A Strange Tale of Truth and Tooth

 Midway upon the journey of our life/ I found myself within a forest dark/ For the straight forward pathway had been lost.

Dante's Inferno

Prologue

Sometimes, I find myself on a path that is anything but straightforward. Oh, the irony of these bodily circumstances. They are anything but straight forward. lol 

I definitely see growth as I observe the happenings in this body. I no longer react with fear of what will happen to it (the fear only comes when I have to seek help for it and even that fear is being tamed). I actually look at what is happening and what has happened in the last six months or so and find it all quite amusing...like I am watching some actor in a scene from one of  Dante's epic poems. ...a Divine Comedy maybe.

I am no longer filled with, "Oh My God...What is happening to me and what am I going to do?" 

It's more like, "Oh My God...look at what is happening now. It is kind of bizarre and cool at the same time...truth really is stranger than fiction. My body is involved in a strange tale of  truth and tooth,,,wow...I wonder what will happen next."

The Strange Tale of Truth and Tooth

I started developing a problem with my mouth in April. I assumed, as I was told that it might happen, that fillings I had done in October didn't stay put. So, when I experienced the sudden bout of intense pain one day and woke up the next morning with my face all swollen I made an emergency appointment with the dentist. I stressed that my major concern was having an infection in my mouth. 

After some fancy, expensive Xray, it was decided that the pain was not related to that tooth with the fillings; that  wisdom teeth were the source of the problem and had to be removed. At the same time I am hearing that some tooth obviously had to be extracted.  It was then decided to hold on the extraction and leave it for the oral surgeon because of my health history: mitral valve prolapse which increases the risk for IE related to a mouth infection and I was also on medication for osteoporosis that increases the risk for osteonecrosis of the jaw whenever the jaw is exposed during dental procedures. I agree.

I was referred for wisdom teeth extraction. I was told that the consult to the Oral Surgeon would be urgent because that infected tooth (whichever one was believed to be infected) had to be removed within two weeks. I was placed on antibiotics that were meant to cover me until I got into see the surgeon. I needed another course when the mouth flared up again three weeks later. 

Hmm! It took two months, not two weeks, to get into see the oral surgeon for a consult and during that consult there was little to no mention of the infected tooth that had to be removed.  I assumed it was all in the consult so I didn't say anything...assuming the infected tooth must have been the little extra wisdom tooth I had. It was more or less phrased that I was requesting to have my wisdom teeth out, like it wasn't so much a necessity...which confused me a bit. No real oral exam was done but another expensive Xray was ordered to base the plans for surgery on. I was also shown the inside of my mouth. The surgeon wanted to show me how the wisdom tooth on the other side was biting into the inside of my cheek and asked if I wanted that extracted too. I said no. 

I was also told, prior to surgery, that the sinus might be damaged during the procedure because the tooth was resting up against it.  It could be repaired but it might result in chronic sinus issues. I agreed to have the surgery done despite the risk because I assumed this was the only way to stop the infection in my mouth. That was my main concern all along. 

Two weeks later my wisdom teeth were removed. I maxed out the special insurance coverage I had for oral surgery and had to pay $ 300 plus dollars out of pocket. I did so happily assuming the problem was solved. 

When I was discharged after the procedure my responsible adult was told that I had an infected tooth in my mouth that had to be extracted by my dentist back home in two weeks time, that I couldn't risk an IE.  This didn't make sense to me so I assumed my responsible adult "got it wrong." I had this very expensive procedure done to clear up the infection...all the infected teeth must have been removed...there still couldn't be an infection in my mouth.  I decided I would call the dentist or oral surgeon in two weeks to get it sorted out. I was given a prescription of antibiotics upon discahrge...I assume now... to hold me over.

The recovery seemed smooth enough...though I noticed pain in my cheek and the gums felt swollen and tender with some bumps in the back of the teeth on that side but I just thought it was all a part of the post op healing process. It kept getting worse. And I sneezed and I sneezed and I sneezed...almost violent sneezes which the discharge instructions said not to do. I felt like I had a cold...but the pain in my cheek was quite intense. I realized it must be the sinus thing I was warned of. 

"Great," I said to myself. "I am going to end up with chronic sinusitis. At least the infection is cleared up and the risk for IE is over." 

Anyway, the following week I get a follow up call from the clinic that did the surgery. I asked for clarification about what D. was told about the  need for another tooth extraction. There was some humming and hawing but the nurse said that I had a cavity and as long as I made regular visits to my dentist it would be looked after??? I was confused.  

So, I called the dentist office here and explained that my responsible adult was told that I needed to see the dentist in two weeks. The receptionist went off to get more information and came back saying...that they had received a consult from the Oral surgeon and yes I should be seen right away. Why didn't anyone call me then? Why am I calling to make this appointment if I am supposed to be seen right away? crossed my mind.

I go in to that appointment very confused. I am told by the dentist that first made the oral surgery consult that he received a note saying that the surgeon found an abscess on the back of the tooth (that had the fillings in it).  Why didn't anyone call me then? Why did I have to call to make this appointment if I was  supposed to be seen right away? crossed my mind again. 

He then did a thorough checkup and said there is an infection in the pulp of that tooth. It made absolute sense to me ...that was where the pain was originating all along. That is the infection, I concluded, that brought me there in April! He told me that we could either extract the tooth or do a root canal...if we extract the tooth he would have to send me back to the "specialist". I was like "No! No!I am not going back there. I will do the root canal." 

I am really confused at this point, not putting everything together. 

So, I am discharged with no antibiotics (I still have an abscess in the back of that tooth) and I go back to the receptionist desk for an estimate of the cost and an appointment.  Thinking this was all supposed to be taken care of in "2 weeks time" 3 months prior I am almost expecting to be told to come in in a week's time. "September," I am told is the soonest they can get me in...two months from then. I am stunned.  Even more stunned when I get the estimated cost, "1400 plus" and even more stunned again when I am told my regular dental insurance is all maxed out and I have to pay for this and all following  appointments out of pocket.   

As soon as I get to the car, it hits me, "I still have an infection in my mouth...the reason why I went to the dentist in the first place...it has been there for almost three months and I have to go another two months with it. I had my wisdom teeth out unnecessarily. They were never the cause of the problem." 

I had one of those violent sneezes then. "I now have this sinus thing for nothing! I maxed out my insurance and have spent over 500 dollars out of pocket on a procedure I didn't need and that hurt me more than helped me." 

I wanted to cry but I said, "No...I am going to trust the system.  They must know that I am not at risk for IE...otherwise they wouldn't let me go home without antibiotics.  It was just an honest mistake anyone could make.  That tooth root is right where the wisdom tooth was. It would have been hard to tell etc..."

I decided to wait patiently.  The infection didn't just disappear though.  The bumps became more pronounced...busting and filling my mouth with this unpleasant whatever...then new bumps would form and so on and so on. The discomfort in my cheek and jaw kept getting worse as did the sneezing. My gums would swell up...the swelling would go down...they would swell up...the swelling would go down. Again and again and again.

Then one day I got what would prove to be just a tiny abscess on the front of the gum of that tooth, increasing that pain in my cheek. I said, "Enough is enough...I need to get this checked".  

Though, I hated the idea of being on another course of antibiotic my gut said I needed to do something. This infection in my mouth should not be.

So, I called the dentist office early one morning and asked to see "someone else." I explained everything that was going on...everything....I stressed that I had an active infection in my mouth. She said she would check and came  back to the phone after a few saying, they  couldn't get me in that week...the following week the office was closed...the week after that it looked like they were swamped with appointments...it might be a month or so. She did say if I was having pain to go into emergency. 

I felt like crying again but I hung up with the intention of going to another clinic...but I knew I would likely have to wait even longer since they didn't know my history. ...so, instead I went into ER and luckily landed a kind doctor who knew a kind dentist (who happened to work at that same clinic) who was willing to see me the next day.  

I had the abscess drained the next day and was put on another round of antibiotics. I was hoping this new dentist would do the root canal but didn't want to ask him right there. Decided I would call later and discreetly have my file switched over to him. 

When I tried to do that a few days later..I discovered that he was leaving at the end of the month. Sigh.  I arranged for someone else to do the root canal but they can only do it in October. (I am thinking now of going to another clinic...if I have to wait that long anyway.)...Well the abscess is back...my mouth is sore...crap and I need another antibiotic....

So, crazy lady? Is this the end of your boring tale of tooth and truth? You got wisdom teeth out unnecessarily when what you needed was a root canal ? You still didn't get the infection in your mouth taken care of when that was the reason for this tale in the first place?  So what? 

No, it is not the end. Remember how I said I was on a medication for osteoporosis?  

Well I have had to go off that medication in April and cannot resume it until this mouth thing is fixed. (The risk of jaw necrosis is not something I wish to entertain). It took me an extended time to get on this med in the first place being that once I discovered the osteoporosis on a test result...I had to wait 7 months to get into my doctor.  I would have waited patiently until I got in to see him but the test showed it was mostly in my spine. I already had one compression fracture in my spine.  I did not want another! So, I opted to get on the medication as soon as I could, finding another route to do so.  It took me maybe four months to get on a bisphosphonate. Anyway...I had taken no medication since April because of this tooth issue.  

So?

Remember the violent sneezing I have been doing since this procedure I didn't need? 

Well during one sneeze a week ago, I felt something pop in my neck. Never thought anything of it other than, "That's weird!" Now, I cannot look over my shoulder on either side.  I cannot roll over in bed unless I log roll. I have a hard time lifting my head to look up. There is this intense pressure in my neck whenever I bend to lift anything or when I wake up in certain positions at night.  This is not muscular pain...I know muscular neck and shoulder pain...this is the neck itself.  Even though I know cervical fractures with osteoporosis are not common, I strongly suspect that I have a compression fracture in the C-2 -C-3 or C-3-C-4 because of that sneeze. 

So?

It is not overwhelming pain or anything.  I can definitely handle it. Every now and again I even get nice tingles down my body or a rushing feeling in my head.  It is not unpleasant. Just the opposite. (I tell myself it is Shakti, lol) But at the same time I know it means something is going on in the neck spine! If anything, it is restricting my range of motion.

I made an appointment to get that checked. I get in to see someone in early September (usually have to wait months) but wondering if I need an Xray before I go to Newfoundland just in case I need a collar.   Sigh! If I am right and it is a compression fracture what are they going to do about it anyway? Not much. Just a collar. Maybe I can get a collar anyway? The thing is I can't drive because I cannot look over my shoulder with or without a collar. D. will have to do it all and that is a lot of driving. 

Cole's Notes on this not so "Divine" Tale

Regardless...that is the scene from this not so Divine Comedy that I am watching this human I call "me" star in...bizarre eh? 

This character has a tooth ache...fears the consequence of a mouth infection...seeks help...ends up with all these things done that cause problems... a sinus thing.... that causes a sneeze that (possibly) causes a fracture...that causes a certain disability for the rest of character's life....all the while the infection still remains in the background smircking and rubbing its claws together like one the demons in Dantes Inferno. 

Who would have thought this drama up? lol

Epilogue

I know I need to do something.  I have to take care of this mouth infection once and for all. I also need to look into this neck issue...to take it beyond my "educated guess" to  validation that it is another compression fracture (or not...I could be wrong...I was so sure that I had little stress fractures in my shins...but the Xrays did not pick anything up and the pain has finally gone away...after a year...so maybe I am wrong about this too.) 

I have to decide how I am going to treat this osteoporosis without a bisphosphonate...if I can. I think this tale might have spared me from even worse complications of the drug. My esophagus is pretty beaten up from all the GERD I have had over the years...this drug will just make it worse. So, during this appointment I am hoping to discuss the need for an Xray for my neck...another bone density to determine a treatment option to see if there is any more mineral loss...If there isn't, do I really need to go on this drug again? ...And maybe discuss the possibility of a gastroscope to see what is going on in there before I start on such a drug if it is determined that I need to. 

Sigh...at least the character Dante is not as stupid as some of those demons that gaurd the gates of Hell are. Can this human I call me be playing a role like Dante after all, in this Tale of Truth and Tooth? lol 

Regardless, I am impressed at how little this all bothers me. I am not disturbed...not angry and out to make people pay for mistakes...I don't have a lot of trust in the system, mind you...but I think I trust myself and I trust Life more than I ever did.  

This, I know, is just a Tale I am observing this character I call me go through and I find myself on the edge of my seat wondering with amazement, "What will happen next?" 

All is well!