History-
Started smelling “phantom” smoke or fire 6 years ago.(2012) Developed chesty cough, blocked nose, post nasal drip.
Gradually began to lose sense of smell then taste- completely lost these senses fully 2 years ago.
Over the years been told I’ve had untreated whooping cough,bronchitis,pneumonia,
asthma,idiopathic bronchitastis.
Forward to now (2018) referral from GP (because of persistent chesty cough) to ENT specialist. April assessment camera up nose (got stuck on cartilage) determined tracking flow dripping down throat and into maxillary sinuses. (Cheeks)
At this point NO sinus symptoms except for loss of smell. Nose doesn’t run, Productive cough with mucus.
Given 12 week courses of the following:-
* Clarithromycin,(antibiotics)
*Montelukast,(steroid)
*Flixonase,(basilar drops)
Then asked to also purchase NeilMed sinus rinse.
Approx 3 weeks into use of medications I had to go to my dentist . For the first time in my life for terrible toothache(top left molars)
Was told all good, told to take pain relief.
No further issues, pain went away on its own.
Next clinical assessment June 7th with ENT specialist. Had blood tests to see if any allergies and referred for CT scan as medications having no affect.
I’ve since had CT scan now waiting on all results at next ENT clinical assessment 2nd August.
In the interim on Thursday evening last week I had thee most godawful toothache again with sore gums, top and bottom and shooting pains in my front bottom teeth with acute earache.
I defo thought I had a rotten tooth or an abscess.
Emergency dentist again- nope all good aside from wisdom tooth coming through and small hairline fracture in tooth which should not cause me pain. Made further appointment to have x Rays Tues and told to buy antiseptic mouth rinse?!
Tues had x Rays this is after a weekend and start of week of Torture!!!!
Haven’t been able to eat, or sleep. Pain relief does not touch it. Eardrum surely going to burst, I’m ready at this point to knock all my teeth out on the left side as jaw and tooth pain major.
Spent most of weekend in tears and I usually have a very tough pain threshold,(3 emergency caesareans,full hysterectomy)
Dentist managed to complete x-Rays and showed me how full my sinuses are said I need to go back to GP.
Went to GP same day who tried to get my ENT clinical assessment brought forward as n urgent case but was unsuccessful in regards to this.
Offered codeine- unfortunately I’m allergic (anaphylaxis) so this is not an option and also allergic to morpheine and pethidone-sigh.
Given Amitriptyline to try whilst continuing with mouth rinse, sinus rinse and paracetamol/ibroprofen.
Just to say at this point I’m not going 20 mins before I require more pain relief!!!
Now resorting to wheat bags on my face and clove oil on my teeth- some minor respite for approx 10mins. I’ve fully had my quota for the day of pain relief by midday- no exaggeration.
Fast forward to today (5/7/18) and 2 , 111 NHS our of hours calls, The pain is immense. There is no respite. I can’t lie either side, sitting up makes me feel sick and dizzy.
I now also on top of extreme and intolerable gum/tooth pain, bulging eardrum and extreme fatigue, (haven’t eaten in 2 days-fluid intake good) or slept in 72hours also have these other acute symptoms:-
Tingling in left ear, with dull and often intense ear bulging and throbbing, Swollen left glands pain in neck, numb left side of face with an eye that feels it’s going to pop out of its socket, shooting pain from my eustachion tube(left ear) to my jaw line and pins and needles in my left hand.
I’m exhausted, totally fed up and at my wits end. Managed to speak to oncall GP who I happened to see Tues and he’s told me to go straight to A&E-sigh.
I guess I wanted to know if other people got worse or better and how long it lasts.