What to Do?

Avatar for stephsmom98
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-28-2003
What to Do?
17
Tue, 08-19-2008 - 8:18am

I have been having trouble with my fillings for a few weeks. I would bite down and I would get such pain. I told the dentist last year and they said fillings can do that sometimes. Yesterday I woke up to a 102 degree fever and couldn't eat all day. When I ate, I would vomit. I rested all day and by day's end, my fever was down. Today I woke to 100 degree fever, pain in my mouth, nauseau, and pressure between my eyes. I don't have insurance and my hubby is getting upset that my health problems are causing us money. I already saw the doctor and paid $70 and she told me of a place to get my meds cheap. She even gave me samples which helped. Two weeks ago my left eye started getting funny and now I am going to the eye doctor which costs too and I don't think I could afford the dentist. I don't know what is wrong with me. I am tired of being sick and not having money or insurance. DH is still looking for a job, but to no advile and he isn't trying that hard :( I am scared. Could my fillings and high temp cause me lots of problems?


My mouth feels yucky, I have bad breath and my stomach feels sick. Fortunately I got a free meter from a drug company, but have to strips. I have to order them at a price so I don't know where my numbers are.


Having diabetes and no insurance is scaring me. I feel stressed. Any help would be appreciated.

Debbie, Mom to my "only" Stephanie
Debbie, Mom to my "only" Stephanie

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iVillage Member
Registered: 04-03-2003
In reply to: stephsmom98
Wed, 08-20-2008 - 4:28pm

A deep seated infection can lead to inflammation all over the body. The 'eye teeth' are called that for a reason - the roots of the upper ones can reach all the way up to nearly the cheekbone in some people. Radiated pain from the mouth can cause headaches, earaches, pain in the shoulders and neck. Fever is a normal reaction of the body to infection - it's trying to burn out the bug but fever puts a major strain on the heart, and if you're trying to "act normally" that's a big stress. Add in inflammation (which is the major reason that diabetics are at risk for cardiac issues - inflammation in the cardiovascular system) and you've got a nasty one going on. Diabetics are already considered "high risk" for having a suppressed immune system. As I noted in my original post, my mom's aunt thought she had a brain tumor, so yes, teeth can cause a lot of issues. Plus, the pain in the mouth is likely messing with how much you can or want to eat which will throw off your blood sugar levels. Infection too will skew your blood sugar as will the stress of not knowing what's happening. Not to be alarmist but because the gums are such a blood vessel laden area (that's why a punch in the mouth bleeds like all get out even if it's a really minor cut), an infection there can travel very rapidly. You do NOT want septicemia (a blood infection) or any of the other problems that can occur when the infectious agent decides to take a holiday and travel around your body, lodging anywhere from joints to muscle tissue to the heart, lungs, kidneys, etc.

--Deb

Avatar for cl_maryfrances40
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
In reply to: stephsmom98
Wed, 08-20-2008 - 11:07pm

Debbie,


I just have to put my two cents worth in here. You have so many symptoms and you really need to be seen as soon as possible. You really don't want to mess with this any longer.


Please know that we are all worried about you and are anxiously awaiting a report of what the dentist had to say.




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Avatar for stephsmom98
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-28-2003
In reply to: stephsmom98
Wed, 08-20-2008 - 11:14pm
Thanks so much for your help and input. I called the dentist today and gave symptoms, but she said that if my heart rate is high, I should first see my doctor. If the dental problems may be causing the rapid heart rate, couldn't I just go in and see the dentist first? Not having insurance makes this difficult as I can't afford both. Also, I do have a hiatal hernia and I believe stomach problems so maybe getting sick and vomitting made my stomach worse. Does the infection of the teeth cause rapid heart rate? I don't know what to do. DH thinks my heart rate will slow down and then I can call the dentist to schedule in day or two. Right now I don't feel much like eating. Nothing tastes the same. I did break down and buy test strips and my blood sugars are fine. They don't seem to go up or down much. They stay the same if I eat or don't. That seems weird to me. My husband says I am driving him nuts with all this health talk too. But that is because I have anxiety issues and cry wolf sometimes. I am not doing that now. I hate not having insurance. I hate falling apart at age 47.
Debbie, Mom to my "only" Stephanie
Debbie, Mom to my "only" Stephanie
Avatar for cl_maryfrances40
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
In reply to: stephsmom98
Wed, 08-20-2008 - 11:20pm

Debbie,


Infection, regardless of where it is, can cause your heart rate to increase as well as your temperature. I know it is really frightening not to have insurance and to have financial problems on top of that. But you are just going to have to bite the bullet and see the doctor. See if you can't get a discount or be able to make payments. Usually they will accept payments when a patient has a hard time paying.


Good luck and as I said before please let us know what happens.




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Avatar for stephsmom98
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-28-2003
In reply to: stephsmom98
Thu, 08-21-2008 - 12:08am

To all:


Thanks everyone so much for your concern and care. Like I said, I hate feeling like this. I feel a bit more like myself tonight, but not totally. My heart rate jumped down to 78-84 beats per minute. I drank lots of water to help it along so maybe dehydration was part of it. I still feel yucky in my mouth. I will call the dentist again tomorrow and the doctor if heart rate comes back up. I will let you know how I make out. Thanks so all of you. Love you. Debbie

Debbie, Mom to my "only" Stephanie
Debbie, Mom to my "only" Stephanie
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
In reply to: stephsmom98
Thu, 08-21-2008 - 12:56am
Hi Steph! I know you from another board. Sorry you are having all these issues.

Trish

Avatar for stephsmom98
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-28-2003
In reply to: stephsmom98
Thu, 08-21-2008 - 3:16am
I want to say too that this evening I tried to sleep but my heart kept feeling like it would jump out of my chest. I got up and checked my numbers - 87 blood sugar number. I sat down on the computer and tried to research. I found a site for anxiety which talked about taking deep breaths. I timed my rates at 90 to 95 and after breathing, 80-83. If this is major anxiety, I am going to be annoyed. My hubby is already annoyed that I am anxious and feel like dying all the time. I must have anxiety about all this and going to the dentist. I am frustrated that a lot of this is anxiety issues. Nonetheless, I want to call the dentist tomorrow. But I also feel bloated and don't feel like eating. I burp just on water. Frustrating. But thanks again to everyone. By the way, my temperature is now normal, but I feel like I am freezing all the time. Weird things going on.
Debbie, Mom to my "only" Stephanie
Debbie, Mom to my "only" Stephanie

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