Uh-oh... (Saint any info would be great!)

[dogface]

So, I have already chronicled in past posts about my right cheek and jaw swelling up, and then having the dentist by phone feel it was an abscess. Went in, Dentist couldn;t confirm by his test, but referred me over to Endodontist. Endodontist could not confirm the abscess, but said they need to do the root canal anyway. SO far so good. Well the right jaw has always felt "tight" or "engorged" I don;t have a better way to explain it.

THis week on Tuesday I went in to a NP for a step test, due to a little bug I was having, told here what I felt and that my lymph node on the right front side of my jaw was huge. SHe felt it, said watch it, due to illness it could be that way but she did notice the swelling. Specifially side of jaw, and then from behind ear. I tell her I am having permanent crown out in Friday, she says to bring it up to dentist.

I see him today, he puts in crown, has a serious look on his face and tells me he wants a Oral and Maxillofacial surgeon to look at me, and then said there was some type of x-ray, to verify something. (COne scan or something like that with the word "cone"). Then he said something that est case scenario it is an angioma, and worst case scenario it is a possible cancer, sarcoma was mentioned.

Not lying here gents, scared as heck, and not feeling comfortable. Got a new job as well chronicled on here, and now insurance questions abound if this is indeed a cancer. (Swithcing companies, uninsurable, etc. come to mind!)

Prayers are requested that this is nothing, and I appreciate it!!!!

dogface


PS: Tlak it over with GF, everyone says it is no biggie, it's probably not cancer, let me tell you that does not make me feel BETTER!! Still consumed with thinking the worst, can't stand it already!

 

[MadJack]

I had some swelling in the upper part of my gums in the area I had dental surgery in November. It was like a blister and I have been getting them and they have been going away and back and forth. He used what he called a "cone" to tell where something was draining and it was caused by that tooth, so he said. Turns out, they didn't save my tooth where I had the tramatic surgery and now I have a whole new thing to go through that's even more exciting :scared

but that's another thread.

This one fucking tooth has cost me
$900 root canal
$1500 solid porcelain crown
$1000 for that surgery I had in November
$2500 for an upcoming implant
~ $1000 for the specialist to remove the tooth, put some kind of material up in my gums in order to form a foundation for the implant screw. And I have to wear a flipper for the 6 weeks it takes for that material to be ready for the screw and pin :sadwave:

That's one expensive ass tooth, huh?

Sorry for the ramble but that's what I know about a "cone" test that I had done recently. He jammed that fuker between my tooth and gum and it wasn't a pleasant feeling.

Hope everything works out for you, buddy.

 

[dogface]

Well , now I got the "cone" concept. He mentioned about draining etc as well, but my saliva glands all were clear and functioning, but am still getting the "cone" thing Monday at 7:00 AM. Sounds klike fun, I will take the pain for good news. Taking the pain, and having it be bad.... not so much!!! :scared


dogface

 

[dogface]

Heart is puming, got nothing better to do right now.. This is what I am getting done... I think... for a better image.

http://www.drim-radiologie.com/mag/fr/product-306775.htm

dogface

 

[MadJack]

Well , now I got the "cone" concept. He mentioned about draining etc as well, but my saliva glands all were clear and functioning, but am still getting the "cone" thing Monday at 7:00 AM. Sounds klike fun, I will take the pain for good news. Taking the pain, and having it be bad.... not so much!!! :scared


dogface

It didn't hurt hardly at all really. He just used a q-tip and applied a little numbing juice before he stuck it in there but you can still feel it.

Mine IS draining but it sounds like yours isn't, that's why the swelling. I can push on mine and it will drain right down, like a blister. He said I better get the tooth removed soon or I might have to make an emergency room run one day when it quits draining :scared

So, it takes 2 dentists to get this crap done for me and I go for a consultation next week. the 2nd one

 

[gardenweasel]

g.l.man....usually it`s not what you think...

you a smoker?.....

 

[gardenweasel]

It didn't hurt hardly at all really. He just used a q-tip and applied a little numbing juice before he stuck it in there but you can still feel it.

Mine IS draining but it sounds like yours isn't, that's why the swelling. I can push on mine and it will drain right down, like a blister. He said I better get the tooth removed soon or I might have to make an emergency room run one day when it quits draining :scared

So, it takes 2 dentists to get this crap done for me and I go for a consultation next week. the 2nd one

just spent around 3 grand + for a root canal and a crown since thanksgiving.....had quite a bit of pain....

that,on top of income taxes/property taxes//tree removal/auto insurance/home owners insurance........all coming due at approx. the same time....

roughly 10 grand down the tubes in the snap of your fingers....

 

[saint]

Hey man sorry to hear. What did the guy see when he was seating your crown to concern him? Did he take an xray?

Easier said than done but think positively, there are a ton of benign things it could be. The image you are getting done is just a specialized film to get a good look at the area in question. Shouldn't be difficult at all.

It could still be a tooth related infection that is chronic (hence the tightness) and is draining into the lymph nodes on that side.

Keep us updated.

 

[dogface]

Thanks gents.

GW no, not a smoker, nor do I chew...

Saint... When seating the crown he saw noting, he did feel the lower portion of the check (jaw line muscle tissue, and the inflammation) commented as such from the front view, as not being symmetrical, and the view from behind specifically under the year and around the back. He did not feel the "pebbles, or peanuts" that he would expect from a sarcome per se, but that it was still a concern. Although, he believes it may also be a angioma, he mentioned it could be a mass somewhere else in the head (sinuses, etc.) that could be causing the inflammation. He has checked all the teeth, and does not believe (nor the Endo) that this inflammation is coming from them).

X-rays from the initial visit, and the Endo meeting showed nothing from what I understand in the area.

You can notice, can't sleep and am concerned. Hopefully about nothing, but it was an eye opener. How quickly things change, whether it is something big or not, it still is unsettling...

dogface

 

[saint]

Did they say if it could be inflammation of your parotid gland?

That happened to me once and it was incredibly painful.

 

[gardenweasel]

Thanks gents.

GW no, not a smoker, nor do I chew...


dogface

years ago i had some inflammation of the nodes right under my ears(behind my jawline).just went away....actually went to see see an oncologist...turned out to be nothing ...went away...

glad you aren`t a smoker...jack,throw those damned cigarettes out...

 

[dogface]

Did they say if it could be inflammation of your parotid gland?

That happened to me once and it was incredibly painful.

Nothing mentioned like that, I have no pain. Lower section of right side jaw just feels "full" and "tight", proabably form tissue being engorged?

Last night and today, cheek/lower jaw down into neck look like the size prior to going in which was large. Nothing palpabale, just swollen....

dogface

 

[SixFive]

sounds like some of the weird things I get! Hope it's nothing horrible. I can feel you apprehension though!

 

[dogface]

Still bothered, never thought I would react this way!!

Saint- I feel and see increased swelling on the right side, again. Now when I lean to the right, and grab the portion of "skin and muscle" under the ear towards the lower jaw, I feel spongy tissue that is almost a very thick reverse "L" shape. What is that? When it is swollen, that appears to be the place it is. Is that the parotid gland that I am feeling? Is it drainage from some place? It feels not necessarily lump, but a thick spongey feeling. (Clinical discussion I know, but lacking other terms for you!)

Just curious as I am either trying to take my mind of of things, or trying to reassure myself. Neither is helping!! Appt tomorrow at 7:00 AM... you would think I could wait. But with vacation starting Wednesday, coming back and leaving job on APril 1st, a Thursday. THen starting a new position and flying to CHicago on that Monday. The timming of this crap couldn't be worse. Add in the potential for a "bad" diagnosis, things could change very rapidly. :shrug:

Ugh...


dogface

 

[saint]

Still bothered, never thought I would react this way!!

Saint- I feel and see increased swelling on the right side, again. Now when I lean to the right, and grab the portion of "skin and muscle" under the ear towards the lower jaw, I feel spongy tissue that is almost a very thick reverse "L" shape. What is that? When it is swollen, that appears to be the place it is. Is that the parotid gland that I am feeling? Is it drainage from some place? It feels not necessarily lump, but a thick spongey feeling. (Clinical discussion I know, but lacking other terms for you!)

Just curious as I am either trying to take my mind of of things, or trying to reassure myself. Neither is helping!! Appt tomorrow at 7:00 AM... you would think I could wait. But with vacation starting Wednesday, coming back and leaving job on APril 1st, a Thursday. THen starting a new position and flying to CHicago on that Monday. The timming of this crap couldn't be worse. Add in the potential for a "bad" diagnosis, things could change very rapidly. :shrug:

Ugh...


dogface

It's human nature to assume the worst I'm as guilty as anyone. But when stuff like this comes up you always work through the things that are most likely (all benign) and then cross the bridge to the other side only when you have to. There are so many things it could be that are pretty harmless that chances are it's nothing to worry about. Easier said than done, I know. Keep us updated.

Tough to say without seeing you but here's a pic of your parotid location:

It could be something as simple as a blockage in the duct leading to it causing swelling or even mumps who knows. If not associated with the parotid it could be a cyst or something bone related. The CT will determine these things.

 

[dogface]

Thanks for the pic, that was the area I was feeling that was spongey. I "think" I felt something between mid lower jaw and back that was a painful bump, might have been me touching it I don't know.

My lymph node now fels marble size, and is moveable, with some slight dull pain. Never felt pain there before. You can move it around in front of jaw bone etc. Nervous Willy here, will have more answers tomorrow I know. Prayers once again welcome.

dogface


PS: I am now officially a wuss. I broke down sobbing today, too much reading on the internet, causes, mis-diagnosis etc., that I scared the crap out of myself. Leave it to the professionals, but I am an eternal learner, and I freaked myself out!! Not a good thing! Off to bed...:sadwave:

 

[gardenweasel]

Thanks for the pic, that was the area I was feeling that was spongey. I "think" I felt something between mid lower jaw and back that was a painful bump, might have been me touching it I don't know.

My lymph node now fels marble size, and is moveable, with some slight dull pain. Never felt pain there before. You can move it around in front of jaw bone etc. Nervous Willy here, will have more answers tomorrow I know. Prayers once again welcome.

dogface


PS: I am now officially a wuss. I broke down sobbing today, too much reading on the internet, causes, mis-diagnosis etc., that I scared the crap out of myself. Leave it to the professionals, but I am an eternal learner, and I freaked myself out!! Not a good thing! Off to bed...:sadwave:

you`re no wuss,dog.....you`re normal.....amybody would be a bit panicky...
i`m sure you`re o.k.,but i`ll say a prayer tonight....

best of luck tomorrow...:mj09:

 

[THE KOD]

PS: I am now officially a wuss. I broke down sobbing today, too much reading on the internet, causes, mis-diagnosis etc., that I scared the crap out of myself. Leave it to the professionals, but I am an eternal learner, and I freaked myself out!! Not a good thing! Off to bed...:sadwave:

..............................................................

man you're not a wuss. Back in November my Dr saw something on a EKG that I had heart blockages. They set me up for a nuclear stress test. It cost 2500 bucks and I have no insurance.

Went on the internet and basically scared the shit out of myself reading about my personal diagnosis thinking.

Thought all the worst thoughts. I had two weeks before the test. So I had plenty of time for paranoia to set in.

Test came out OK and had no blockages.

what ? no pending heart attack ? no stroke ? no open heart surgery ?

hang in there. Things have a way of working out.

thoughts and prayers for tommorrow.

 

[Agent 0659]

I think you are (understandably) freaking out for no reason bro. Everything will be FINE.

We are thinking about you and sending you our best karma.

 

[dogface]

Thanks gents, nice and uplifting to read this morning. Getting ready and on my way for the appt. Will respond later in the day, fingers crossed, and prayers said for a positive outcome today!


dogface