Runs for Cookies: The Catalyst Headache

It began after I had COVID in September. Once 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 bought a headache. I might give up ingesting espresso the day earlier than, so I assumed it was as a result of caffeine withdrawal (my caffeine withdrawal complications are horrible and I at all times 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 at all times a sore throat. Certain sufficient, I bought extra signs and was down and out for just a few 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 completely satisfied that I by no means did–but my sinuses felt completely dry and I assumed that is what should be blamed for my headache.

The headache truly began to get even worse. It wasn’t excruciating or migraine-like, however it was there, continuous, 24/7. I began taking increasingly ibuprofen, 800 mg at a time, and it was barely touching it. I could not sleep. I bought 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 youngster retains tugging in your pants saying “Mama, mama” making an attempt to get your consideration the entire time and also you simply do not wish to interrupt the dialog.

Quickly my complete face was hurting, notably 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 might been avoiding the dentist ever since Eli had oral surgical procedure final December and awoke in the course of it, feeling each single factor the oral surgeon was doing to take away his impacted knowledge tooth.

Once I’d been sick, I used to be consuming popsicles across the clock as a result of they helped my throat. And the tooth on the best facet of my face had 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 tooth (Tom’s truly works fairly properly for that!). 

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, however it’s attainable I had a hairline fracture or one thing (which sounded horrible to me). And positive 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 must 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 need to get one other crown (actually, the basis canal was simpler than the crown). He stated since I used to be having plenty of ache, there was likelihood I might want the basis canal–otherwise, I’d 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 tremendous. How did I chew ice for like 15 years and by no means get a crack, then give up a yr and a half in the past and my tooth will get fractured? Whereas I do not grind my tooth, I do clench my jaw quite a bit 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, presumably inflicting an abscess and a a lot greater drawback 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 no 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 possibly my dangerous luck with my tooth was over. However that will be too straightforward! It induced a dental phobia, and I at all times dread going to the dentist.

Anyway, the endodontist was SO form. After taking extra x-rays and analyzing my tooth, he instructed me the worst information but… he stated that he was fairly positive that he would not be capable of 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 slightly when he instructed me. Not solely am I fearful of any kind of dental work, I’m now additionally fearful of twilight sedation (which is what Eli had). I knew there was no method I might endure the extraction with out the sedation although. He gave me a referral to an oral surgeon… and after I checked out it, it was the identical surgeon Eli had had. I stated there was completely no method I used to be seeing him, so he referred me to a distinct one.

For the reason that endodontist did not assume he might save my tooth I did not need him to attempt, solely to get midway by a root canal earlier than needing it extracted anyway. I needed the least quantity of procedures attainable. So I known as the oral surgeon and made an appointment for a seek the advice of, requesting IV sedation. I do know individuals get extractions with out sedation, however there was no method I might make it by that.

The oral surgeon was reassuring, particularly when he took a panoramic x-ray and noticed the plates in my jaw and discovered how dangerous my dental phobia was. He was truly very stunned that I used to be by no means sedated after I bought 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.

He additionally gave me extra dangerous information. He defined that he extremely really helpful an implant the place I might be lacking a tooth–not for beauty causes, however as a result of my jaw bone might begin to degrade and trigger an entire host of issues with my different tooth.

At this level, I used to be simply so overwhelmed with all that was occurring. It began with a headache, and now I wanted a tooth extracted and implant to interchange it, adopted by a crown? I requested a ton of questions in regards to the process and if he might do it concurrently the extraction (if I used to be already going to be sedated, I might reasonably get it executed 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 after I say that) and I used to be determined for reduction. 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 am going to need to get a crown.

My nervousness is thru the roof proper now. I do know this may occasionally sound like no large deal to most individuals, and why am I so frightened a couple of 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 do away with 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 wish 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 no headache and the extraction and implant could have been uneventful and boring. Right here goes nothing…