The night before last, I was sitting here watching a movie, holding a couple ice packs on my face and trying not to think about this godawful long covid inflammation that returned on Sept 10—the day after my 2 1/2 hour dental appointment—when it hit me: was I the only one who experienced this?
I checked out my former Reddit hangout (Covid Long-Haulers) and did a search for relapses following dental work, and omigod—dozens & dozens of people suffering big relapses after (extended) visits to the dentist. One medical professional theorized it had something to do with a still overactive vagus (cranial) nerve, and high speed drilling and injections into the oral region while in long-term covid was a recipe for disaster.
I only wish I’d seen this before sitting in that dental chair for 3 hours.
I also wish I had an idea how long this is going to last. I was living with mild relapses pretty much daily, but they usually only lasted 30 minutes or so, 1-2 times a day. My last “big” relapse was in July, and lasted 4 days. This one (the most severe in over a year) has been ongoing for 2 weeks straight.
I’m sorry for sharing all of this again, I just wrote about it 2 posts ago. I’m just worn out and infuriated. I tried going outside yesterday for some sun & fresh air and it just made things worse. All I can do right now is keep reminding myself I got past this before.
I am seeing a little improvement with my feet at least, I’m able to walk on hard surfaces (like my dining room & kitchen floors) without shoes, as long as I’m wearing double-thick Gold Toe socks.
I don’t believe it has much to do with that shockwave therapy though. My third shockwave treatment is later today. During my second treatment last Wednesday, I asked the doctor if he treated many others with this foot disorder, he said yes, many. I said “Are they all fixable?” He said “I’m not going to lie to you, half of them have been coming here weekly for years.”
WHAT! I decided I had to be more pro-active about this.
I began watching so-called “plantar” specialists on youtube, and several days ago came across one doctor who said “If you’re experiencing burning sensations in your calves after a long walk, or the middle of the night while in bed, you need to start calf exercises right away. If you ignore your symptoms, they could develop into Achilles tendonitis, or worse yet, plantar fasciitis.”
Yep, that’s exactly what happened to me. I’ve been doing foot & calf-stretching exercises 3-4 times daily for 6 days now.
Anyway, that’s all I have right now. I may not be posting again too soon, I need to get past these issues a little more or get in a better state of mind at least. Yesterday a dear friend told me her sister was awaiting an organ transplant and it didn’t lessen my own discomforts any, but did help me see my own situation in a better perspective. Thank you as always for being here, take care, talk to everyone soon.
Keep moving...best advice ever. Don't sit for more than 30 minutes. Get up and move. Keep doing those exercises and find some more.
ReplyDeleteWe are at our kids' house for two weeks. I brought my weights and my yoga pad. I stop often during the day to do an exercise that has made a world of difference to my sciatica. I found, when we went to Oregon in June, that missing just one week of exercise, even though I walked a lot, was bad for my body. Took a couple of weeks to get back to feeling good. I know it's a bother to have to exercise, but wow, if you don't, you will pay dearly for it.
Thanks dkzody, I do keep myself active in a hundred different ways throughout the day.
DeleteI wish that information concerning studies with long range covid were more readily available!! I am sure that medical professionals are afraid to share their studies at this time, especially when they are just correlating the results and haven't reached a definite conclusion. I hope this bout ends soon. I can't imagine how miserable you are.
ReplyDeleteI am very disappointed with the shock therapy. I thought we had a fix for the feet. When I did my "dolphin" treatment I gave it three weeks. If people are doing this for years - it makes it sound like a waste of time.
You can rant and whine to us Dug. We get it. Please check in.
Thank you Miss Merry, I always appreciate your feedback very much. (Plus I know you speak from personal experience.) I'm glad we're friends.
DeleteSure wish I had some helpful advice, Doug, but can at least add my sympathy. ❤️❤️🦉
ReplyDeleteThank you Florence, gosh I've missed you--I hope all is well with you.
DeleteDug, I'm so sorry you're going through this again... and especially since the dental procedures may have caused it. Doctors and Dentists are going to need to ask more questions when it comes to long covid... so patients can be aware of possible problems. As for the feet issue, all I can say is that I agree that you do need to keep moving. If you stop the shockwave therapy, perhaps you could continue at home with tens? Thinking about you and sending virtual hugs!
ReplyDeleteI'm working on trying to lower my stress about this upcoming surgery. Not willing to take any stress releasing pills, so trying to use hot showers and nice relaxing cups of tea. ; )
Thank you Rian, I hope you know I've been thinking of you and your upcoming procedure every day. I admire your strategy here, I'm very much trying to do the same. Keeping a positive attitude and staying busy. And yes, you're right--more doctors and such need to be better aware of dealing with people with long covid.
DeletePlease don't feel like there are plenty of us out here very interested in hearing your stories, Doug. I am hoping that this will eventually resolve and you will tell your admirers how you did it and how long it took. You are nothing if not resilient.
ReplyDeleteMuch appreciated DJan, thank you. Every time I read one of your posts with the photos and long walks, it inspires me to want to get back out there again and get past all this. I hope SG is hanging in there.
DeleteThis is so frustrating and disheartening, Doug! I too wish I had magic answers. The dental connection makes sense but what are you supposed to do? Never get any dental work done?
ReplyDeleteThank you Margaret, and very good question--I was all set to have 2 implants inserted this fall, and right now that is off the table. All I can do is time this relapse, see if its short or long term. At least I got a bad tooth repaired and 5 fillings taken care of.
DeleteDoug, longtime reader here and a very long time since I commented. You've really been going through a lot and I'm sure keep getting all sorts of advice so I won't give any. I think though you made the right decision about putting off the implants. You deserve some relief.
ReplyDeleteThank you Jackie, your kindness and feedback is much appreciated.
DeleteI'm sorry to hear you are still suffering Doug. I can only imagine how frustrating it is for you.
ReplyDeleteApparently dental work can cause a number of issues. My friend Kathy fell and broke her arm on a bike trip. She had to have a plate (plastic, I think) placed in her arm surgically. No one advised her, and after some dental work, she ended up with a serious infection and had to have the plate removed. I don't recall all the details but the infection was introduced through the dental instruments. I do remember that she wasn't able to go on a trip we had planned because she required intravenous anti-biotics. I'm not a fan of dentists at the best of times, this didn't help endear them to me at all.
Good luck with the exercises, I hope you'll see continued improvement. One health issue at a time!
My goodness, Maebeme thank you for sharing this. I am very sorry for your friend Kathy, but this makes me feel a little less crazy. I really appreciate it.
DeleteHi Doug, you have really been through the wringer lately. Glad to read you are seeing some improvement in your feet. Take care!❤️❤️ Robin
ReplyDeleteThank you Robin, much appreciated. ❤️
DeleteWe’re beaming good thoughts in your general direction from all around the world.
ReplyDeleteThanks Peter, appreciate the kind words my friend.
DeleteI am so sorry. I have continued to follow you through many of your health problems, and feel so bad for you. I am hoping this one will end soon...today!
ReplyDeleteThis was so nice of you, thanks Dianne. I appreciate you taking the time to read my blog, I am very much looking forward to writing more positive, healthier stuff. Really, thanks again. 🙂
DeleteIn my prayers Doug, I really like spelling your name Dug! Anywho...pray for your complete healing. Dee
DeleteThank you Dee and I'm fine with Dug ☺️. Much appreciated.
DeleteWow Doug, you are going through a lot. Do take some time to get to a better place. I hadn’t read any blogs for a while because my son moved back from London a month ago and he is staying here for a while. I am scheduled for my skull based vascular surgery on the 28th. I had to have another mri and cardiac tests. I have two pre op appointments before surgery. My trigeminal neuralgia is worse and I am hoping they can completely relieve it and the hemi facial spasms. I still go to my senior center but have been saying no to a lot of activities I don’t want to do , and that felt great! Hang in there, I know it is rough. Joyce
ReplyDeleteJoyce, I'm glad to hear from you. And that's really nice about your son being here for a long visit too. I think about you all the time as I know you've been dealing with that trigeminal neuralgia, among other things. I'm so sorry things are worse for you, please keep me posted on medical updates.
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