I think I'm literally about to lose my mind. I'd say that that was an exaggeration, but it's true. I have been through so much, health-wise, in the last 6 months. And, while I'm grateful that I've gotten through everything relatively unscathed, I just don't feel as though I can deal with anything more. But, yet, life keeps happening and now I'm dealing with another health-related issue.
I went to the dentist today for an exam and x-rays since I've been having a lot of mouth/jaw/tooth pain and inflammation. I figured it was a wisdom tooth that got impacted or was coming in incorrectly, and it was, but it's worse than that. Not only is my lower left wisdom tooth pushing inward toward my other teeth, but my top left wisdom tooth and the tooth next to it are both infected. So, basically, I need them out immediately. And, while that seems like a fairly simple solution, I don't have dental insurance and really do not have the money necessary to have my teeth extracted. All in all, I'd need all 4 wisdom teeth extracted as well as the molar next to the infected wisdom tooth up top. I also need a cleaning and a filling, but that all can technically wait. The infected teeth are urgent -- especially since I am dealing with pericarditis on top of everything. But, at $239.00 a tooth (not including the anesthetic or any problems that may arise during the procedure). And, this comes after nearly $250.00 this afternoon. Of course, I'll get the teeth extracted, but this is stress I really don't need.
The dentist was nice, but was not very thorough. I mean, practically speaking, he was, but he was also very rushed and just ordered me to make an appointment or else I was risking my life (which where an abscess or infection in the mouth is concerned is possible, but not immediately likely). The financial counselor was more of a dictator and they accept no payment plans or financing -- even with a large deposit. And, unfortunately, I don't have either health or dental insurance at the moment. The dentist did prescribe an antibiotic (Amoxicillin -- 875mg, 2x daily) and that will be enough to hold me over until next week, but the infection still has me quite worried.
I have an appointment with my regular PCP tomorrow as a follow-up for my pericarditis and the dental issue and that is weighing on my mind as well, but I also know how blessed I am to have doctors working both with and for me. I cried for most of the afternoon because I am just so sick of being sick and out of fear, but I'm doing better now. I am going to call around and see if I can find a good dentist whose rate is not quite as high or who will work with me on a payment plan. As long as I'm on the antibiotics and am holding steady, I have the time to do that, but I need to have something set up for the extractions by next Wednesday. I'm only getting the top two where the infections are done first unless I can swing the one bottom one as well, but the others can wait a bit as they're not impacting my health or urgent at this time. But, regardless, I'm just frustrated and this situation just, well...sucks.
All this and I'm supposed to leave for Albuquerque, NM a week from Monday. Oh, and not to mention an event I'm working on this weekend for a non-profit. Apparently, I have impeccable timing
.
If y'all can offer some additional vibes, it would be most appreciated. I know I haven't been around too much, and, when I have, I've been whining or asking for support, but I really need it right now. I hope that's okay...
I went to the dentist today for an exam and x-rays since I've been having a lot of mouth/jaw/tooth pain and inflammation. I figured it was a wisdom tooth that got impacted or was coming in incorrectly, and it was, but it's worse than that. Not only is my lower left wisdom tooth pushing inward toward my other teeth, but my top left wisdom tooth and the tooth next to it are both infected. So, basically, I need them out immediately. And, while that seems like a fairly simple solution, I don't have dental insurance and really do not have the money necessary to have my teeth extracted. All in all, I'd need all 4 wisdom teeth extracted as well as the molar next to the infected wisdom tooth up top. I also need a cleaning and a filling, but that all can technically wait. The infected teeth are urgent -- especially since I am dealing with pericarditis on top of everything. But, at $239.00 a tooth (not including the anesthetic or any problems that may arise during the procedure). And, this comes after nearly $250.00 this afternoon. Of course, I'll get the teeth extracted, but this is stress I really don't need.
The dentist was nice, but was not very thorough. I mean, practically speaking, he was, but he was also very rushed and just ordered me to make an appointment or else I was risking my life (which where an abscess or infection in the mouth is concerned is possible, but not immediately likely). The financial counselor was more of a dictator and they accept no payment plans or financing -- even with a large deposit. And, unfortunately, I don't have either health or dental insurance at the moment. The dentist did prescribe an antibiotic (Amoxicillin -- 875mg, 2x daily) and that will be enough to hold me over until next week, but the infection still has me quite worried.
I have an appointment with my regular PCP tomorrow as a follow-up for my pericarditis and the dental issue and that is weighing on my mind as well, but I also know how blessed I am to have doctors working both with and for me. I cried for most of the afternoon because I am just so sick of being sick and out of fear, but I'm doing better now. I am going to call around and see if I can find a good dentist whose rate is not quite as high or who will work with me on a payment plan. As long as I'm on the antibiotics and am holding steady, I have the time to do that, but I need to have something set up for the extractions by next Wednesday. I'm only getting the top two where the infections are done first unless I can swing the one bottom one as well, but the others can wait a bit as they're not impacting my health or urgent at this time. But, regardless, I'm just frustrated and this situation just, well...sucks.
All this and I'm supposed to leave for Albuquerque, NM a week from Monday. Oh, and not to mention an event I'm working on this weekend for a non-profit. Apparently, I have impeccable timing
If y'all can offer some additional vibes, it would be most appreciated. I know I haven't been around too much, and, when I have, I've been whining or asking for support, but I really need it right now. I hope that's okay...
