For about 2 years I've had swollen glands and throat and ear pain and pain in my jaw. I went to a TMJ specialist and he said that it is not TMJ -- the problem I have is that I have a very high sed rate and white blood count and a constant fever of 100-101. The doctors said that this indicates inflammation and infection, but they can't find out where it is. Then I went to an ENT and he thought I had cancer, but then he came back and said no. So, then went to another ENT he said that it could be an inflammed carotid artery, but that is not an easy thing to fix and sent me back to my regular family doctor. Well my family doctor sent me to a specialist at the IU Medical Center. He looked at it for all about 5 minutes and said -- it's an inflammed carotid artery, take this Naprosyn for 2 months then come back and see him. Well, I got a little side-tracked in going back to see him because of an accident. But, it has not gone away. Now that I am once again able to travel, I have an appointment with him in May. I've tried to do searches on the internet to find out all about this and there is not much to tell. How serious is this? Does anyone know of someone that has or had this and how do you get rid of this? It seems a little scary, especially when they mention artery. The doctor said that it's not a blocked artery, it is inflammed from the outside. What does that mean? Any help is greatly appreciated.
Your experience sounds so much like my own adventure through the never ending diagnostic dessert. Two years and 6 months ago, I had all my wisdom teeth extracted. It was very painful, and I had a difficult recovery. My health has never been the same since that dreadful oral surgery. 4 days after that I had a stroke like episode. I went to ER and nothing was found. ER staff thought it was a reaction to some pain medications. Symptoms had not recovered several days later. After 5 days, a neurologist could not find anything and he agreed with the ER staff. Now 2 1/2 years later I still do not have all the answers. They did find that I have Rheumatoid Arthritis. AFter I had another stroke like episode on the other side, an MRA finally showed that I had some narrowing in my carotid arteries. The report stated that it was not hemodynamically significant. Meaning that my blood was passing through the arteries fine. I have had two TIA episodes. It was hemodynamically significant then. So the docs have blown it off. They did give some cholesterol lowering meds. I believe that I am developing osteoporosis which happens when there is chronic inflammation in your system. I still have a sore, tender, puffy, reddish tinted neck in the front. Doctors seem to think it is because of my cervical spine. I believe it is because of my carotid arteries. I have been fighting this battle for so long. Doctors have not believed me. i am no longer able to work. I have an appt with a neuologeon surgeon in two days. I just want to find out for sure what is causing this inflammation in my neck. Is it my spine or arteries? Why did it start right after my oral surgery?
I hope to find some answers soon. Does anyone have any ideas?
Re: Inflammed carotid artery 
