These words were spoken to me by my oral surgeon's nurse on Feb 8, 2017. I thought I was breathing as people ran franticly around me with oxygen tanks on standbye....
Oral abscesses will make your immune system go out of control. Not only did "unknown abcesses" cause my RA to go out of control, it gave me heart problems. As of wednesday June 14, my rheumy is leaning towards my botched dental work as the reason for my RA. He will write a paper from the University of British Columbia about me if I keep improving. I had 2 unknown abscesses for 10years in my mouth caused by my dentist.
Since having an extraction and a redo root canal done by an endodontist, I am on the mend. An oral abscess can kill you.It tried & almost succeeded to kill me.... I will never forget the oral sugeon's assistant leaning over me, rubbing my arms, looking into my eyes and saying "Breathe Suzanne breathe, Come on Suzanne I need you to breathe"....I thought I was breathing....Today I am on the mend.
Abscesses on root canal teeth are caused by an inept dentist or an inept busdriver...Never allow your dentist to dismiss your claims of pain or "something isn't right"after a root canal...Have your busdriver do it,.at least you will pay less and suffer just the same....both a busdriver & dentist have the same ability to do root canals...., as a matter of fact, the lady asking you "....Do you want fries with your cheese burger?" has the same credentials..... Endodontist should only perform root canals. We've been fooled by our dentists here in Canada. They take our money & they give us infections and possible death. It's also looking like they can give us symptoms of Rheumatic diseases ..... shame on them.
Yes, very frightening. To know I went through this 4 months ago just seems so unreal. When I reread my post, I can't believe I went through that. I was so close to death in February, I had no energy to breathe, I feel broken.
So sorry to hear of your dental experience. I have had a fear of dentists since I was a child. I don't know if tooth abscesses can be the cause of RA, but I know I seem to have had more since being diagnosed with RA. I did once have a terrible experience when living in Scotland - the dentist gave me a filling that I didn't really need, after which I suffered excrutiating pain for months. When I went back to the dentist he couldn't decide what was wrong and I had to go to the dental hospital where I not only lost the tooth but also a lot of flesh from with the wound. No apology forthcoming, didn't use that dentist again. It seems that in the UK dentists will pose a crown without doing removing the nerves (root canal), now in France I have had crowns removed (due to abscesses) so that the root canal work be done and then a new crown fitted. Seems there is no world wide standard training for dentists, yet they charge a fortune for their work.
I don't mean to imply dental abscesses are the cause of RA. I sell beer for a living, I will leave the reason why RA develops to the scientists to figure out. What I will say is that years of having dental abscesses can mimic RA symptoms.
Sounds like you had a horrific time with dentists. In Canada they also will give you a crown without a root canal. Dentists don't have the credentials to perform such dangerous proceedures as root canals, but they will take your money here.
My root canalled dental abscesses were caused because my dentist didn't remove all infected tissues. She wasn't qualified to do root canals, no dentist is. Endodontist have the education and the credential to do them...Anyways my dentist left some infected tissues in my root canal that went gangrene. The toxins entered my bloodstream..... My GP is amazed and says I'm lucky that it didn't cause a brain infection..During my redo root canal, the endodontist pulled out a 10yr old gangrene tissue and my ankle immediately reattached itself to my foot.
I don't believe root canals are the cause of RA. I do believe root canals can mimic RA if an untrained person performs them....such as a dentist, busdriver, pizza delivery driver, McDonald's employee, etc. Just because a person is a dentist and wants your money, does not mean they are qualified to perform root canals. A good dentist will refer you to an Endodontist.
What a frightening that must have been. Glad you are improving now. My friend keeps telling me to see a hygienist now because the drugs we take for RA destroy your teeth.
Yes, RA drugs can destroy our teeth. We all need to see a dentist & hygienist. My new dentist & hygienist are horrified at what my locally "famous" dentist did to me. Just because Dr._ _ _ has a fancy & expensive looking office doesn't mean she is a good dentist.
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I had a top dentist in London's Harley Street as a child because my mum had sat on an NHS dental complaints board and been horrified by what she heard.
This supposedly top notch guy had to see a lot of me because I'd been so poorly as a very young kid (Measles, chicken Pox, Mumps and whooping cough one after the other) that I had very little enamel. Not to mention that all my hair all fell out when I was nine so something untoward was occurring with my immune system even then. He gave me root canal when I was 17 and failed to spot a hidden root when then turned into a massive abcess. The crown also kept dropping off and I seemed to be going in and out of Harley Street forever at my mum's expense and he kept apologising and blaming my weak teeth.
Years later I had to have more root canal under a neighbouring crown on the NHS. This time it was done by a Czech dentist on my Scottish island, who looked like Nicholas Cage and was truly a fabulous dentist. He went back home after Brexit though which is good for the Czechs of course but not so great for the NHS.
So which came first for me - weak teeth or Sjögren's - or was it the Measles perhaps? Whatever -I would never trust private over NHS now - even if I could afford it.
I do hope that getting your mouth sorted out now will help your RA though 🤞🏽
Hi Sue. I'm tickled pink that you are doing so well now after such a dreadful time. I've been wondering how you were getting on. Long may your improvement continue. Hugs
Any severe infection can kill anyone, like wise a splinter or even a sore throat can turn nasty. I don't proffess to understand how bad your dentist is as mine in the UK is great. I've got fillings, a bridge and had several root canal's done no problem with anything. Perhaps it was just the wrong dentist ?
Every time I read about your dental experiences I feel as if I should shoot off to my dentist.....but as he is two hours drive away I resist....especially as there is nothing wrong with my teeth except Old Age!
You really were so unlucky to choose that dentist......I do hope there will be some sort of investigation of his competence!
However, I am so pleased you are at last on the mend!
Forecast to be 90°F again today.....guess I'll just have to do nothing but sit in the garden all day again! Bliss!
Oh my goodness Suzanne, I am so glad you are ok and recovering. So many times I have heard of people struck down by complications from a dental abscess. I live in the US and have experienced some pretty horrific things in a dental office and it wasn't until I required emergency dental surgery that I found an amazing oral surgeon. I also have an incredible endodontist that does my root canals when they pop up. The first root canal she did for me was done quickly and virtually painlessly. Thankfully it's been years since I had to have one but the difference is I leave there with minimal pain unlike the dentists who left me in agony for days. Another issue I have is I am incredibly hard to get numb as many redheads are. It takes a particular cocktail to get me sufficiently numb and my endodontist really did an amazing job coming up with something that works.
Sorry for rambling on, as I said I am so happy to know you are safe and on the mend.
I have a long history of dental issues. There are a number of articles which link RD with Peridontal Disease. Both are linked to Cardiac events. So sorry you had to endure so many complications.
Sorry if I have been rather negative lately. I try not to get into that type of head space. I also do everything possible not to cry as it worsens migraines.
It is definitely challenging but communicating helps. It is good to talk to people who do understand. I also prefer to focus on anything but my body.
I am looking for a new dentist in Maple Ridge, BC. If anyone knows someone they trust please share.
I am looking forward to upcoming week. It should be ☀️ 😎
It may not change body but certainly helps state of mind.
Yes, both my GP & Rheumy says their is a connection between periodontal disease & RA. They just don't know what comes first gum disease or RA. I never had periodontal disease in my life as my gums are healthy. My problem was I hated the taste of toothpaste as a child and I always battled with my mom about me brushing my teeth....what a fool I was as a child. Anyways I needed this root canal in 2006 because an old filling from the 1970's broke. I developed an abscess waiting for my dental appointment. My dentist didn't clean out one of my roots. She also put hydrogen peroxcide on my tooth to kill the infection. Then she cemented a crown on it a week later. She did such a good job of cementing the crown that the gangrene tissue had no way to escape except through my blood system.
Anyways, my endodontist recommended my new dentist because he said she always refers her patients to specialists. My endodontist is against dentists doing more work than what they are trained for. ...One would think that is just common sence...sadly not in Canada.
My new dentist is located in the up & coming "Surrey City Centre" area..... otherwise known as the scary Whalley area. I do hold tightly onto my purse and walk past the junkies when I go to this dentist...But with the new SFU campus, the new City hall & police station almost occupied there, it will be a safe area soon.
Ooh. Ahhh. Errrm. Shall I reply to all the points above?? Nah. It's late. I've had a couple of beers. And I'm working early tomorrow and got a long trip home.
Thank you Marie, but I'm not brave or courageous. I was a victim pure and simple... but now that I'm getting my strength back, I am mad as hell at what happened too me.
Thanks Marie. I saw my rheumy on Wednesday & he looked at my swollen knee. He then asked me if the steroid injection he gave me in March helped. I said,
"no, but I did have the rare side effect of Jesus talking to me" thank God that side effect went away, I will never allow anyone to give me steriods again.
Anyways he then said my swollen knee has nothing to do with RA as the steroid did nothing. He was very impressed at how well I am doing now. He then picked up a microphone and started to talk into his computor. Everything he said to his computor related to dental abscess & RA symptoms. He then said I should be RA free by the end of September. He looked excited that he was able to do a paper & maybe have it published at our University.
I asked him why my knee was still swollen. He said I needed to have my GP take a sample of fluid from it to see what it is. ???? I asked him why can't he do it. He then told me it wasn't his job. ???? I'm angry.
That is a great example of what makes me crazy. Doctors abdicating responsibility to other doctors. If Rheumy is suppose to be the lead or primary care physician is everything not their responsibility? I would think a swollen knee would qualify?
I took part in Fraser Health study yesterday. They want to design an OT and Physio specifically for people with RA(RD). I had plenty to say. I am appalled at the lack of support services. I am fortunate in that I have been a Financial Planner for twenty years. I was able to survive the financial disaster brought on by my disability. Losing two incomes is devastating. Then there is the mountain of beaurocracy that comes with chronic illness. I believe that any new diagnosis should be followed with a peer counsellor. Someone with your disease who can help you navigate the onslaught that comes with said diagnosis.
We have a unique membership. If there are 650,000 people in BC alone with RD then we have an incredible pool of resources within our membership. Such a waste of skill and resources.
I am truly thankful that the UK allows people from other countries to participate in this NRAS forum. I would be a "babbling crying fool" without the support of the NRAS...But why do we Canadians have to look to the UK for support? Utterly disgusted with Fraiser Health's inability to help the victims of RA.
Hey Suzannedale, ironically I participated in a Fraser Health study yesterday. They are building an OT and Physio program specifically for RD patients. The study was to determine what patients feel is needed. I had a lot to say.
I am certain I am not alone. Again seems to me like this current political climate is a perfect time to get the services we need. The six to eight weeks waiting for support is crazy but I feel what I needed was a peer counsellor first. I was overwhelmed with all the beurocracy . With MSP, insurance companies, Best Doctors Ext. I got no information from health care other than this silly brochures.
Fortunately, I found this site while doing my research. I concur that this is the best site available. I want to hear from people living with this nightmare. I truly do not believe anyone else can truly grasp the reality. This is the one place that truly gets it. Just as I feel a peer counsellor is essential.
If we have 650000 people in BC alone then that is clout but also resource. I am certain I am not alone. It seems such a waist of talent. How many of us have an education and life experience that have been discarded. I may not have a lot of good days but with today's technology one can accomplish a great deal without leaving home. I think that focusing on anything other than pain is beneficial.
I personally hate this isolation. I would love to focus on helping someone else. I would have and still would like to be able to talk to someone else who understands . Just to get out of your head helps.
I am looking for ways to get involved with research and now with developing a peer counselling service. I also know we could use a Financial Planner as well. We need one that specializes in tax planning with and for disabilities. I will focus my efforts in these area's as it is what I know best.
Hopefully this will distract me from my own situation. I see my Rheumatologist July 5th. I have deferred Rituxan infusion until then. This will verify that the drug has had no effect whatsoever.
I am not leaving without an actual treatment plan. July marks my second anniversary and we have never discussed where we are going . I am not apposite to taking drugs as long as they are useful. I see no point in taking drugs which do nothing, good. I also hate no treatment. Poor doctor has an uphill climb lol
My CRP remains low but disease activity is extreme. My hips are so bad I can not make it around the block any more. I do not sleep because of hips and shoulders. I still have abscess but other infections seem to have settled down despite no treatment. I find myself very tearful in the mornings again. This only happens with inflammation. I will wait until July and repeat blood work. I am so so so tired. This is hardest thing for family to comprehend. I am always tired. Sitting is exhausting and causes my legs to swell. I am 5'3" so most chairs cut off circulation. It makes me feel like a little kid.
I saw a Neurologist at BBY hospital. He must have been 6'5"" at least. I was having a nerve conductivity test. I apparently have an extra nerve running down my leg as well as double roots lol definitely damaged ha ha
Being so small makes a lot of doctors forget I am an adult. Infantalizing is frequent with doctors. I once had a Gynocologist pat me on the head . He had just completed a hyrorectomy on me. I was 27, and this same doctor had done an internal on me when I was twelve to sixteen weeks pregnant, with twins. He still insisted I was not pregnant. I miscarried two weeks later !
If I had not been so devastated I would have slapped him. But I still believe everything happens for a reason. I just wish I knew what the reason for this is.
Sorry for running on. My mind is all over the place this morning. We are in for some ☀️ at long last. Let's hope it helps. It certainly will be a welcomed change 😛
Well I'm 5'8' and I have been this hieght since I was 12. I was always treated like an adult, even as a child. Crazy eh?
When you say you have double roots, do you mean the roots on your teeth? Lots of teeth have 2 or 3 roots. If your abscesses are in your mouth & your dentist led you to believe it was because "you are an odd case" because of your double roots....Your dentist is lying to you & covering her arse. Most people have 2 or 3 roots. Get your abscesses treated, they can kill you. My dentist for years pretended that the bump above my teeth was actually "overflow of gutta purcha" from the root canal she did. She lied to me and her lie almost killed me.
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So emotionally drained & frusterated with the Canadian Medical system.
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