Hi Jeremy,

I read your last post saying you are not feeling any better. Yea, I think you need to see the physician again.

My comment to you about the possibility of something being unnoticed or not mentioned by your dentist when referring to a possible infection during the removal of your one wisdom tooth simply meant that either it was undetectable or something that he felt was not significant enough to concern you about. This type of "communication" between a dentist and patient is very typical and not to be misunderstood as a deliberate withholding of important information. Not all problems encountered by the dentist are going to be mentioned to the patient if the dentist feels that the situation will remedy itself and the information is not worth worrying the patient over. However, in some cases the problem does not resolve on it's own and instead it grows more severe. You still have not established whether that is happening in your situation or not.

I asked if you completed the rx for the antibiotics because it is necessary to take the entire prescription to eradicate the bacteria and all too often people stop taking the meds when they feel better.

Some people have chronically inflamed tonsils and/or pus filled areas on their tonsils due to a number of reasons a couple of which are upper respiratory infections and/or sinus infections. Some people have deep nooks and crannies (called tonsillar crypts) in their tonsils that collect mucus and food debris which looks like pus, causes redness and irritation of the tonsils and makes the breath smell pretty bad.

The sores on your lip can be a complication from either an irritation, or a contaminated toothbrush (with bacteria from your saliva if you are ill), straw or utensil, or it could be a result of a compromised immune system.

The white tongue coating can be bacterial, thrush or food debris.

The swollen and tender glands in your neck, etc indicate that your lymphatic system is fighting off an irritating bacteria. It needs to be determined if it is viral or bacterial.

I asked how often you were sick because I am just getting the sense that your immune system may be a bit run down in general. To be honest, being sick a few times a years may be typical of many people but it indicates a sluggish immune system. We generally get sick when our immune system allows us to become host to the germs that are floating around. In other words, when the immune system is functioning healthfully we are able to fight off most of those germs and rarely become ill.

You mentioned that your gums are tender. Is this just in the area of the wisdom tooth site or gums in general? Do you tend to have bleeding or tender gums from time to time?

Bryanna

*** keep the jokes coming !






QUOTE=JeremyCML;1119927]Thanks so much for your help Bryanna,

I'll try to respond to your questions and comments as relevantly as I can:

"...there was most likely something brewing there." Although seemingly uncommon from what I've read, I've got a very thorough and helpful doctor. If he had noticed something, even something tiny, he would have pointed it out (Even if to say, "It's very likely nothing to worry about but...").

"Did you complete the antibiotic prescription..." I don't actually remember but I don't see any reason I wouldn't have. I know it's often a stressed point to continue use even after signs of feeling better. I'd put it at a high 90% I did complete my use.

"...if they are pus and not food..." I'm certain it's not food but white sores all over my tonsils. Looking up tonsillitis per your recommendation I saw I have eleven of the twelve likely symptoms according to WebMD. It also states children often feel abdominal pain which I experienced for the first time this morning (although I'm 22?).

"The fact that you believe it is spreading to your lower lip needs another evaluation." Can tonsillitis not spread to the lips? If it can't (and the wisdom tooth extraction infection can't) then I guess I have two canker sores along with whatever mess is going on.

"Did your physician put you on an antibiotic or tell you to just wait it out?" I didn't see my physician. The strep test was performed from a lab at Kaiser. However my mom is an advice nurse, though this is outside of her expertise, and she's encouraging me to wait it out.

"Is your tongue coated with a white coating?" Yes, there is a thin white layer across my tongue.

"Do you have any sores, other than on the lip, in your mouth?" No other sores than the two on my lip.

"Do you something have sinus, stomach or digestive problems?" Extremely infrequently.

"Do you have any swollen glands?" Yes, I can only turn my head about 45 degrees each way. Also, two points, one on the left and one on the right side of my jaw are slightly swollen and very tender to the touch. Lastly, on my right eyebrow is another swollen, more so than the jaw, and tender spot.

"Are you sick often?" I'm not sick very often. I'd guess about two or three times a year.

As far as I'm feeling, I only woke up one time each the past two nights which I'm extremely grateful for. Everything feels the same as yesterday except a little decrease in pressure from my ears. My gums are still so tender to the touch that eating anything more solid yogurt causes pain.

"Thanks for adding the joke..... ;-)" And here's another:
The only thing worth paying an arm and a leg for is the ability to regenerate limbs.

Thanks again,

Jeremy[/QUOTE]