It began once I had COVID in September. After I say “it”, I am simply referring to a sequence of little occasions that added as much as the place I’m this morning. I want I had been writing about this all alongside as a result of it could be simpler to maintain up, however right here goes…
In September, I obtained a headache. I would stop ingesting espresso the day earlier than, so I assumed it was because of the caffeine withdrawal (my caffeine withdrawal complications are horrible and I all the time vow by no means to get hooked on espresso once more, then I do). The subsequent day, my throat felt prefer it was squeezing shut. This is quite common due to my generalized nervousness.
The next day, my headache was nonetheless persistent however my throat had gotten a lot worse–it was to the purpose that I *knew* I used to be getting sick. The telltale signal for me is all the time a sore throat. Certain sufficient, I obtained extra signs and was down and out for a number of days. It wasn’t horrible, however positively not enjoyable. The worst half was my persistent headache and throat that simply felt like I used to be being strangled.
I had been taking a decongestant across the clock with COVID in order that I would not get a sinus an infection. I used to be comfortable that I by no means did–but my sinuses felt completely dry and I assumed that is what was the reason for my headache.
The headache truly began to get even worse. It wasn’t excruciating or migraine-like, nevertheless it was there, continuous, 24/7. I began taking an increasing number of ibuprofen, 800 mg at a time, and it was barely touching it. I could not sleep. I obtained actually moody as a result of the headache was so persistent and I simply needed a break. I examine it to having a dialog with an grownup and your younger baby retains tugging in your pants saying “Mama, mama” making an attempt to get your consideration the entire time and also you simply do not need to interrupt the dialog.
Quickly my entire face was hurting, significantly my jaw, my temples, brow, and behind my eyes. After a few weeks, I knew it could not be the caffeine. COVID was lengthy gone. My jaw was hurting so badly that I made a decision to go to the dentist. I would been avoiding the dentist ever since Eli had oral surgical procedure final December and awoke in the midst of it, feeling each single factor the oral surgeon was doing to take away his impacted knowledge enamel.
After I’d been sick, I used to be consuming popsicles across the clock as a result of they helped my throat. And the enamel on the precise facet of my face have been SO delicate to the chilly. This wasn’t completely new, and the dentist knew about it however could not discover an issue, so I would just been utilizing toothpaste for delicate enamel (Tom’s truly works fairly nicely for that!).Â
Anyway, I had a nagging feeling that I had a nasty tooth or one thing. The hygienist took x-rays and stated she did not see something on the x-rays, nevertheless it’s doable I had a hairline fracture or one thing (which sounded horrible to me). And certain sufficient, upon inspection, she seen a really small crack in my (#31) molar (the one farthest again on the decrease proper facet).
The dentist stated he might put a crown on it, however referred me to an endodontist as a result of he stated I ought to be evaluated to see if I want a root canal first. I had a root canal and crown in 2016 and I used to be terrified to ever should get one other crown (actually, the basis canal was simpler than the crown). He stated since I used to be having lots of ache, there was a great probability I would want the basis canal–otherwise, I would nonetheless have ache with the crown.
I needed to do nothing. Faux that I by no means went to the dentist. Faux that my tooth was nice. How did I chew ice for like 15 years and by no means get a crack, then stop a 12 months and a half in the past and my tooth will get fractured? Whereas I do not grind my enamel, I do clench my jaw so much when my nervousness is dangerous, which may very well be the trigger. However the dentist stated if I did nothing it could doubtless get contaminated, probably inflicting an abscess and a a lot larger downside than a root canal and crown.
As a lot as I needed to disregard the issue, my fixed headache was so dangerous at that time that I simply made the appointment with the endodontist and hoped I not less than would not want a root canal. After having a severely damaged jaw in 2010 (the surgeon stated it was the worst damaged jaw he’d ever seen), needing two reconstructive surgical procedures, and having my jaws wired shut for six weeks, you’d assume that perhaps my dangerous luck with my enamel was over. However that may be too simple! It triggered a dental phobia, and I all the time dread going to the dentist.
Anyway, the endodontist was SO type. After taking extra x-rays and analyzing my tooth, he instructed me the worst information but… he stated that he was fairly certain that he would not have the ability to save my tooth in any respect. He stated that if I needed, he might begin the basis canal and attempt to save the tooth, however from his expertise he did not assume it could work. He really helpful extracting the tooth altogether.
The considered it made me really feel sick and I (embarrassingly) cried a bit of when he instructed me. Not solely am I frightened of any kind of dental work, I’m now additionally frightened of twilight sedation (which is what Eli had). I knew there was no approach I might endure the extraction with out the sedation although. He gave me a referral to an oral surgeon… and once I checked out it, it was the identical surgeon Eli had had. I stated there was completely no approach I used to be seeing him, so he referred me to a special one.
Because the endodontist did not assume he might save my tooth I did not need him to attempt, solely to get midway by way of a root canal earlier than needing it extracted anyway. I needed the least quantity of procedures doable. So I known as the oral surgeon and made an appointment for a seek the advice of, requesting IV sedation. I do know folks get extractions with out sedation, however there was no approach I might make it by way of that.
The oral surgeon was reassuring, particularly when he took a panoramic x-ray and noticed the plates in my jaw and realized how dangerous my dental phobia was. He was truly very shocked that I used to be by no means sedated once I obtained the arch bars eliminated (the metallic issues that held my jaw shut for six weeks) as a result of it is such a painful process. (I examine it to flossing with wire as thick as a paperclip.) I instructed him about Eli and he assured me that he is by no means had that occur to a affected person earlier than.
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| The panoramic x-ray seems to be fairly cool, proper?! |
He additionally gave me extra dangerous information. He defined that he extremely really helpful an implant the place I would be lacking a tooth–not for beauty causes, however as a result of my jaw bone might begin to degrade and trigger a complete host of issues with my different enamel.
At this level, I used to be simply so overwhelmed with all that was taking place. It began with a headache, and now I wanted a tooth extracted and implant to exchange it, adopted by a crown? I requested a ton of questions in regards to the process and if he might do it similtaneously the extraction (if I used to be already going to be sedated, I would quite get it accomplished in a single process as a substitute of two) and he stated yes–it’ll solely take one other 10-Quarter-hour.
My headache was nonetheless 24/7 (I am not exaggerating once I say that) and I used to be determined for aid. I made the appointment for the (very costly) dental process. And in about three hours from now, I will be getting IV sedation, having a tooth extracted and changed with an implant. It has to heal for 3 months, after which I will should get a crown.
My nervousness is thru the roof proper now. I do know this will sound like no large deal to most individuals, and why am I so frightened a few silly dental process? Most individuals have not skilled a damaged jaw I’ve and I really feel like my worry is legit. However I’ll do something to eliminate this headache. I’ve needed to eat on the left facet of my mouth for 2 months (which feels very unnatural) and keep away from something chilly. I have been stress-eating and have gained 12(!) kilos in two months. I simply need to get this over with and hopefully get again to regular.
Soooo, that is the place I’m at proper now. I hope the following time I write, it will be with out a headache and the extraction and implant may have been uneventful and boring. Right here goes nothing…
