdom teeth pulled, so it's a very common thing. I wonder where the wisdom was in that? And why are they called wisdom teeth? Does having them pulled have any sort of impact on one's IQ? If that were the instance what does it say about someone with 5, who had to have all of 'em pulled?

Just silly thoughts to try and help ease your anxiety, friend. *hugs*  Thinking good thoughts.

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