Opinions on X-Ray

Been in pain since Friday, 2 teeth feel completely numb and pain is extending from my jaw all the way up to my eye socket and along my jaw bone in to may cheek. Went to Opticians and had an eye test every thing seems fine.

Went to the Doctors and was possibly diagnosed with Trigeminal Neuralgia and prescribed Gabapentin Milpharm 300MG 3 times a day, and Co-Codamol 500MG 2 tablets 3 times a day for the pain which is quite excruciating, bordering on unbearable think i have had only 5-6 hours sleep since Friday.

Went to the Dentists and had an X-Ray which they were concerned with regarding the shadow on my gum. I have been referred to the dental hospital for further study within three weeks. Dentist has told me not to worry because i have a sinus sack there and shadows happen quite often, just wondering as to any medically minded members opinions regarding my symptoms and the X-Ray picture?

To be honest im crapping a brick here, thinking the worst and wondering if i have oral cancer/gum cancer.

a reply to: andy06shake

I had a benign tumour on the roof of my mouth some years ago which was removed.It came from an infected tooth.(which is also gone)

My symptoms were:pressure in the sinus and right eye,stiff neck and my right ear wouldn't "pop".

I wouldn't worry too much about cancer,it's difficult to get.

Looking at it and considering it is near past dental work, the obvious thing to me is an abscess.

The dentist did not even mention that?

a reply to: Nexttimemaybe

Nope, said she was unsure what it was, and just a shadow, possible infection but no prescription of antibiotics have been issued.

It it was a tumor or cancerous growth would it not be more pronounced/solid mass?

All i know id the pain is completely off the scale and almost unbearable.

The Gabapentin Milpharm seem to help but they are making me completely drowsy and unable to do daily tasks.

a reply to: andy06shake

I agree with Nexttime.Abscess.I doubt a tumour would even hurt very much.

Had the same pains a month ago...
I was head butting the walls and tempted to punch my tooth out of my mouth...
Agony.

Antibiotics brought out the abscess...
Cocodamol death with the pain...

Finally the swelling and eye socket pain went and I've been fine ever since.
Was gone within 2 days.

Cancer I doubt.

Abscess that hasn't swollen on the outside of the gum is much more likely.

Get some antibiotics while you wait for 3 weeks...
Hopefully it'll be gone before you even see them again.


Well wishes to you.
Peace, Andy.

a reply to: andy06shake

Antibiotics would be my advice to you, they certainly won't do any harm. If it is an abscess you will likely get relief within a couple of days.

I would call your doctor or dentist and insist they prescribe you some.

I personally would not be concerned about cancer.

a reply to: andy06shake

I don't think you have cancer, but I'm no expert.

I am, however, somewhat of an expert (through experience) on Gabapentin. Now, everyone reacts differently, of course (varying body chemistry, diet, sensitivities, etc.), but, I was on Gabapentin for about 2 weeks for sciatic nerve pain. It didn't help - at least not noticably, but, it DID decimate my immune system for awhile (compromising the immune system is a side effect, cancer is a rare side effect.)

I had a plantar wart for probably 15 years, which I didn't realize was a wart, it was just a small mark on the bottom of my foot which never grew or bothered me. It grew like crazy suddenly. My hands were beat red. My nails stopped growing (I noticed a horizontal 'stop' line on every fingernail after they had started growing again.) My doctor told me the only side effect was "you might be a bit lethargic, but that's it." He didn't bother to tell me it's an immune suppressing drug with cancer as a potential (again, rare) side effect. I obviously stopped it, took a few months to recover from, etc.

Another thing, tolerance builds rapidly (like double-dose for same effect within a day or two, with a cap on effectiveness) - in other words, it's basically #e for helping with pain for the most part anyway, but it's easier to prescribe than opiates.

Obviously, this isn't the typical reaction, or nobody would take it. I guess I'm a "1%er" after all! Just wanted to give you a heads-up that it isn't exactly the most benign of drugs. I also have a problem with the fact that they don't actually know the exact mechanism of how it works for nerve pain. I like to know what anything I'm going to take is supposed to do, and how it goes about doing it.

Good luck, hope the resolution and the interim time getting to it isn't too painful and fully resolves quickly!

I hope you've read the side effects for the first drug, prescribed for a "possible" diagnosis, especially when what you've described is not spot on for that possible diagnosis. I'm so sorry you are going through this. Please get a second or third opinion and consider a holistic or complimentary opinion as well.

Good luck and keep us informed. We need you here, and we're all wincing for and with you.

a reply to: Hazardous1408

Called and asked why i had not been issues antibiotics and was told i dont need them because they have marked there referral as urgent because of the pain im in, but not to worry. These people really know how to exasperate the situation, now wondering as to why the referral is so urgent?

Managed to procure 3000MG of Amoxicillan myself, will try those over the next few days, here is hoping!

a reply to: ClownFish

"Good luck and keep us informed. We need you here, and we're all wincing for and with you."

You know what buddy the sentiment is actually quite appreciated!

Cheers for the support. Just hope it turns out to be an abscess and im just worrying because of the referral.

I have read the side affects to said drug, did nor relies it was an immune suppressant or that it also exasperates depression which i am also on medication for. Will ask my so called Dr for an alternative, even through im sure he is quite aware of my medical history. I have to wonder why prescribe it? Point of fact its the only thing, to date, that seems to elevate the pain.

originally posted by: andy06shake
a reply to: Hazardous1408

Called and asked why i had not been issues antibiotics and was told i dont need them because they have marked there referral as urgent because of the pain im in, but not to worry. These people really know how to exasperate the situation, now wondering as to why the referral is so urgent?

Managed to procure 3000MG of Amoxicillan myself, will try those over the next few days, here is hoping!

marked as "urgent because of the amount of pain you have had...but... they can't get you in for 3 weeks...for this urgent matter?...sign of the times...... I know someone who was having pain from wisdom teeth that nedded to be pulled, he had to wait 3 months to get in...anyway, .glad you got some antibiotics...let us know if that helped

Sounds like an abscess and if it is near a sinus, it can give you a headache from hell. I had those before. .

Just popping in for support. Around here, anything urgent is seen to quickly, not weeks form now. Usually anyway. I'm sure they said urgent because of the pain you are in and they want to find out what is causing it, which could be anything. Hang in there, you're not alone. You have people here who care and will be here for you.

a reply to: Hazardous1408

Have been taking antibiotics for 24 hours now and i have to say the pain in my eye and face seems to have greatly reduced, still feel a slight twinge and my eye socket and face, two teeth are still rather numb and my right eye still fells rather swollen but at least im no longer climbing the walls and contemplating jumping out a window because of the pain.

Then again its not even 9am yet and the pain does seem to increase as the day progresses, maybe report back around lunch time as to my condition.

Edit: Talked with my Doctor over the phone and made him aware that i had managed to procure some Amoxicillin that seem to be helping. He has prescribed me additional dosage. I also raised the issue that the Gabapentin was knocking me for six and also could possibly exasperate my depression, and the fact that it was an immune suppressant that we do not fully understand how it works with relation to pain. Asked for an alternative and he told me no. According to him thats garbage and i should keep taking them. Tell you this the only way i will be taking any more Gabapentin is if the pain becomes unbearable again.

I'm hesitating to say this, because it isn't the optimal short easy read, but damn it, I hate what you are up against here with those patronizing, one liner statements from your doctor(s).

Sometimes I'd like to see the medical profession tried for crimes against humanity.

Either your so called Doctor didn't read the insert, didn't understand what he read, or read it with closed eyes.

Knowing we had an alternative clinic, a top board (or was it bored?) certified neurologist at Mayo took one look at me in his waiting room and rolled his eyes. Once in the exam room he rolled his eyes again, hit my motionless knee with his little toy hammer, rolled his eyes again, watched the look of horror on my face when he told me to touch my nose and I kept hitting my cheek instead. He rolled his eyes a fourth time, took an audible big breath and said, "There's absolutely nothing wrong with you and any further testing would be a waste of my time. My advise for you is to save your money for acupuncture needles." ....The very next day I was admitted to Mayo with not one pulmonary embolism, but three and told I might not survive. Had I taken the drug they wanted to give me, I most likely would not have survived....When I checked myself out, against their additional bored board certified physician's recommendations, I wrote, in big letters on their chalk board:

Just say KNOW to drugs!

I'm not saying don't take their drugs or follow their advice. I am saying that they "no more than they know." And no one knows what's better for you than you. Follow your instincts when you are with them. You'll know who to trust if you trust yourself. Plus, silly as it may sound, the ATS Force is with you. You will be guided to the right medical professional. I've even seen them here at ATS.

a reply to: ClownFish

"You will be guided to the right medical professional"

Thing with that through mate, as i live in the United Kingdom, you pretty much require your GP to refer you to an applicable specialist. Which would seem the prudent measure rather than dishing out immune suppressant drugs like candy. You want to see the size of the box of Gabapentin they have given me, literally about a hundred capsules.

Anyhow its 13:50 now and my eye is still pretty much not hurting in the same manner it was the last few days, just the occasional twinge, two teeth still feel numb all the same.

a reply to: andy06shake

Good to hear you're improving, Andy.

Hopefully in the next couple of days it will be gone completely.
Still finish a weeks course of antibiotics to make sure but it should be painless experience soon enough.

I'm not sure about Gabapentin...
I'll refrain from advising what to do there.
At your own discretion I guess.

a reply to: andy06shake

Rules are rules. Guidelines are guidelines. They know how to connect the dots.

But don't you forget, that between every two points are an infinite number of points. Who knows Who or What "guides" them? I'm just saying...I've spent too many years believing what was and wasn't possible. Empowerment comes in all sorts of ways, including silent, inner ones.

I'm on your side and support you, no matter what. My apologies. You are in pain and the last thing you need is an esoteric comment. My bad...

....

a reply to: ClownFish

No your ok buddy, i appreciate the input.