Originally Posted by Lizhasproblem

Hello,
I am going through extreme pain from a hard lump that has appeared on my cheek. Initially I went to a dentist because of a throbbing pain on the tooth. The dentist took some X-ray and explained to me that the tooth needed a root canal. The first day of the root canal, he dug deep into my gums & kept complaining on how he could not locate the third canal. He then asked me to come back the next day so he can try to find the missing canal. On that next day he dug again for almost two hours. My cheek on that side of face had by Now swollen. He sent me home to wait a day & to come back for bridging of the tooth. The next day I was at the ER with excruciating pain & a hard swelling on my cheek. The ER, who failed to manage my pain sent me back to the dentist in the morning. I asked the dentist to just remove the tooth which he did. He then referred me to the oral surgeons because of the swelling (the lump) that was not going away. The oral surgeon took X-ray & told me that there was some root canal rubber left on my canals but he did not think that it was the cause of my swelling or the hard lump that had formed on my cheek. After putting me on stronger antibiotics and making an incision into my inside cheek for the pus to drain. I did not feel anything draining for a couple of days & the pain persisted. Last night I went to ER again because the pain was insane. They did a CT Scan & informed me that the lump does not seem like it’s related to the root canal or the tooth extraction. Now they have sent me to an Ear, Nose & Throat oncology for a biopsy. The appointment is for the 20th February which is almost 6 days away. Meanwhike I remain in extreme pain from the lump and the pain is hardly responding to narcotic pain killers. I’ve been mostly relying on Tylenol since I’m allergic to NSAIDs.
After seeing other people complain about the same problem on this forum, I feel relieved that my case might not be related to cancer as I thought. One thing I noticed though, you have not advised other people with this problem to see an ENT. Why do you think that the ER is asking me to see the ENT oncology? Also the oral surgeon had recommended that I see the ENT prior to my going to the ER. I’m I being misled going to the ENT? I have no insurance so I do not want to waste money going to specialists that might not be able to help me. I just want to hear your thoughts on this referral.
Thank you so much for being here for all of us!