mrsP_97
01-24-2007, 04:09 PM
I have also posted in the ENT forum and Lymphoma forum--I'm not sure where to go--I'm looking for answers everywhere.
Hi there-I'm new to the forum. Any feedback/advice is appreciated. This is long, so please bear with me. Over the past year or so, my husband has been experiencing strange symptoms. It all started out like there was a toothache and ear pain. He has been to the dentist several times and they state he doesn't have any problems with his teeth that would indicate infection or need for a root canal. He then complained of jaw pain--achy, sometimes numb. Now for the past month he complains of neck pain ( maybe his glands)--his neck feels swollen and hot ( Mainly left side but sometimes whole neck) He has been to the ENT twice ( once after he got no answers from the dental visits early on) and this last visit a couple of weeks ago the ENT claims his nodes feel totally normal! He told him to try heat and Aleve for 10 days, and if that didn't give relief, get a CT scan. He just got the CT scan last Friday and has a follow up with the ENT on Monday. We are very nervous something is wrong--does anyone have any advice? Cancer? TMJ? Infection? I can't imagine that his lymphnodes are painful but not swollen? Maybe it's something else in his neck causing pain? We have the CT ex-rays but looking at them makes us more nervous--waiting for the DR appt on Monday is literally making us crazy. Please respond if you have any suggestions. Thanks.
Hi there-I'm new to the forum. Any feedback/advice is appreciated. This is long, so please bear with me. Over the past year or so, my husband has been experiencing strange symptoms. It all started out like there was a toothache and ear pain. He has been to the dentist several times and they state he doesn't have any problems with his teeth that would indicate infection or need for a root canal. He then complained of jaw pain--achy, sometimes numb. Now for the past month he complains of neck pain ( maybe his glands)--his neck feels swollen and hot ( Mainly left side but sometimes whole neck) He has been to the ENT twice ( once after he got no answers from the dental visits early on) and this last visit a couple of weeks ago the ENT claims his nodes feel totally normal! He told him to try heat and Aleve for 10 days, and if that didn't give relief, get a CT scan. He just got the CT scan last Friday and has a follow up with the ENT on Monday. We are very nervous something is wrong--does anyone have any advice? Cancer? TMJ? Infection? I can't imagine that his lymphnodes are painful but not swollen? Maybe it's something else in his neck causing pain? We have the CT ex-rays but looking at them makes us more nervous--waiting for the DR appt on Monday is literally making us crazy. Please respond if you have any suggestions. Thanks.
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Thelma-Louise
01-24-2007, 05:48 PM
There was no written report from the radiologist accompanying the CT scan? What was the CT scan of - his head or brain - did it include his jaws or his neck?
For many tmj sufferers that start out with the symptoms you have decribed usually an accurate diagnosis is only made once all other medical conditions are ruled out so this may take some time. TMJ is one of those conditions with symptoms very similar to other conditions and its not always due to a physiological dysfunction, it can also be muscular (which means its not visible on an xray) - so most people end up getting checked for lyme disease, MS and other automimmune diseases, salivary gland infections etc. and a host of other conditions - sometimes a patient will actually receive several different diagnoses from different drs - so it can be very frustrating. Many people go from ENTs to Neuros and Infection Disease specialists, etc - unfortunately if it is tmj the line between whether it is medical or dental becomes blurred. So please don't get alarmed if told it "could" be this or that without more conclusive follow up tests to confirm possibilities.
I think you need to meet with the dr first and then return here once you know a lttle more about the result of the CT scan.
If it offers any comfort, many tmj sufferers feel their glands and nymph nodes are swollen in the neck area, they can feel hot in the area as well and their necks can hurt. A numbing or tingling sensation may occur on the face, head or jaw area and their tongues may ache or feel swollen. You can find a complete list of the symptoms posted on an earlier thread at the top of the forum - not everyone experience all the symptoms - although some do - and the severity or intensity of the symtoms can vary for each as well.
When his symptoms first started - you mentioned an ear ache or tooth ache - was there any dental work done prior or after that? Has he noticed any change in his bite - how his teeth or jaw meet or difficulty chewing, swallowing? Did anything else occur during that time affecting his neck or back? Like a stiff neck or sore lower back or pinched nerve?
For many tmj sufferers that start out with the symptoms you have decribed usually an accurate diagnosis is only made once all other medical conditions are ruled out so this may take some time. TMJ is one of those conditions with symptoms very similar to other conditions and its not always due to a physiological dysfunction, it can also be muscular (which means its not visible on an xray) - so most people end up getting checked for lyme disease, MS and other automimmune diseases, salivary gland infections etc. and a host of other conditions - sometimes a patient will actually receive several different diagnoses from different drs - so it can be very frustrating. Many people go from ENTs to Neuros and Infection Disease specialists, etc - unfortunately if it is tmj the line between whether it is medical or dental becomes blurred. So please don't get alarmed if told it "could" be this or that without more conclusive follow up tests to confirm possibilities.
I think you need to meet with the dr first and then return here once you know a lttle more about the result of the CT scan.
If it offers any comfort, many tmj sufferers feel their glands and nymph nodes are swollen in the neck area, they can feel hot in the area as well and their necks can hurt. A numbing or tingling sensation may occur on the face, head or jaw area and their tongues may ache or feel swollen. You can find a complete list of the symptoms posted on an earlier thread at the top of the forum - not everyone experience all the symptoms - although some do - and the severity or intensity of the symtoms can vary for each as well.
When his symptoms first started - you mentioned an ear ache or tooth ache - was there any dental work done prior or after that? Has he noticed any change in his bite - how his teeth or jaw meet or difficulty chewing, swallowing? Did anything else occur during that time affecting his neck or back? Like a stiff neck or sore lower back or pinched nerve?
mrsP_97
01-24-2007, 08:06 PM
Thanks for the response--it was very helpful. I will get back to you with answers to the other questions ASAP. Just writing it out and getting a response from someone eases my mind somewhat.
mrsP_97
01-29-2007, 01:56 PM
Well, he met with the ENT today for follow up on the CT scan. Everything appeared normal--ENT and radiology report saw no problems with nodes or anything else. (Of course we were relieved at this, but now what to do?) He is going to follow up with an internist for bloodwork and the ENT referred him to an oral surgeon in the area who supposedly specializes in TMJ? Not sure what else to do next. Any suggestions?
SkiBone
01-29-2007, 02:54 PM
Sounds like you are one the right track!!!
Thelma-Louise
01-29-2007, 09:12 PM
See the OS - he should get at least tomogram or ICAT (dental cat scan) done to check the position of the tm joints and condyles but keep in mind that OSs specialize in surgery so be cautious if that is what is recommended as your first treatment option. There are other more conservative treatments that should be tried unless a physiological abnormality is very apparent or definitive. Also make sure you get copies of films, xarays, written reports, as well as getting in writing treamtent plans and associated costs - it will help should you have to go for 2nd opinions or additional consults down the road.
mrsP_97
01-30-2007, 09:48 AM
Thanks everyone for the continued responses. He is planning to make an appt today for the OS and his internist. I'm hoping something will work out so we can get started on the road to recovery. He is not one to post on message boards, so I'm trying to investigate for him. It is hard, because I'm not exactly sure what he's going through. From the information I've given you, it looks like I'm in the right place since many of you have similar experiences. Thanks for sharing your experience and knowledge. I will continue to update and visit the board for info!