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[hawkshockey11]

Note - I will add pics tomorrow.

Also note - I HAVE seen the doctor already. Twice in fact.

Some background on my overall health.
- I'm 23
- no significant health problems
- very active

On Tuesday last week I started having chills, fever, full body pain, sore throat, etc. This went on for 4 days with my temperature ranging from normal to 102 °F. Nothing out of the ordinary on paper, though I was unable to leave bed the entire time. This has never happened before. Usually I need a day or two max and can usually work through it. This was completely dehibilitating. I made it to Friday and was feeling better so I assumed I was on my way to getting healthier. At that point all I really had was a sore throat, extreme exhaustion and a slight fever.

Well the next day I awoke to some gum soreness. I chalked it up to my bruxism and didn't think much. As the day went on the soreness got much worse and my gums started swelling up near the front teeth on the top and bottom (both sides too). There a also dark red accumulations of what I assume is blood on the gums in between and around most teeth (Almost like speckled bruising). It is impossible for me to chew because it hurts teeth so much. My mouth is also filled with an increasing number of kanker sores including on my tongue and lips. The pain is also near unbearable and it's hard to sleep or do much during the day. Seems to be getting worse, or at least it's not lessening. I've resorted to drugs to lessen the pain so I can get some sleep.

Some dental history.
- have gone to dentist every 6 months since I was a child.
-Brush my teeth twice a day with an electric toothbrush.
-Floss more than the average person
- never any cavities
-Never had any major dental issues besides my bruxism

I went to Immediate Care facilities twice since it was the weekend. And each time they were useless and told me I had an upper respiratory infection which I already knew. I showed them my gums each time but they didn't show concern or offer any possible reason despite me telling them that it was the only reason I was there.

My whole mouth essentially feels like a giant kanker sore and my teeth are in terrible pain. I am scared because this doesn't seem to be a normal symptom of an upper respiratory tract infection.

Basically the only thing Google tells me is that periodentitis is the closest to my description but there is absolutely no way I have gotten to that stage in a single day especially with my dental record. Some other thoughts I've had we're some weird occurence of herpes? Or maybe a side effect of mono?

Few questions or you guys:

Not sure what kind of doctor to see for this. Dentist, regular, mouth specialist? The last two general doctors didn't know shit about this. I'm not sure if a dentist would know either.

Has anyone ever experienced something similar? It worries me that not many others on the internet have reported this same thing.

Sorry for the long post.

 

[Avixph]

Go see a doctor.

 

[hawkshockey11]

Go see a doctor.

Already have twice.

 

[Neoleo2143]

Isn't this what doctors are for?

Edit: Seems you already went there. You could keep trying places. It seems like an incredibly frustrating situation, forgive my shortsightedness.

 

[hodayathink]

Isn't this what doctors are for?

Here, let me point out the relevant part.

I went to Immediate Care facilities twice since it was the weekend. And each time they were useless and told me I had an upper respiratory infection which I already knew. I showed them my gums each time but they either show concern or any possible reason despite me telling them that it was the only reason I was here.

 

[jb1234]

I don't think it would hurt you to go to the dentist. They might know more. As someone who took three years to get a diagnosis for his chronic health issue, I know how frustrating it is when doctors can't figure shit out.

 

[hawkshockey11]

Isn't this what doctors are for?

Edit: Seems you already went there. You could keep trying places.

One of the reasons I posted was to find out what kind of doctor handles stuff like this. I don't want to pay a copay for another general care doctor to have him say I need to see a dentist/specialist. And vice versa.

 

[Media]

Yeah I'd see your personal dentist asap. They know your history enough to be concerned, and it's more in their wheelhouse. Good luck hon

 

[crimsondynamics]

If the doctor or dentist can't figure it out, ask for a biopsy. Probably the only way to know for sure what you have.

 

[Avixph]

Already have twice.

Then I guess might be cursed.

 

[Keri]

Yeah, I think you need to try a Dentist. They will pay more attention to the symptoms with your gums and actually may have a better idea if there is some general health cause for it. I think regular Doctors will ignore anything teeth or gums related, as being outside their jurisdiction.

Hope you feel better, friend.

 

[carlsojo]

The sores make it sound like it's from a viral infection. I had something similar when I was a kid called herpangina. Do a warm salt water rinse every few hours and see if it helps.

 

[soco]

Dentist or Ears Nose Throat (ENT) doctor.

I'm not sure what your immediate care doctors are, but I'm guessing they don't actually try to treat you, but just do triage and maybe some low-level care.

 

[hawkshockey11]

The sores make it sound like it's from a viral infection. I had something similar when I was a kid called herpangina. Do a warm salt water rinse every few hours and see if it helps.

This is a possibility. My roommates GF just told me she had something similar and the doctors chalked it up to a weird instance of hand foot and mouth disease.

 

[JB1981]

Go see a reputable primary care physician. Urgent care providers suck ass

 

[besada]

Have your doctor check for a vitamin deficiency.

It has been noted in several studies that canker sores are either caused or triggered further when there is a deficiency of folic acid, zinc, or iron in the human body. Deficiencies of calcium can also cause canker sores, but more than causing them, calcium deficiency can worsen the situation.

In the interim, try some multivitamins and try to increase your calcium intake.

 

[Arcia]

Some Orajel might help with the pain from the canker sores.

But yeah, you should probably go see a specialist like a dentist for a real opinion.

 

[ultratruman]

This sounds like scurvy

 

[100%TrophyMaster]

This sounds like acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis (ANUG for short) as far as teeth are concerned. This can occur when your body gets run down. Get an antibiotic, take anti-inflammatory meds, and rinse with salt water rinses every couple of hours.
Visit your dentist to verify
I'm fairly certain I'm nailing this diagnosis but update us

 

[hawkshockey11]

There are two different kind of sores in my mouth right now. The canker sores (which are manageable since I get the sometimes) and the sore swollen areas around my gums. These feel almost like burns/blisters and the feel very smooth when I touch them with my tongue.

 

[TheChewyWaffles]

Dentist or Ears Nose Throat (ENT) doctor.

I'm not sure what your immediate care doctors are, but I'm guessing they don't actually try to treat you, but just do triage and maybe some low-level care.

Yep. Dentist or ENT

 

[Fat4all]

There are two different kind of sores in my mouth right now. The canker sores (which are manageable since I get the sometimes) and the sore swollen areas around my gums. These feel almost like burns/blisters and the feel very smooth when I touch them with my tongue.

Are they in the corners of your mouth? Maybe your wisdom teeth are starting to come in?

 

[hawkshockey11]

Could be acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis (ANUG for short) as far as teeth are concerned. This can occur when your body gets run down. Google it--what you are describing sounds similar. Get an antibiotic, take anti-inflammatory meds, and rinse with salt water rinses every couple of hours.
Visit your dentist to verify

This looks like something to bring up when I go to the dentist. Thanks!

 

[bigmit3737]

Where do your live? I'm surprised you can't find a decent doctor .

 

[hawkshockey11]

Are they in the corners of your mouth? Maybe your wisdom teeth are starting to come in?

The bottom right have sores, but they tooth is impacted/stuck sideways. I still have to get it removed. I have the X-ray around somewhere.

Where do your live? I'm surprised you can't find a decent doctor .

I've been limited in options because its the weekend and not hospital worthy. Tomorrow I am going to call my actual medical facility and a dentist.

 

[tekumseh]

Did they check you for strep throat? Those symptoms do seem comparable to foot and mouth disease also.

 

[Media]

Did they check you for strep throat? Those symptoms do seem comparable to foot and mouth disease also.

This is what I was thinking but only a doctor/dentist can confirm.

 

[hawkshockey11]

Did they check you for strep throat? Those symptoms do seem comparable to foot and mouth disease also.

This is what I was thinking but only a doctor/dentist can confirm.

I tested negative for strep and they diagnosed me with a viral infection.

 

[MIMIC]

Very interest symptoms, OP. I had a fever a few weeks ago (got to 102 F) and just last week, my mouth and gums became extremely sore. This soreness lasted just a few days. But I should preface this by saying that my gum pain happens like once every few years...and maybe it was just that time again. But this time, the inside of my jaw was sore, which has never happened. But Orajel works like magic, so I just used that.

I didn't go to the doctor, so I don't know if those symptoms were related to my fever. Hopefully you'll be OK, OP.

 

[herbchamberz]

Do you have a primary care doctor - ie the one you see annually? I would try making an appt with them. Not to say the urgent care doctors are bad. But a good general practitioner can do a full work up and then refer you to any necessary specialists. Good luck.

 

[Volimar]

I have no advice beyond what's been stated, but please keep us up to date.

 

[kamakazi5]

Sounds like something a dentist will need to look at and can maybe then refer you to a specialist.

 

[hawkshockey11]

Thanks for the orajel suggestions! I forgot that stuff existed.

 

[TyrantII]

Stress could cause a sore breakout. Prior symptoms sound like the flu.

 

[Keri]

I have no advice beyond what's been stated, but please keep us up to date.

Yeah, I feel invested in your health now, OP, and I want to know you are OK. So please update when you find out what is going on.

 

[Fat4all]

Thanks for the orajel suggestions! I forgot that stuff existed.

It's fantastic until you can get to a dentist.

It'll let you sleep at least.

 

[micah]

As previous poster stated; gargling salt water will help kill bacteria and overall clean out the mouth.

Your description sounds like a viral infection of the mouth based off temp and other symptoms. Swollen lymph nodes around the mouth and neck could be another sign.

Dentist or ENT should be able to treat easily. Probably with antibiotics. The sores may just be flareups but could potentially be related to herpes simplex(HSV1).

 

[carlsojo]

As previous poster stated; gargling salt water will help kill bacteria and overall clean out the mouth.

Your description sounds like a viral infection of the mouth based off temp and other symptoms. Swollen lymph nodes around the mouth and neck could be another sign.

Dentist or ENT should be able to treat easily. Probably with antibiotics. The sores may just be flareups but could potentially be related to herpes simplex(HSV1).

You don't get antibiotics for a virus.

 

[Zackat]

Did you have chicken pox as a child?

 

[micah]

You don't get antibiotics for a virus.

You are correct. I meant to state antivirals.

 

[AcademicSaucer]

Days of fever of unknown origin should be enough to get you quarantine in a hospital.

Maybe they are really sure it's the infection.

 

[hawkshockey11]

Is anyone aware of an easier way to get a same week dentist appointment? I no longer can use the dentist I grew up on as they are out of network so I was just going to call down the provider list. If anyone has any other suggestions, let me know.

No break from the pain this morning. All other symptoms have cleared up, except cough and swollen lymph nodes.

Did you have chicken pox as a child?

I did. Or at least I thought I remember seeing pictures of me with it.

 

[Fat4all]

Do you live anywhere near a school of dentistry?

 

[The Interrobanger]

I had pretty much the exact symptoms you're describing when I was 24 or so (I'm 32 now so it's been awhile.)

It was very similar symptoms to mono, which I had already had before, with the added bonus of insane gum pain. I basically didn't eat anything solid for like 2 weeks thanks to the pain of chewing.

Anyways, I had to go to the ER a couple times it was so bad. They never found out what it was, except that it wasn't mono and wasn't strep.

Hang in there.

 

[singhr1]

Going to the dentist often does not clear you of getting viral infections. Spontaneous or recurrence of latent infections aren't prevented just by cleaning your teeth often because they can often spread through means other than respiratory droplets.

Definitely need further work-up to differentiate between whether these are HPV sores, Hand-foot-mouth disease, benign growth, bacterial infection, etc.

See if your doctor can refer you to an Internal Medicine - Infectious Disease specialist.

 

[hawkshockey11]

Was able to find a dentist office that would take me today. I did a piss poor job of describing my issues on the phone though so the secretary probably thinks I am crazy.

 

[sturmdogg]

Have you tried the Department of Diagnostics at Princeton-Plainsboro?

 

[demosthenes]

This sounds like acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis (ANUG for short) as far as teeth are concerned. This can occur when your body gets run down. Get an antibiotic, take anti-inflammatory meds, and rinse with salt water rinses every couple of hours.
Visit your dentist to verify
I'm fairly certain I'm nailing this diagnosis but update us

Taking random antibiotics is not good advice.

 

[beelzebozo]

Did they check you for strep throat? Those symptoms do seem comparable to foot and mouth disease also.

agree with HFM. particularly fever + body aches/myalgia + oral lesions/blisters.

 

[rififi]

Please don't see an ENT. They are a surgical specialty and aren't necessary in your case. A general practitoner would be a better option (not ER).
You may have had the flu, and as a result of your immune system fighting off that infection, another infection was able to take advantage. I don't know what your mouth looks like without a picture, but I would guess it is herpetic gingivostomatitis (a reactivation of herpes simplex virus) or mono as someone already mentioned which could present like the flu +/- oral ulcers. Herpangina is usually in young children, not healthy adults.
In either case, unless it is a serious herpes infection which can be treated with an antiviral medication, most other viral infections will pass on their own without treatment (assuming you can maintain your own hydration).