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After 2 months of dealing with infection that set in after a root canal it has come to this. I have had extractions, been on lots of antibiotics and 2 surgical procedures to attempt to get rid of the infection. Now I am told the infection still managed to cause a sort of fracture in the jaw. I see a specialist for this tomorrow and also am supposed to see an infectious disease specialist. I just wondered if anyone knows anything about this from their experience or that of someone they knew. The idea of a plate in my jaw is very unsettling. That was what today's oral surgeon said might be necessary after he thought he might simply be removing a bone chip or a pocket of an abscess which sadly was not the case.


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Good luck on your recovery. One of Mum’s cousins had it in her leg as a child during WW11. Back then the infection was often deadly, but the doctors got hold of some penicillin being used for soldiers and she survived with a limp.

I know of two other people who had it in their leg in the early 1970’s and were treated with antibiotics and survived. One had surgery too, the other just weeks of antibiotics.
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May God touch your body and grant you a quick recovery. May He give you peace and strength during this difficult journey.

Weight loss is a good outcome and a positive from a terrible situation.

I have funky roots so fortunately I use an endodontis for all root canals, but it is not something most dentists encourage. I think all root canals should be performed by a specialist to avoid situations like yours.

Hugs! Take care and speedy recovery!
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Riverdale Oct 2019
Thanks. Mine was done by an endodontist on a Friday. He did not prescribe an antibiotic. By Monday my face was very swollen. The he did prescribe one but not a strong one. He worked that week to save the tooth but at that point the infection was growing. Following week the tooth was extracted by an oral surgeon. A month later the jaw was fractured. Trying to remain positive.
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Are you on Fosomax?
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Riverdale Oct 2019
Not sure. Just came home yesterday. Is one on that with a PICC line?
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Bif (((((hugs)))))) honey! Heal completely and well, body and spirit.
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Just started the six week period of time for a Pic line yesterday before leaving the hospital. As it is said "it is what it is". Will just start off slow and eventually may venture out. I wouldn't now as my face is so terribly swollen. Am just trying to accept this present reality. A whole other world I knew nothing about before this. I would strongly advise everyone to insist on an antibiotic if having a root canal. That aspect is hard for me to absorb. The fact I wasn't given one for several days until after when symptoms set in.
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Thanks all for the helpful responses. It was good for me to hear about what this situation entails. I am having surgery on my jaw Tuesday as it is fractured. After that more will be known about how bad it is and the recovery process. Infectious diseases will also culture from the surgery. I am feeling pretty down but how else could I feel as I process all of this. Just want to go home and watch TV. Normally I love to read but don't feel like doing that. At least I will lose weight. Just looking for a bright side. I appreciate the replies as I knew nothing about this before now.
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Treatment for Osteomyelitis often takes a long time - months - to resolve. IV antibiotics, drug levels via lab draws, titration of dose, etc. Do you have a PICC line too? Usually one is inserted for long term abx infusion. The PICC line can be used to get labs too.
Osteomyelitis is serious. It is a bone infection. Yes it can affect the bone at the primary location.
Dentists use cadaveric bone transplants these days to help build up bone where there is none.
I am not sure what you can do to avoid the plate but advise you to take each day as it comes and fight that infection.
Best of luck to you!
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Ask about a bone graft. I think that they can help reinforce the bone without a plate, but it takes like 18 months for everything to be done with a graft.
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My mom developed this in the hospital after spinal surgery. She was sent on to nursing home for rehab. Infectious Disease Dr. ordered a cocktail of IV antibiotics, blood work had to be done daily. Nursing home couldn’t get the blood work processed quickly enough to monitor antibiotic administration so after a week she was transferred to a Long Term Care Center/Hospital. She was there almost three months before being transferred back to nursing home to finish rehab. The hospital didn’t even tell us she had the infection, it was the nursing home.
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Rriverdale, my only experience with osteoporosis myelitis is with my brother's femur almost 50 year ago. I just want to wish you well and fast and complete healing! I hope someone here has more specific information.

Did you close on the sale of your NY home?

((((Hugs)))))
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Riverdale Sep 2019
Closing on October 10th God and all other forces willing. Thank you for your helpful and kind response.
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