I Just Found Out I Have Three and They Didn’t Even Tell Me

SHORT VERSION (missing some information, I tried): I found out that I have 3 root canals when I was only aware of 1. Might not have lyme/mold, or I do have it but my teeth are pretty badly infected and I have not treated any of whatever it is I have. I am aware that mold can break teeth down. I am also aware that MCAS can come from mold (also lyme as well), but it can also come from any infection (this one for instance). I am scared to take antibiotics, simply because that would be killing something in my body and one touch of anything for me and I lose it. I am not like most people and react to most things, even water, although it's been making me wonder if it is simply because I need them? And yes, I panic from water, even though that makes me sound like a crazy person. But oh well. Why make this stuff up. Anyways, wondering if taking those will make me better overall. Confused on what to do. Feel like everything is flipped upside down yet again for me, as this kind of stuff seems to have happened a lot through my life. Let me know your thoughts. Please be kind. Sorry if I forgot some of the info from the long version.

Also, if you're curious, my new X-rays that I just got this week are linked at the bottom.

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LONG VERSION: Hi there everyone, long time, no talk. I have some new information if you care to read it and would love to hear your thoughts or comments that might help ease my mind. But here's a bit of a story for you. I apologize in advance for writing so much, but I treat this stuff like a diary. I believe in the details and putting it all out there. It wouldn't be like me otherwise.

For those that remember me, I am still having issues. Lots of symptoms and all of the previous stuff never changed. My dad passed in January, found out a couple of friends passed when I wasn't aware of it and that hurt. Went to the ER since last being on here and then many dentists (even Aspen, because getting oral surgery where I am from is nearly impossible!). Well, turns out my teeth are very much infected and in the process, I found that I have THREE root canals, and this was after I already got an X-ray from another dentist's office (couldn't get an official picture, system issues, long story). Now if it were my choice, I would have never gotten a root canal due to the dangers of leaving something dead in the body, but I was just a kid when I got mine - around the age of 8 or 9 or so. Well, at some point I guess I had two more, and that freaks me out, especially since they're all infected now. My teeth have been falling apart all because of what I thought was babesia and mold, but it's hard to tell what is truly lyme, co-infections, mold, MCAS, etc. but who knows what it is when these tests can only do so much, or for those who have to guess, it sucks. Well, at least I know for a fact that I have an infection, and from what they said, I've likely had this infection for some years now, growing and growing. I am shocked with how it was missed time and time again. The last dentist I saw actually got his license revoked because of issues with hygiene, and last time I had one of my root canals removed (the only one that I thought I had) I ended up feeling better for some time (April 2018-October 2018, can't remember which appointment at that time) and so he took it out and put it back in to see why there was pain in or around the area. Had some more work done and symptoms from that time period went away (another time of being "super" sick, various levels of illness, but that time it was pretty much intolerable like now) and never came back until this whole thing.

So I also recieved antibiotics. See, I thought that maybe this could be lyme, or mold, or something too. Obviously these tests most of us use can only do so much. It does get confusing once we hear "even if you don't test positive, you could have it based on symptoms", which might be true, but look at my case. My teeth have looked absolutely normal for a long time, but digging deeper we found this, and I couldn't even feel it! So that is just wild to me. But anyways, I was prescribed antibiotics by the ER. They gave me Augmentin 875 MG twice daily. I also got a prescription of Amoxicillin 500 MG there twice daily from the dentist, but have not filled it. Really, both are quite similar, but admittedly I am freaked out to take them. I'm in this mindset now where if I take anything, I am scared. I react to every little thing due to what I still believe is MCAS. MCAS can easily be attached to this infection or any infection. I have always been sensitive, but this whole thing has flipped my life upside down and it's got me even more confused than before. Just imagine if I took antibiotics in the past too. If I did, it would have kept coming back and I would have said, "well I guess this is what people mean by it coming back", but I suppose I am thankful I have yet to try anything. A gut feeling maybe? But now, I feel like it might be in my best interest to take them, but I don't want to lie (or sound like a moron) when I say I really don't want to. You have to understand where I am coming from. I am one of the most sensitive people on this planet. When I drink water I get panic. Like, come on. That just isn't right! So where do I go with this? I am open to thoughts. Of course, most would say "take it", but I guess I am looking for comfort. It's so easy to tell someone to take something when they themselves do not have to take it or aren't able to go through those symptoms for you. When I take anything, it lasts. But is this the answer? That is the question. Of course it won't reach the root canals, but it could take out some or maybe even most of the infection that's been affecting my facial nerves and other parts of my body. This whole Mal De Debarquement (MdDS) thing. The dizziness. Is it REALLY that? Or is it because this is all an infection affecting these nerves? I had a couple of ENTs and many doctors took a look. They saw nothing. I always looked great to them. So all of these symptoms lead me to believe that it's lyme/mold. But after a conversation with some others, including my new dental team, they said this stuff can happen. I will note that I didn't tell them absolutely everything because doing so means they might deny me care (I was pushed out by other oral surgeons because they said I have too many symptoms and so I should get this done at a hospital, then called the hospital and they just aren't able to do it, etc.) And I already know, it's weird, I just have some of the worst luck ever. It's a damn shame.But at least these people may be wiling to take care of it this coming week after my official consultation (maybe even the same day).

With all that said, can this really be the cause of all of my crazy symptoms in the last couple of years? I just hit my "super sickiversary date" on May 15th, because I got sick May 15th, 2021 (I have been sick far longer but this was the time where my brain was stuck in this... unexplainable thing). Ever since, life has been just absolutely wild, I can't write or think clearly, (bleh bleh bleh, you get the point) and surely most in my position would have been admitted into psych, but I somehow held myself together. Maybe I am thankful for the fact that most just put me to the side, but I am not sure how I am even alive at this point. I suppose my immune system is just extraordinary, considering I still to this day look "normal" to most. Just goes to show that anyone can look normal when there's likely something hiding underneath.

Extra notes: I did see a conventional dentist. I simply cannot find a holistic dentist in my area right now and there's no way that I can travel that far. I have not driven in months and there's just no way I can right now. Maybe in time. However, while they practice conventional dentistry, they are starting to look at patients with a more holistic point of view, which is great. They even said "we prefer pulling teeth over root canals knowing that they're going to have to come out down the line anyways. They also have more chance of infection since you can't clean them out 100% anyways." which really helped me feel better about them.

Lastly, I hope you are all well. I am sorry about not ever being on here. I would love to help people more often but I am truly so sick these days. I can't feel my body unless it's pain and I have a headache pretty much 24/7 these days but I pushed so hard to make this post. I just hope one day I can be better so I can pay it all back to the people. I send my love and heart to those fighting their own battle, each and every day. Just know that you are never alone.

Needed to get this all off of my chest!

If anyone's interested in my X-rays, here are the links.
Left (from my point of view) - https://ibb.co/pw4z6Y0
Right (from my point of view) - https://ibb.co/Bs74Y7J

Hi saraeli,

I am very sick. What I am saying is that there's a possibility there was never any lyme/mold and I could have had a tooth infection going through my body systemically for 2+ years now, maybe even as far back as 2017/2018, before or after my last dentist that lost his license did a second treatment on one of my 3 root canals. I could have gotten them as a child, but who knows. Apparently even some conventional dentists (like my new dentist team) are saying "eventually the root canal is going to have to come out and it's very unlikely that it'll be in for a lifetime" because many have said they last a lifetime, but a lot of people say otherwise.

As or the root canal thing, the reason they become a problem is because they are blocked off and they're a dead organ living in your body (some have a different opinion about it being dead but... come on, it's dead), so because of this it's best to get it out. While doing so, getting any and all of the infected bone (cavitations) would be best as well, because those spots might have not healed well, but in my case, I may not be able to do this for some time. I know ozone would be my best bet too, being that it's a gas and can travel through the jaw and surrounding areas. The antibiotics that I was given would be for the fact that I have a systemic infection. We're not entirely sure how far it's going throughout my body likely keeps killing it over and over again, which results in why I may have this overactive immune response. Or that could be the root canal, being that it's blocked off, therefore I am reacting over and over again because neither my body or the antibiotics can kill it until they are removed and cleaned up. You can also see in the x-rays that I provided that there's very obvious infection. I was told that it is severe and I am supposed to go in Wednesday for a consultation and possible extraction the same day. When I go out, it's hell, but I am trying my best. But it makes me wonder if my MdDS (dizziness) is coming from this, which may be what's causing my neurological inflammation. To me, this makes sense considering how close it is to the nerves and surrounding structures that regulate balance, vision, etc.

As for symptoms, my face hurts! Especially my nose. My teeth hurt less at this moment than above my nose though. It's always changing. Lots of numbness around my face and it's been like this since 2018, back when I thought this was all benzo withdrawal. I had this period of relief sometime in between though. I am a strange rare and odd story even on Healing Well. My story is so bizarre being that I got sick, followed one group, got "better" and am back in this but now seeing it as something else, then finding another thing. But my issue is severe and at this point I am worried about actually dying. I am worried about he MCAS thing due to my reactions, but it does make me wonder if it would really calm itself once I get these teeth out, then take those antibiotics. Would I even react to them? I am not sure. It's confusing at this point because when I eat food, it's always changing. I don't react the way that I used to. I can eat way more now (and I do!) and some days it's like nothing is a bother and others everything (including breathing) is a bother. So I have become very confused.

I think the worst part is I am so deep into this, I worry about becoming lost. I mean this to not be offensive to other sick people, but I think a lot of people forget who they are once they dive into their illnesses. They obsess (I know I do) and then they believe everyone has that very thing. I am still feeling on the fence about a lot of this stuff. I know that infection is a huge cause of MCAS, so it's not like I don't believe in it, but I am feeling more on the fence about lyme/mold for me. I don't get triggered by being around mold (as I have publicly said before) and I don't feel better when leaving mold (I have said this many times and haven't really gotten a response to it that I remember) and that is where the confusion comes from. I just react to things, period. There's no time. Like, is it that or this? It makes me believe it's a dental thing because I feel bad like I have this flu 24/7. I mean for anyone who has ever had pneumonia, I have, and it feels like a version of that often these days, but all of the time. I tell people that I am bad, but they just can't see it. So then I believe it's hidden and it seems that was the case. I had spoke with some other dentists and they are agreeing that this could be something that has went on for years and got worse and worse, so who knows. I am at this point where it seems I need to take a risk but worried I will scare myself up if I don't talk to the right people and go through the right steps.

With that said, thank you for your response. I have yet to try the Carifree products considering they use ingredients not suitable for those with sensitivities, but I am glad they work for you. I just try to avoid synthetic stuff or things that an cause issues (ingredients like polysorbate 20, "natural" flavors), you know? On the other hand, since I am getting "conventional" treatment, it makes me wonder if the use of these products would be a problem considering I'm doing all of this other stuff anyways. I just don't want to get lost in the mix of "what went wrong and where did it go wrong?" But I will do my best. I will have to take this step-by-step I suppose and just hope for the best.

I have not tried the Carifree products, either, for the same reasons you mention - some of the inactive ingredients. I also try to minimize potential triggers and toxicity. But the notion of being able to address the oral microbiome in a topical way appeals to me, rather than ingesting systemic antibiotics. If I hear of anything with more straightforward ingredients that has the same mechanism of action, then I'll share it here. I make my own mouthwash with baking soda, witch hazel, water, tea tree oil, and clove oil. Baking soda raises the pH of the mouth, and the tea tree and clove are supposed to kill dental decay-causing bacteria.

Having my infected root canal-treated tooth removed was very helpful for me. I felt lighter as soon as I stood up from the dentist chair. I had no cavitations per the 3D conebeam scan, and all x-rays showed no infection in the tooth that was obviously bothering me, yet when the dentist extracted it, there was a pea-sized pocket of infection stuck to the side of the root. Bright yellow. (Shudder.) X-rays aren't always reliable (in that they don't always show things that are there), so if yours show evident infection, then I'm sure removing them is a great idea!

I do react to mold, but only severely moldy places, and only briefly - like going to a conservatory that reeked of mildew and gave my whole family (who are not sensitive to things) headaches. The very moldy house I lived in didn't cause any noticeable reactions for me, and although I took all the mold-safe precautions when I moved (including getting rid of thousands of dollars worth of things, and remediating my new house for $9k), I managed to feel much better before leaving the moldy environment. Like you, I think that even if mold is part of the picture for me, there were other factors at play that might be more important. I think for a lot of us a combination of things is involved. I'm glad that you have identified dental issues as one actionable theory. Sounds like a promising route to improvement for you!

i just wanted to say that i believe its healthy to retain a certain amount of scepticism

but not to the point where one doubts everything equally and gets stuck in a state of inaction - rolling the possibilities around in ones mind indefinitely

its certainly a challenge - but we have to navigate a path through - and that means essentially placing our bets where we think we have the best chance of moving forward - then taking the first step.
otherwise we simply stay sick indefinitely - or even get worse.

we will be wrong sometimes - but when dealing with something where its not possible to have all the answers in advance - this is inevitable - and often the only way we can learn.

its also possible to get stuck thinking the world is a deterministic binary place - i.e. because of x it must be x, or its either "this" or its "that"

in reality the world is full of grey areas, blends of multiple things and unforeseen things - and many things are simply not possible to determined with certainty.

to deal with this nuance and complexity its often better to think in terms of probabilities.

with a probabilistic approach multiple overlapping possibilities can be reasoned through
and compared in an organised manner
a probabilistic approach would look at all the evidence for and against a number of possible causes and allow us to calculate or reason through which of these is perhaps the most likely - or in terms of treatment most likely to be most helpful.

this is best done in writing in my view -

there will still always be uncertainty - our job is to navigate our way through as best we can regardless of the complexity and uncertainty to take decisions that maximise our chances of success

once you have done that you can rest easy in the knowledge that you have done all that is humanly possible to steer your course through it - and then ultimately - what will be will be

then you can move forward a step - eg with a trial or treatment or test - regroup afterwards and do the same process again - this time incorporating what you have learned.

hopefully with this approach you will gradually spiral in on the right answers - rather than bounce around all over the map

all the best

MooseSafari said...
Hi Forest, keeping you in my prayer, sorry to hear your struggle. Always nice to hear from you again though, I enjoy your writing skills..

one of my worst symptom when I was ill was severe nose pain, I thought i was quite unique having that. it almost sounds like a funny joke to someone who hasnt experienced it, but it is not. nearly 5 years of strange nerve pain wandering around the nose, between the eyes and forehead. Sometimes deeper.Taking all sorts of strange forms; burning, hissing, piercing.
I am glad it is all gone now, but I can sympathize with you, it dont bring back very nice memories..
i hope it will get better for you ASAP..!

First off, thank you very much for keeping me in your prayers. It means more than most people could ever know.

Yes, the nose and forehead pain have been something that's been going on for years. People don't always understand and often people think they can just pop a pill for it when it's really not that simple. Like I had said in my last comment here, I saw a dentist in 2018 (for bleeding from the mouth, thought it could be from the throat or gut originally) and it was leaking from a tooth in the back (something like that) and so we got to work on that, then I went on with still thinking what I was going through was a benzo withdraw (wasn't apparently?) and then about 6 moths later, took an antibiotic and it slowly started to disappear. Not 100% sure of the exact date but I wanted to forget and act like it wasn't there and it just faded. Now here we are again, and I am hoping my issues are related to the teeth and can be easily removed. It does make me wonder if you have some oral issues though? I just have to point out, a lot of the time there's no pain associated with this stuff, especially if a root canal has been done. Sometimes it's just a tooth with an abscess above it and it doesn't hurt due to the position of it. Could also be a chronic sinus thing too, which is not too far off either, being that it's quite common to have either. I suppose it could have just faded with time, especially if the bloodstream could get to it. But thank you so much for the kind words. I am fighting, believe me!

Just wanted to update.

I got those 3 infected teeth out earlier today. 2 root canals and 1 non-root canal that was sitting in the middle. They needed a crap ton of lidocaine (I think... I hope) which was unusual, but it did the trick. I was extremely shaky, especially after. Maybe it was the epinephrine from the Lidocaine or something, not sure, even if it dent directly enter the bloodstream, my body is sensitive. I am doing alright post surgery, even without pain meds. The pain is quite similar in the sense the area around my gums hurt so badly that the tooth was cutting into my gum, so I don't mind some extracted teeth. It's small compared to the pain I feel everyday suffering from this sickness I've had for the last two years. Now I just have to watch for excess bleeding and hope they heal properly. My other worry is that they just pulled the gunk out of my extraction sites, but they never used ozone, as they are a conventional dentistry. Not really the best place, but I guess it could have been worse. Have yet to take antibiotics but if I do I will likely start tomorrow and see how I am doing. If my body can heal this on it's own then that would be great, but we'll see. I'm going with my gut. Wish me luck!

Post Edited (Forest) : 5/24/2023 7:05:29 PM (GMT-8)