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http://mastcelldisorders.wallack.us/yabb/YaBB.pl General Mast Cell Disorders Discussion >> Symptoms >> Swollen lower jaw below last molar or swollen lymph node? http://mastcelldisorders.wallack.us/yabb/YaBB.pl?num=1336865730 Message started by PJP123 on 05/12/12 at 12:35:30

Title: Swollen lower jaw below last molar or swollen lymph node?
Post by PJP123 on 05/12/12 at 12:35:30

I woke up yesterday feeling like I had a bruise on lower left jaw. It's gotten progressively more tender and swollen. I also have ringing in the ears (still). I went to a hematologist last Tuesday and he's doing some blood work and I have to do another 24 hour 5-HAA (not sure spelling).

He's the head of hematology and oncology at a local hospital and isn't familiar with MCAD. I told him I'm trying to get a local doc to coordinate my care so Dr. Castells will see me. He said that autoimmune chronic urticaria people are usually seen by immunologists. I explained my doc was very unsympathetic to my plight and he listened to everything I had to say regarding MCAD. He will do what it takes to get me there. He also said my face looked like carcinoid syndrome and added but I doubt it.

I'm panicked now that my jaw is swelling.
Why do these things always happen on the weekend.
Hospitals don't do dental work so I have to wait until Monday.

Anyone with additional thoughts besides tooth abscess?

Thanks

Title: Re: Swollen lower jaw below last molar or swollen lymph node?
Post by Joan on 05/12/12 at 18:07:41

There are usually dentists on call on weekends, if you think it's an abscess. Your dentist's office might have a recording or answering service that can help you find someone. If not, the ER might have a list. Infections can trigger MCAD, so it'll be good to find out what it is soon. It's good that you've found a sympathetic doctor. Also good that he's doing the tests to rule out carcinoid once and for all.

Hope you feel better.

Title: Re: Swollen lower jaw below last molar or swollen lymph node?
Post by Anaphylaxing on 05/12/12 at 21:48:29

So sorry you're having this trouble.

ENT docs will also assess you if it's an abscess. If you can feel a lump you could get an ultrasound of it to see what it is. Do you have any lumps anywhere else?

Could be a lymph node which can pop of for a million reasons. It's good that it's tender as far as not having to worry about the cancerous types of lumps which are generally painless. I have a cluster of prominent lymph nodes that have been there near my jaw since about a year before all of my symptoms started. They bug me and I feel I must have some local inflammation causing them but not doc has ever been too excited about them. I had an ultrasound of them, but I'm not about to get them excised or anything since they're stable

do you have a fever? Have you had any recent dental work? Is there any skin redness?

Hope it goes away soon!

Title: Re: Swollen lower jaw below last molar or swollen lymph node?
Post by PJP123 on 05/13/12 at 09:25:24

No fever, no redness. I took amoxicillin 500 mg. 2x yesterday and the swelling is down a bit. I think it is a bottom molar gone bad. The dentist's # is busy all day today. Strange. I'm going to get an appt. hopefully tomorrow morning.

Title: Re: Swollen lower jaw below last molar or swollen lymph node?
Post by PJP123 on 05/14/12 at 02:40:18

Just back from the dentist. Infection in gums, need bottom last molar extracted and tooth next to it needs root canal. Dentist said I was told this 4 years ago by a specialist he referred me to (because I had to be cleared by him because I wanted braces at 47 years old)

I had 2 markers for Lyme Disease in 2 different tests and re-read my notes last night which said P23, P66 may be present with periodontal disease. Finally got my answer to that one.

Now I need to tie this back to the "unusual spindle pattern" detected in my ANA results.

Can't have tooth pulled for 3 weeks cause the doc has no openings. I have mitral valve prolapse. Hope I don't die in the meantime.

Title: Re: Swollen lower jaw below last molar or swollen lymph node?
Post by DeborahW, Founder on 05/14/12 at 04:43:11

Ummm. It sounds like you need a new a new dentist. Telling a patient to wait 3 weeks when you have a current problem isn't impressive in my book.

Title: Re: Swollen lower jaw below last molar or swollen lymph node?
Post by kimtg68 on 05/14/12 at 15:45:31

I agree with Deborah. I would be changing dentists like yesterday! That's definitely something I've learned well with the whole search for answers before being diagnosed......picking up that vibe from doctors when you know they aren't going to help you or they really don't care.....move on to another.
QUESTION: ANA, you mentioned lymph node issues and thought you had local inflammation causing it. I have had a groin lymph node swollen and very tender/achy for two months now. I also have a torn hip labrel on the same side that I know is causing inflammation. I just never put the two together. Partly because my armpit lymph nodes often ache so I blamed mast cells since testing for lymphoma was normal. So Ana, general inflammation unrelated to infection can still cause swollen, tender lymph nodes?

Title: Re: Swollen lower jaw below last molar or swollen lymph node?
Post by PJP123 on 05/15/12 at 11:43:58

I was able to move it up to 3 days by going to a different office location. This isn't my primary dentist, it's a practice for mouth surgery 2ith 6 doctors and 3 locations. That's how busy they are.

Title: Re: Swollen lower jaw below last molar or swollen lymph node?
Post by Rick on 05/26/12 at 14:56:46

I had a similar problem a couple of years ago. Prior to my diagnosis. Sore jaw and lymph node. My dentist did x -rays and said there was no problem, my internist did blood work-up and found no problems. I decided to go to an oral surgeon and had him remove an impacted wisdom tooth on that side. It took awhile to recover but the jaw soreness went away.