tooth/flare

So, I was supposed to go to Duke from Tues-Thurs this week to get chemo(cytoxan/rituxan full dosage), but I had an AWFUL toothache. My pain meds haven't even touched it. Like-amputate my head pain. With pain like that, I knew something was wrong, and cancelled my appointment to see the Dr, and the 12hr infusion. The infusions aren't hard to reschedule. I have to have 2 infusions in two week blocks, so the first date, has to be within the time frame for the second infusion. Now, the Dr's appointment is a different story. I'm an established patient so that helps. Waits for new patient appointments are often close to a year. Thankfully, my Dr said he'll come up to the infusion clinic to see me, I just need to tell him the date.

Back to the tooth pain. I was worked into the dentist's schedule. Actually, he told me to just ask for Amy, and he'll fit me in any day. The pain is in my upper molar. It's super hard for me to open wide, but he was able to use the little mirror tool and promptly said, "Wow-that's a HUGE abscess! Thank goodness I
did not get the infusions down at Duke. The worst case scenario is that the infection will move into the titanium joints. This cannot happen-nope, now way, no how. Especially the back molars. The tooth will be pulled, but the infection must be taken care of.

I'm now on antibiotics stronger than the bactrim that I take every other day as a prophylactic. He did offer pain meds, but I told him I'm on a pain contract. He said, duh, I should've known that. I go back to see him on Monday.

Let's not forget that my own body really really hates me. For some reason, the infection, has thrown my body for a loop. A really BIG loop. I've been running a low grade fever for days, and my joints and muscles have kept me in the house, and often in bed. I know that moving around is a must, so I've been walking the dog, but I need to find the tractor trailer that's hit me.Most of my joints are swollen and hot, and uveitis is flaring up in both eyes.

I just feel awful. I'm going to suck it up and take Tonka to the dog park, but I'm sure a hot bath will follow. It's not the healthiest meal, but the kid will probably make a deli sandwich for dinner.

Ugh, Ugh, Ugh,
and UGH.

I realized later that my contract also says in emergency situations. You'd think with how many times I'm the er or admitted I remember that.

Thankfully my Dr gives me a lot of wiggle room with one of my pain meds. I've written before that I'm lowering my dosages so when inpatient pain relief won't be so hard to achieve. I've been taking the lowest possible dose for one so I can go up on it-which I've done. This is my 3rd time dealing with this this year. I told the dr that I promise I brush my teeth, but he said it's the autoimmune process affecting my gums.

Thanks Chartreux. I always feel like such nut when complaining about tooth pain-it's such a small area, but it is awful.

I think your brave with that tooth pain and not nutty in any way!
Tooth pain is just more intense, hope yours is getting better.
I think when your in an emergency situatin that common sense goes out the window and its happened to me, forgetting the details, like the saying "devil in the details"...now that your thinking straight again, just go and have a good laugh and that might also lift your spirits and help..take care and really hope your tooth pain gets better, soon..