I was informed yesterday by an endodontist that I have a tooth abscess(?)

[Contrary1]

At least, that is what I'm hoping it is. It is quite large, measuring nearly 7cm (over 2.5 in.). I have a dull intermittent toothache, along with a headache, and an all around not feeling too good feeling.

I first went to my regular dentist, figuring I would catch whatever was going on early. No such luck. He referred me to a specialist.

The endodontist says I need surgery, he actually referred to it as a biopsy. There are three scenarios. No matter what the outcome, it is going to cost plenty.

I am very fortunate that I have dental insurance through my husband's employer. We will also be able to cover whatever the insurance co. decides they won't.

But what if I didn't? Would I just take my chances, and hope that the infection didn't spread?

A 24 year old man in Ohio died just this past September because he could not afford treatment for a similar problem.

http://www.aol.com/2011/09/03/kyle-willis-cincinnati-ma_n_947810.html

What makes my life more "valuable" than this man's? The answer is simple. Nothing.

This is another reason that the OWS cannot pack their bags and go home. Every single citizen of "The richest country on earth" deserves to have the same care that I will be getting.

We cannot back down. We must fight until all Americans receive the medical care they need, regardless of their ability to pay. Being pissed off about the bailouts is only part of why we should be protesting.

We are the 99%, and so are the millions that are not able to protest. Do not forget that.

We must prevail.

[aquart]

1. Now would be good time to take Co-enzyme Q10.

Twice a day.

[Amonester]

2. I had my first and only one some 30 years ago...

Ouch, indeed

Didn't have (enough) money to go to the dentist at the time, and a friend had just come back from working in British-Columbia (and picking 'magic mushrooms' in the valley there during breaks).

Gave me one... The next day the pain was gone.

Of course, when I had money later, I went to the dentist for a root canal.

Magic mushrooms have qualities (when used appropriately).

No wonder 'they' made them illegal: 'they' can't profit from them.

[eridani]

3. Warning! Different people have different reactions to those things

Nausea and vomiting is not an uncommon reaction.

[Amonester]

4. Yes. Thanks for adding this.

Forgot to mention I was, and still am, in pretty good shape at 58.

I used to do a lot of training and swimming (competitions) between 10 and 16.

That helped a lot for muscular and cardio development, especially in those years.

[eridani]

9. You think cardiovascular fitness has something to do with a tendency toward

--nausea? Don't see it--I've been inclined toward puking most of my life, which has been characterized by widely varying fitness levels.

[Lionessa]

5. I had that 20 twenty years ago and they simply did a root canal, cleared, it out

filled it with antibotic paste for three days and then removed that filled it. No big deal, only cost about $650. No specialist needed.

Get a second opinion.

[Contrary1]

6. This particular tooth had a root canal several years ago...

That's probably why it isn't hurting a lot more.

The darn thing is anchoring a bridge, so I'm hoping it can be saved, but we won't know until he gets in there and sees exactly how much bone loss is involved.

[Lionessa]

7. OIC, a more complicated issue than mine. Best of luck to you.

[Liberty Belle]

8. Health insurance will sometimes pay; they did for an abcessed wisdom tooth removal.

In my view this should ALWAYS be covered. In any case, don't delay. That is a very large abcess and if you don't catch it early it can lead to a bone infection. I had that and it was a pretty rough spell of treatment to get rid of it that including cutting out the infected bone spur in my mouth and more.

Those on the upper jaw are most dangerous as an infection can go up into the sinuses and ultimately the brain.

The good news is you will feel SO much better after you get the abcess treated! I have had this 3 times.One root canal went well. Another didn't; it was a fractured tooth, they missed a root during root canal; it had to be redone, but ultimately the tooth shattered when I jumped on the kids' mini-trampoline and had to be removed. The last abcess occurred due to malpractice during sinus surgery that led to the bone infection; it wasn't actually an abcess that started with a tooth.

In the case of the lingering abcess where a root was missed, I'd been sick for a year -- sinus problems, headaches, fatigue, etc. The second that tooth was out, I felt better; next day I woke up and every symptom was gone.

Hubby had one and wound up with an extraction and later an implant.

Where do you live? If you need major dental work a lot of people are going to Mexico for affordable dental care. There are some good dentists down there, though I don't know how to find the good ones. Maybe someone here does.

[PCIntern]

10. Professionally speaking...

a 7 CENTIMETER lesion is a serious matter...this transcends the 'usual' by a longshot...I presume that they're going to biopsy it. I wish you well with this.

And you're right about the $ issues. Right now, however, I'm concerned and would be obliged if you'd let us/me know what the result of the surgery is.