just one more thing

stellabean
stellabean Member Posts: 307
edited 23. Jan 2020, 14:14 in Living with arthritis
As if I don't have enough to deal with , something else happens I have had a swelling under my chin for several months now which is due to the nerve damage in my neck causing irritation in the salivary gland. Now I have developed a painful bony swelling on the edge of my jaw about halfway along which feels attached to the bone.
I tried to get an appointment to be told earliest emergency one was next week and to put hot compresses on my jaw ( I was already doing that) I then got a phone call to go to the other surgery in the practice and saw a doctor. She was as confused as me as to what this lump is and phoned the hospital I was sent to an assessment unit over 30 miles away and some blood tests and an x-ray later they have ruled out infection or inflammation. Now I am waiting for an appointment with 2 different clinics to see if either of them can work out what is going on.
So today I am exhausted as we were out from 11 am until 6.30pm yesterday and the pain makes sleeping even more difficult than usual. All the time I am sitting feeling sorry for myself I feel guilty for not making myself get up and get the christams cakes I have got to decorate done for gifts. Tomorrow is another day.
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Comments

  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 29,895
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Gosh Stellabean!

    As if you haven't got enough going on anyway!!

    I do hope they get to the bottom of it soon sounds really painful and tricky to live with too ((()))

    Today is indeed another day I am sending you some of my energy so you can do those cakes!

    Love

    Toni xx
  • stellabean
    stellabean Member Posts: 307
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Thanks Frogmorton, I am going to do 3 today (only little ones for elderly neighbours). Luckily some cakes go naked so will deliver them on Saturday when we hope to go out to lunch.
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I know it is a pressurised time of year but you and your physical needs must come first. I was planning to make simple himmeli decorations for the neighbours but that idea has gone out of the window as my fingers wont co-operate. The next plan is simple tree lanterns but they probably won't be done either: the world won't end, the neighbours will still talk to me. Maybe. :lol:

    We hope in vain that once we have arthritis that will be it, our bodies will sit back and decide enough is enough. As if. Life with all its health hazards continues, great innit? :roll: I hope that whatever this is it can be identified sooner rather than later and, even better, dealt with. DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • Airwave!
    Airwave! Member Posts: 2,469
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Ahhh, just sit back and let Christmas wash over you, Christmas will still happen!
  • stellabean
    stellabean Member Posts: 307
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I haven't done any cakes today tomorrow is another day, I have iced our cake on Christmas afternoon in the past when I haven't been too well. This thing in my jaw is sooooo painful if I lie on that side or touch it when washing, and as much as I love my cat he likes to push his head under my jaw OUCH.
    I have got an appointment with the head, neck and throat clinic on 31st December so not long to wait.
  • stellabean
    stellabean Member Posts: 307
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    The assessment unit was supposed to have referred me to oral and maxillofacial clinic but as the referral was done on the wrong form they cancelled the referral without informing me or ENT. To top it all I was told to try to chase up the appointment myself which involved several hours on the phone being told I was discharged ( I hadn't been an inpatient) and my GP has made the appointment on 31st for ENT not head and neck, they have already said the lump isn't in their remit so I feel in a spin. But I have been told to go on the 31st and hope ENT can sort the mess out then.
  • phoenixoxo
    phoenixoxo Member Posts: 625
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi stellabean,

    I don't think we've met before. I'm Phee. I just wanted to say I'm sorry about your painful swelling and the efforts you've had to put in to chase up your appointment. Is the appointment tomorrow? I hope it'll be useful for you.

    Best wishes,
    Phee
    PsA (psoriatic arthritis) and other things since 1990. Happy to help when I can :-)
  • Bluebell7
    Bluebell7 Member Posts: 41
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Good luck for your appointment today.
  • stellabean
    stellabean Member Posts: 307
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Thanks Phee and Bluebell I'll let you know how things go.
  • stickywicket
    stickywicket Member Posts: 27,764
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Good luck from me too. Sorry I've been awol. It's Christmas :wink:
    If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely isn't for you.
    Steven Wright
  • stellabean
    stellabean Member Posts: 307
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    As we thought it was the wrong specialist as we had already been told by the emergency ENT on 17th. Now I have to wait for this one to refer me to the correct one. He did show me the x-ray which shows two dark patches in the jaw bone in the area of the hard lump but I have never had an a infection in my jaw. So it is more waiting for another appointment and go to another clinic still I suppose I am getting seen I just feel a little like "pass the patient" it doesn't help when GP told this one my lump was in my neck not on angle of my jaw. I kept apologising as I felt I had wasting this consultants time but as far as the gp is concerned I was seen within the 2 week time for head and neck lumps so another box ticked for the government. I am being referred tot eh clinic who cancelled the last referral for being on the wrong form.
  • phoenixoxo
    phoenixoxo Member Posts: 625
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi again, stellabean,

    Thanks for letting us know how you got on at your appointment. I'm sorry it was the wrong specialist, as you thought, and I hope they manage to refer you to the correct one without making any more mistakes. I know the feeling of 'pass the patient' and all the waiting, so I'll be keeping my toes crossed for you (my fingers don't work so well :) )

    Best wishes,
    Phee
    PsA (psoriatic arthritis) and other things since 1990. Happy to help when I can :-)
  • stickywicket
    stickywicket Member Posts: 27,764
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I'm sorry. This must be both annoying and scary. I can only hope the new appointment comes through quickly and reveals not very much. Hang on in there.
    If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely isn't for you.
    Steven Wright
  • stellabean
    stellabean Member Posts: 307
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Thanks Phee and Sticky I am going to try to wait patiently for this next appointment and as it is a consultant to consultant one hope nothing goes wrong. The sun is shining and has reached my greenhouse so I think I am going to visit my plants for some conversation as my OH has a virus our daughter brought into the house an he is dozing in his chair. It is usually me giving it zzzzzz but still he is allowed.
  • stickywicket
    stickywicket Member Posts: 27,764
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    My thinking - or, at least, my hope - would be that consultant to consultant would happen more quickly but, still, it's the dodgy Christmas lull so do follow it up if it doesn't.

    Plants are definitely more soothing than husbands :wink: Go for it.
    If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely isn't for you.
    Steven Wright
  • phoenixoxo
    phoenixoxo Member Posts: 625
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    You're welcome, stellabean.

    Yes, let's hope the communication from one consultant to another goes well. I hope you had a nice time in your greenhouse. I like growing things too :)

    Best wishes,
    Phee
    PsA (psoriatic arthritis) and other things since 1990. Happy to help when I can :-)
  • stellabean
    stellabean Member Posts: 307
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Yes thanks I did a bit of tidying of the carnivorous plants my daughter has left in there and I have got interested in. I am enjoying looking through the seed catalogues and planning this years growing I do a list check it twice and half it when I remember the greenhouse is only so big!.Hope you all have a good day today it is cold and very windy today.
  • phoenixoxo
    phoenixoxo Member Posts: 625
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I don't have any experience of carnivorous plants, so I've just been reading about them on Wikipedia. They're really interesting :shock:

    One of my friends got a lovely seed catalogue for Christmas, full of vegetable cartoons :lol:

    It's been mild here today, with a bit of sun. I've had quite a full day of work, but my recliner's set up where I have a nice view of trees and birds. I hope it's been a good day for you :)
    PsA (psoriatic arthritis) and other things since 1990. Happy to help when I can :-)
  • stellabean
    stellabean Member Posts: 307
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I received two letters today one is an appointment for next Wednesday to see the maxillary facial surgeon and the other a copy of the ENT letter to my GP. It says firm lump palpated anchored to the mandible, enlarged lymph node inferior to lump submandibular area. No indication for antibiotics bloods unremarkable. Shadow seen on x-ray ?abscess ?underlying mass. So I don't have long to wait I just hope he will be able to tell me what this darn thing is.
  • stickywicket
    stickywicket Member Posts: 27,764
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Me too. I'm pleased it's been quick and hope the explanation will be too. I shall be thinking of you on Wednesday. I hope it goes well. Will you have someone with you as an extra pair of ears?
    If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely isn't for you.
    Steven Wright
  • stellabean
    stellabean Member Posts: 307
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Thanks Sticky I will have my husband along I will let you know how things go
  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 29,895
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Fingers crossed for Wednesday Stellabean…

    maybe take a carnivorous plant along as a secret weapon :wink:

    Toni xx
  • phoenixoxo
    phoenixoxo Member Posts: 625
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    frogmorton wrote:
    maybe take a carnivorous plant along as a secret weapon :wink:


    :lol:

    Very best wishes for Wednesday, Stellabean x
    PsA (psoriatic arthritis) and other things since 1990. Happy to help when I can :-)
  • stellabean
    stellabean Member Posts: 307
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Thanks everyone I have got an appointment for a jaw scan on Friday too. I am just hoping this isn't my duff genetics rearing their ugly head as my grandmother had Padgets.
  • stickywicket
    stickywicket Member Posts: 27,764
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I hope it's not but we'll all be rooting for you.
    m0150 m0150 m0150
    If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely isn't for you.
    Steven Wright