I just wanted to give a quick update on things, if that’s okay—the last few days wrestling with all this inflammation and crazy noggin pressure was making me pretty batty. I spent most of Saturday on the phone with my dear friend Erin, then did a repeat performance Monday night with my friend & former classmate Diana.
They were both so kind, I owe them both big-time. Thank you, thank you.
Early Tuesday morning, I called my PCP’s office and a kindly triage nurse let me explain what I’ve been wrestling with since January. She told me that my PCP was going to be at Mercy Hospital on Wednesday, get there bright and early and he would do an evaluation. I almost cancelled when I woke up to the biggest rainstorm Pittsburgh’s seen in 30 years, but made it to Mercy Hospital almost an hour early. I was dripping wet when I walked in there, but they got me a pair of scrubs and those comfy grip-socks to wear.
It turned out (luckily for me) they’d had a number of morning cancellations. My PCP and his 3rd year medical student saw me almost immediately, and because we were in a hospital and not his private practice, was also examined by an ENT (ear, nose, throat) specialist.
I have to say, that specialist was remarkable. He said “Here’s what happened. You had covid in December, you recovered from that. Then you got sick again with another virus or infection in a 2 week timeframe.” I said yes I should’ve remembered that. He said “That’s how your acute sinus infection became chronic.”
He said the good news was, my masseters (jaw muscles) looked untraumatized and the oral pain was from tissue inflammation, not muscle. So he didn’t see this being a TMJ issue (at least, not yet). The bad news was, the orofacial pain wasn’t going anywhere and could probably continue another couple months.
They gave me an antibiotic to be taken twice a day for 10 days, and a 10 day dosage of Naproxen. Also some prescription FLonase, and a saltwater concoction to irrigate my sinuses regularly.
I asked about the intense pressure in the front & sides of my head, my PCP asked if I was sure my vision wasn’t blurry. I said my sight was clear and he said “Good, then we can probably rule out a tumor.” Er… good to know.
It sounds like you will soon be on the mend, with all those concoctions to help you out. I look forward to hearing your continued adventure with this illness. And it's probably not a brain tumor, yay!
ReplyDeleteDjan, at the risk of sounding corny or square, thank you for my morning smile! 🙂
DeleteWhat a wonderful idea: we can probably rule out a tumor. We can also rule out leprosy. Measles. Heart problems. Pregnancy. Restless leg syndrome. Emphysema. Appendicitis. Hemorrhoids. Glaucoma. There is an awful lot you don't got! Yay!!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Anon, but I do wrestle with something on this list, I'd rather not say right now though :^)
DeleteFeel better soon.
ReplyDeleteThanks Mr. Anonymous :^)
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ReplyDeleteDug, glad you saw your PCP (and the others)... and hopefully the medicines they gave you will help. I have several friends that believe that Covid aggravated and intensified other problems that they had - and thought were under control. I will pray/think good thoughts that you will feel better soon.
Rian, thanks very much and my friend Diana said this same thing about covid and people she knows. I am ready for this to be over! Thanks again. 🙂
DeleteIt sounds like you have excellent medical care there. Good thing you went on, even in the rain, and found solutions and answers. A few months, though, sounds a terribly long time to live with the problem, but better than some diagnosis.
ReplyDeleteThanks dkzody--I did call my PCP about some kind of sinus condition and facial pain right after New Year, but he told me to use a spray called Afrin for 3 days first. i did do that, it seemed to help for awhile. Then a couple weeks later... oh well!
DeleteWell, your determination and tenacity, venturing out in the rain, clearly paid off in readily available medical attention! Now hopefully you will not get a cold from having wet feet (I am a great believer in the potentially dire effects of wet feet). ALSO I am a recent convert to irrigating sinus and nasal passages with saline; it is tremendously helpful to me with that winter clogged up nose business.
ReplyDeleteNow maybe a nice pot of chicken soup will be comforting?
Cheers,
Ceci
Ceci, thanks for the chuckle here but I'm not discounting your beliefs--I worried about the same thing yesterday when I was standing on the street corner waiting for that bus in the pouring rain. I'm glad I went to, for the simple act of having a doctor look in my ears, nose & mouth at the very least, and fyi I stopped at the store on the way home and got chicken noodle, tomato & broccoli & cheese Progresso soups! :^)
DeleteI agree with Ceci. A neti pot changed my life, really. PS: the anonymous up there celebrating that you weren't pregnant? Me. Trying to give you a laugh. Hope the naproxen is making life a bit more bearable.
DeleteHaha thanks Debby, you guys have talked me into getting one for real--my friend Erin swears by them too. And yes my friend, I knew that was you up there.. :^)
DeleteIf people got colds from wet feet, nobody would ever take a shower or bath...
DeleteI'm glad you got an answer, even though it isn't a particularly positive one. Two more months with these symptoms does not sound pleasant. Fingers crossed the antibiotics help reduce the infection quickly. (If not, go back to the doctor!)
ReplyDeleteThe addition of "it's not a tumor" is encouraging, though I don't suppose that had entered your mind.
Thank you Maebeme, you're very kind--and I'm not sure why but your last sentence here really gave me the chuckle I needed today! :^)
DeleteGood news about your jaw muscles being undamaged, Doug. Disappointing in the forecast of months of continued pain though. Sure hope the new prescriptions work their magic. "Probably" rule out a tumour must have left you spinning a bit!
ReplyDeleteThank you Florence, and spinning is right--I never considered a tumor! Well, my sister thinks the antibiotics will speed the pain along, I certainly hope so. I already feel better (mentally at least) for seeing a doctor. Hope you're well and I am looking forward to the next Buzz n' Flutter. :^)
DeleteRule out a tumor, ACK. I hate even the talk of that. I'm happy that you had such a thorough evaluation and were given a specific treatment plan. I hope that soon improves things for you!
ReplyDeleteThank you Margaret, the older I get, the less hangup I have about seeing a doctor. Just want to be normal again. 🙂
DeleteHi Doug, wow, wonderful you were able to see your PCP and a specialist so quickly. Finally a diagnosis! I hope the meds do the trick Doug and you won’t have a couple more months of pain. Take care.❤️❤️
ReplyDeleteRobin
Thanks very much Robin (and believe me, the quickness on their behalf surprised me too). I'm not going to let this continue another couple months either. 🙂
DeleteI was impressed at the vast number of counter-offers my last comment elicited. Old Dr. Stein would be impressed. The former head of Oral Surgery at CWRU, long since parted this earth, I'm sure.
ReplyDeleteChecking in this week, I'm glad to know that brain tumor is ruled out, too. Good luck surviving the several weeks of recovery. And a neti pot is a great idea. Even better is one my old Ear/Nose/Throat doctor gave me. It's a small plastic bottle with a cap that fits your nostril. You squirt the saline solution in one nostril and it runs out the other. You can buy it at the drug store and probably on line. I just looked at mine. It's called NeilMed Sinus Rinse.
Joanne, thank you so much. What you just described is what the ENT told me to look for ( but he didn't have the particular name). He told me it'd be as effective but less severe and that's what I will look for. Thanks again.
DeleteWell done. You got a thorough evaluation, diagnosis and treatment plan. You are on the mend. Thank goodness for that.
ReplyDeleteThanks very much Susan, much appreciated. 😀
DeleteThat’s great medical service! Glad you got some answers, and hope every day you feel some improvement. Olivia (newer reader)
ReplyDeleteThank you Olivia (and I agree about the great medical service! ) It’s nice to meet you, thanks for reading and your comment! 🙂
DeleteChronic sinusitis! Ouch! If you look up sinus cavities you wil see that your head has quite a few, 6 I think, two below the eyes, two above and two in the back of the head, if I remember correctly. I don't get infections, (only in my teeth) but I do get needle stabbing pain progressing to migraine from the upper front sinuses with heady perfumes, so I can imagine your pain quite well. I hope all those medications work quickly so you feel better real soon.
ReplyDeleteThanks River, and I didn't know we had 6 cavities up there--well, so much burning and soreness (esp in the morning like right now) I still wonder if it isn't TMJ. Just taking things one day at a time.
DeleteHahaha. Leave it up to you to make me laugh! Poor Dougie. What can I possibly say to make you feel better? Well, you're not dead, yet. That's as best as it can get. That applies to all of us. Keep going!
ReplyDeleteThank you Gigi, your comments always make me smile too :^)
DeleteOh my gosh, I am so glad you didn't cancel that appointment. The good news - Not TMJ. The bad news - chronic. It sounds like they got you sorted out even if it isn't the answers we want. And I hope they continue to keep an eye on you while it runs it's course. How frustrating for you. I do hope it all clears up sooner than later.
ReplyDeleteThank you Miss Merry, I appreciate your feedback. I feel almost guilty that I'm still wrestling with this, all I can do is take things one day at a time and hope for the best.
DeleteHey Doug sounds like you’ve been through hell and back! You were fortunate to see an ENT doctor so soon, I had to wait three months for my issues. I hope you are on the upswing once and for all and also see you soon, always need a few laughs. Turkey Flatbread Tuesday!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Mary! You'll have to tell me of your own experience, I really want to know. You're right about the ENT, that was purely a fluke as I was only supposed to see my PCP. I hope I see you soon too, I miss you (and a couple of the other kids) ;^) I don't want to miss our turkey flatbread, keeping my fingers crossed. :=)
DeleteHi Doug, I’m sorry to hear about the pain and agony. Getting out and to the hospital during a pouring rain sounds amazing. Your efforts sure paid off with multiple health care providers taking a look at you. Doug, you have a great ability to write up and share a story. I always enjoy your blog posts. Thanks for sharing! Hope your recovery goes well and FAST! 😊Take good care! John
ReplyDeleteThanks very much John, much appreciated what you said. I know this isn't fun reading, but I knew there'd be helpful feedback from all the smart, compassionate people out there.
DeleteDoug, You are very welcome. And you inspire me with your replies to comments. I tried that a for a while a couple of years ago and discovered that I just couldn’t keep up with it. It is time consuming! But it is much appreciated, at least for me, to get your take on the comments. Thanks again, John
DeleteHope you are feeling better now. Joyce
ReplyDeleteNo such luck yet, but thank you Joyce.
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