I'm a mess right now - venting post

Once again my evil tooth is making my cheek swell. Woke up about 2 am yesterday morning with chipmunk face and pain. This darn tooth has been causing me issues for a year. I'm to the point I just want to pull it to be done with it - but that could cause issues with the work the braces did all of those years ago... I have a retreatment root canal scheduled.

Also, it's March, which seems to be my time of year to flare. Things are definitely there - mild, but still! Add to it the cold I have from allergies. Last week i was determined it was just allergies - until someone reminded me that two weeks ago we had TWO people walking around our office with walking pneumonia! So now I'm concerned it could be worse than a cold. Just a cough right now - but irritating enough. Considering the antibiotics I've been on for the tooth, I hope to stay okay.

I also found that I'm terrified to use antibiotics other than Zithromax. I know my body reacts okay to that, but it's not good to keep using the same one. I'm afraid I've built up a tolerance :( The last time I used Cipro - two or three years ago - it started a flare of sorts - water D all of the time - no blood though.

I don't think the Darvocet for tooth pain is helping me either - I'm not taking a whole lot, but things seem "stopped up" anyway. Although the doc did have me on some immodium daily to see if we could decrease the number of bms. I quit taking that last week when I decided I couldn't ignore the fact that I started to flare. Although I did take one yesterday when we decided to take the boat on the river. We hadn't been out since October and I wasn't going to miss the chance just because I might have to GO.

I've ordered the Primodophilus Reuteri to try to get a new strain into my body - hoping that will help. I also called the doc for canasa and am using that twice a day. I'm giving it a week to see how things go. I have a vacation to visit my brother and his fiance scheduled - and I don't want to miss it! I also don't want to end up on pred with moon face the first time I meet her. (shallow I know, but still a concern)

I'm going to try to take a nap this afternoon. Sleep helps the body heal and I am TIRED.

Find an experienced endodontist if you have to re-do a root canal job. That's the key! My dentist got me the top-gun about 12 yrs back after the 1st endo he sent me to did a prima donna routine about not being able to save my premolar because the underlying bone was weak. There are a lot of things endos can do if they know their stuff & it's definitely better to save the tooth. But don't keep putting off treatment-- you'll just need more antibiotics. RE March blues: I started into a "moderate" flare 10 days ago. Grrrrrrr! My longtime gastro's advice as we await labs: try to relax. Says it's unlikely that I also have something infectious, but is checking to be sure. Hang in there & keep us posted. / Old Hat (30 yrs with left-sided UC ... [etc.])