Dental Issues
 

Greetings all. Has anyone had any experience with an infection in old root canal? I had increased dose of IVIG on Monday/Tuesday and was feeling great feeling as if it had really really helped MG issues but on Wednesday I awoke with bad enough toothache that I immediately went to my dentist. She xray/observed inflammation referred me back to endodontist. I was supposed to go Friday but Wednesday night I couldnt sleep and on Thursday the pain was much much worse. Saw endo yesterday and he started Amoxicillin 500 mg x 3 per day. I declined pain meds (been taking 3 aleve each day) but not really helping at all. Gargling with salt water.

I am on prednisone 20 mg per day since September, Imuran 150 per day since December, Mestinon 60 mg x 12 per day and Mestinon 180 TS one per day (Synthroid and Cytomel also for thyroid)

Anyway this am the entire left side of my face is very swollen, pain is excruciating. I have call in to neuro (who as luck would have it is out of office this week) but I am concerned that this infection seems to be spreading very quickly (cheek into nose now swollen today/going into my sinuses?)

My night temp is running about 2 degrees higher than my normal which is 97.7 but seems to be normal during the day.

Any recommendations for pain meds that are well tolerated. Any recommendations/experience with this issue?

Thanks in advance for all the valuable insight and advice I always get from you all.

Steph

Hi Steph,

Owie, that sounds miserable. First, I don't believe we are any more prone to dental issues per se because of MG. Root canals can "act up" in anyone.

If I were you, I might run by your increased pain and swelling symptoms by your endodontist, to make sure it's within normal limits. I know dental issues can cause impressive swelling, but that in and of itself does not mean there is a complication.

As far as pain meds go, it's an individual thing. I have had to take vicodin/hydrocodone on several occasions and have had no issues. I even had morphine in the hospital a couple of times with no issues. Most of my friends who also have MG have taken vicodin, percocets, dilaudid etc with no issues. To be safe, just take the first dose during the daytime hours and at a time where you have someone around to help you if you do have any type of adverse event (feeling sleepy, woozy, a little "off balance" is considered a normal side effect and is not an adverse event.)

That's about all the info I can provide, having never had a root canal. My dh had what you have, however, and it resolved quickly with the help of the endo. I hope yours does, too.

Good luck!

FYI neuro said first priority should be to stop infection...gross but worked wonders - my endodontist cut open gum, drained and that combined with hydrocodone has helped lots!!

Re rate of spreading endo said normal...i am hoping recovery, healing will be as well.

Wow, Steph. That sounds terrible! I hope your tooth gets all better fast! I don't think there is much that is worse than dental pain.

Yay! Sounds like the worst is behind you. Yes, infection needs to be stopped, especially when it's one so close to your brain!

Rest and heal this weekend! Glad the hydrocodone is working for you!

Infection
 

Glad you are experiencing relief and praying you have a very speedy recovery!

Interested

Steph, So sorry you are feeling so bad. Have you had any improvement yet? What antibiotic and pain meds did they give you and did it affect the MG?

I have been putting off going to the dentist since the MG diagnosis. I know that MG complicates the numbing shots or anesthesia or pain meds they give you. If you find something that works well, let us know.

thanks
kathie

I had to have a tooth drilled out and fixed. The stuff they used to numb it didn't bother me at all.

Status
 

FYI I had about 4 or 5 root canal procedures in 2002 - 2004. About that same time I recall I also had a procedure which involved a old root canal that needed to be redone. At that time I remember thinking root cancal wasnt that bad so re-doing it shouldnt be a big deal but it was much worse. It was horrible and in hindsight was probably one of the first true MG responses. Anyway all that was enough to instill OCD type dental care on my part: waterpik, high end sonic toothbrush, brushing at least 3x day,etc.

Since MG diagnosis in August 2012 and subsequent I did continue my quarterly dental cleanings but declined the semi-annual 'deep cleanings" which I perceived as probably overkill/rip off anyway. Now maybe thinking that wasnt such a good idea and I will not skip deep cleaning again because 'maybe' that would have prevented this new issue.

Following increased IVIG dose infusions last Monday/Tuesday my MG issues were improved but I have been running slight fever so I am hoping the Amoxicillin 500 MG 3 times per day will work.

Also FYI I had been feeling like I was battling cold for about 3 weeks so now thinking maybe that was the oral infection starting...I have long term TMJ pain and I had noticed about 2 weeks ago some soreness but didnt think infection, rather thought was TMJ so I stopped my gum chewing.

The cut he did on Friday was just to drain/relieve but to fix issue he will need to re-do this old root canal. I see neuro on Thursday so assuming he clears me to get that done I am thinking best time to schedule is right after my next IV infusion which is every 3 weeks.

For the cut on Friday he used normal numbing agent and I had no problems (it worked and it wore off in normal time)
Any thoughts/insight is welcome. Thanks.