Amason27
10-02-2003, 11:12 AM
I'll have to give some background here, so apologies for the length of this post.
I have three life-threatening allergies, all of which manifest as anaphylaxis and all of which are delayed after exposure by at least several hours. The first is to capsicum, the second to all steroidal medication and the third to a chemical called Phenol. This is not 'Chemical Sensitivity' as such, but a true allergy, according to my doctor. It happens (probably along with the other two) because I lack the liver enzyme to process the toxin, therefore the liver throws the substance back into my system tagged as an antigen. As such, whether I breathe the chemical or ingest it, the effect is the same.
Phenol (carbolic acid) is found in all synthetically-perfumed products as well as most disinfectants, antiseptics, gloss paint, waxes, petrol... and a very great number of dental products.
For many years, this allergy was not so serious, resulting 'only' in symptoms which were misdiagnosed as ME/CFS. I found the cause myself 4 years ago and returned to near-perfect health. A year ago, my dentist (who knew of my allergy) inserted a temporary filling full of Phenol and two of its derivatives into my mouth. 20 hours later, I nearly died. Since, the reaction to the chemical has become so much worse that I can't even spend an hour in the average house without becoming very sick; suffice to say, a dental surgery (or hospital) is now out of the question - especially since one of the automatic treatments for anaphylaxis is something to which I'm also terribly allergic...
I was always particularly good at keeping my 3-monthly dental/hygienist appointments because, for some years, I've had problems with gum disease and moderate periodontis. I keep my teeth scrupulously clean, brush alternately with bicarb and hydrogen peroxide, floss and inter-dental brush every day, etc. I take plenty of high-quality, absorbable Vit C. Every dentist I've seen has started off by telling me that gum disease is only ever caused by lack of oral hygiene and tooth staining only by heavy consumption of wine, cigarettes and coffee. I now live in the South of France, in the wine region; my last dentist had to pick her jaw from the floor when she saw the build-up one week after cleaning. I don't drink red wine, smoke or drink coffee... every dentist has agreed that I shouldn't have the gingivitis problem that I do. The one who nearly killed me did a great job of my gums beforehand... but unfortunately, one year on, the problem is reaching unlivable proportions again and has developed.
ATM, my entire mouth is inflamed, some of the gum line - directly above some teeth - appears whitish, whilst the familiar redness and red-hairlines have reappeared between teeth. I have a lump, which I think has only appeared in recent days, about half a centimetre above one of my front teeth. It's hard and non-circular and doesn't hurt in itself. Meanwhile, all my teeth feel as though they are about to simultaneously drop out; they hurt, as in sensitivity, but do not particularly react to heat, cold or pressure. To say this is driving me nuts would be a great understatement. And, of course, I am pretty much on my own with it.
I am pretty certain that this is caused by a(nother?) allergy, although any mention of this to a dentist has been poo-pooed, albeit that they can't come up with a better explanation. There is no genetic tendency towards gum disease at all. Or could it be that I'm reacting to the slow leaching of phenolics in old amalgam fillings (I have five, including a root canal)? Does anyone have any experience of similar problems? Could it be a bone infection and, if so, what can I do? And what of this odd lump? I'd be extremely, extremely grateful for any assistance or suggestions...
Regards
Alpha
[This message has been edited by Amason27 (edited 10-02-2003).]
[This message has been edited by Amason27 (edited 10-03-2003).]
I have three life-threatening allergies, all of which manifest as anaphylaxis and all of which are delayed after exposure by at least several hours. The first is to capsicum, the second to all steroidal medication and the third to a chemical called Phenol. This is not 'Chemical Sensitivity' as such, but a true allergy, according to my doctor. It happens (probably along with the other two) because I lack the liver enzyme to process the toxin, therefore the liver throws the substance back into my system tagged as an antigen. As such, whether I breathe the chemical or ingest it, the effect is the same.
Phenol (carbolic acid) is found in all synthetically-perfumed products as well as most disinfectants, antiseptics, gloss paint, waxes, petrol... and a very great number of dental products.
For many years, this allergy was not so serious, resulting 'only' in symptoms which were misdiagnosed as ME/CFS. I found the cause myself 4 years ago and returned to near-perfect health. A year ago, my dentist (who knew of my allergy) inserted a temporary filling full of Phenol and two of its derivatives into my mouth. 20 hours later, I nearly died. Since, the reaction to the chemical has become so much worse that I can't even spend an hour in the average house without becoming very sick; suffice to say, a dental surgery (or hospital) is now out of the question - especially since one of the automatic treatments for anaphylaxis is something to which I'm also terribly allergic...
I was always particularly good at keeping my 3-monthly dental/hygienist appointments because, for some years, I've had problems with gum disease and moderate periodontis. I keep my teeth scrupulously clean, brush alternately with bicarb and hydrogen peroxide, floss and inter-dental brush every day, etc. I take plenty of high-quality, absorbable Vit C. Every dentist I've seen has started off by telling me that gum disease is only ever caused by lack of oral hygiene and tooth staining only by heavy consumption of wine, cigarettes and coffee. I now live in the South of France, in the wine region; my last dentist had to pick her jaw from the floor when she saw the build-up one week after cleaning. I don't drink red wine, smoke or drink coffee... every dentist has agreed that I shouldn't have the gingivitis problem that I do. The one who nearly killed me did a great job of my gums beforehand... but unfortunately, one year on, the problem is reaching unlivable proportions again and has developed.
ATM, my entire mouth is inflamed, some of the gum line - directly above some teeth - appears whitish, whilst the familiar redness and red-hairlines have reappeared between teeth. I have a lump, which I think has only appeared in recent days, about half a centimetre above one of my front teeth. It's hard and non-circular and doesn't hurt in itself. Meanwhile, all my teeth feel as though they are about to simultaneously drop out; they hurt, as in sensitivity, but do not particularly react to heat, cold or pressure. To say this is driving me nuts would be a great understatement. And, of course, I am pretty much on my own with it.
I am pretty certain that this is caused by a(nother?) allergy, although any mention of this to a dentist has been poo-pooed, albeit that they can't come up with a better explanation. There is no genetic tendency towards gum disease at all. Or could it be that I'm reacting to the slow leaching of phenolics in old amalgam fillings (I have five, including a root canal)? Does anyone have any experience of similar problems? Could it be a bone infection and, if so, what can I do? And what of this odd lump? I'd be extremely, extremely grateful for any assistance or suggestions...
Regards
Alpha
[This message has been edited by Amason27 (edited 10-02-2003).]
[This message has been edited by Amason27 (edited 10-03-2003).]