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Post by peace on Aug 27, 2017 15:17:42 GMT
Yeah, yeah. Long shot perhaps.
Do you have any experience or know of anyone that has had this issue? Was it resolved with antibiotics? Surgery?
I have been struggling with this facial swelling for 9 freakin' months. Seen docs, had tests. Been on 4 rounds of antibiotics and FINALLY went back to my original surgeon (new specialist referred me to 3 others that wouldn't take my insurance and I have moved out of state) and he thinks it might be a screw attaching the plate in my face causing the issue. The bone was drilled away to pretty thin, he says, and it wouldn't take much movement for it to create some kind of infection. We are now doing 30 days of antibiotics- I have only done 10 up until now. If that doesn't work, he will do a panoramic scan to see what he expects it to be and then go up and remove it.
I am just wondering how likely it is for the infection to go away with just the antibiotics? It sounds likely to come back even if it leaves. Anyone have experience? The good think is he won't have to cut my face but can go up through the gum. But still. Damn.
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Post by SweetieBugs on Aug 27, 2017 15:28:02 GMT
I'm sorry you are experiencing this. It seems frustrating that they want you to do the 30 day treatment first before they will do a panoramic film (I'm assuming if the infection doesn't clear). It is so quick and easy to do the panoramic and shouldn't be that expensive (of course, insurance companies don't feel that way). I'd want to know now instead of 30 days from now.
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Deleted
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May 7, 2024 4:46:23 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Aug 27, 2017 15:29:01 GMT
That sounds awful. I hope it clears up soon for you.
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Post by cindyupnorth on Aug 27, 2017 15:38:51 GMT
Yes, I've seen quite a few. I'm surprised they are waiting on the panoramic. Have they done other tests? labs? CT? Often they will try oral antibiotics. then IV antibiotics, possibly irrigation and debridement. It being in your face I am sure they are trying not to do that. Are you on IV antibiotics? or just oral?
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NoWomanNoCry
Drama Llama
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Post by NoWomanNoCry on Aug 27, 2017 16:30:15 GMT
This is timely. My FIL has screws in his elbow (from the 80s) and months ago it started to swell up to the size of a grapefruit, they go in do surgery to clean it out because it was infected..all is well until a few weeks ago and it swells up again. Long story short it was infected again and he now has MRSA..since he has a pacemaker they were worried the infection was going to get near the pacemaker. He was in the hospital for weeks and just got home about a week ago with a PICC line and gets antibiotics 2x a day. It's been a nightmare and we were told it can come back again. I have no idea why they can't replace the screws in his elbow since this all stems from that.
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Post by Lexica on Aug 27, 2017 16:46:10 GMT
I hadn't known this was a possibility, and it scares the crap out of me. I have multiple screws in my body from different surgeries. I would think the course of antibiotics would be necessary before they go in and remove the offending screws. Isn't it too dangerous to operate on someone with an active infection in that area? I would think that would just spread it all over the place. I'm so sorry you are having to deal with this, peace. After all you have already been through too. |
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kirspend
Junior Member
Posts: 91
Jul 18, 2014 21:08:17 GMT
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Post by kirspend on Aug 27, 2017 17:20:47 GMT
Not infection, but I'm allergic to the one in my knee! They didn't check my records and put in one with nickel - so life-time allergy meds for me! I now deal with nickel flare-ups all over!
Was told it would do no good to take it out because trace atoms would be left and continue the allergy. Also the risk of breaking the bone or the screw during removal.
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Post by peace on Aug 27, 2017 19:42:22 GMT
Yes, I've seen quite a few. I'm surprised they are waiting on the panoramic. Have they done other tests? labs? CT? Often they will try oral antibiotics. then IV antibiotics, possibly irrigation and debridement. It being in your face I am sure they are trying not to do that. Are you on IV antibiotics? or just oral? Thanks everyone for the responses!! Well, I had a CT and an MRI and the doc just thinks he would rather try the antibiotics AGAIN before anything else. In the previous rounds, I have had some relief (less pain- not that it's bad but annoying) so he thinks it might do it. He did say I might want to get it out anyway and he makes it sound like a very easy procedure. And just oral antibiotics. SaveSave |
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Post by peace on Aug 27, 2017 19:43:48 GMT
This is timely. My FIL has screws in his elbow (from the 80s) and months ago it started to swell up to the size of a grapefruit, they go in do surgery to clean it out because it was infected..all is well until a few weeks ago and it swells up again. Long story short it was infected again and he now has MRSA..since he has a pacemaker they were worried the infection was going to get near the pacemaker. He was in the hospital for weeks and just got home about a week ago with a PICC line and gets antibiotics 2x a day. It's been a nightmare and we were told it can come back again. I have no idea why they can't replace the screws in his elbow since this all stems from that. Holy crap- that sounds awful! I hope FIL heals quickly. I had no idea that these things even happened. I was living under a rock apparently. SaveSave |
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Post by peace on Aug 27, 2017 19:51:23 GMT
I hadn't known this was a possibility, and it scares the crap out of me. I have multiple screws in my body from different surgeries. I would think the course of antibiotics would be necessary before they go in and remove the offending screws. Isn't it too dangerous to operate on someone with an active infection in that area? I would think that would just spread it all over the place. I'm so sorry you are having to deal with this, peace . After all you have already been through too. I hope you do not have any problems with yours. I have heard so many good stories, I really didn't know this was possible- especially in the face. Geesh. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you!! kirspend WOW! So they knew you were allergic to nickel and they put it in accidentally? What is a nickel flare-up like for you? I can't even imagine. Do you have to take meds every day for that?? That is crazy. I am so sorry you have to deal with that. SaveSave |
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azredhead
Drama Llama
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Post by azredhead on Aug 27, 2017 19:58:01 GMT
Yes me. In fact I'm having hernia surgery on my belly on Thur. for 2nd time. The 1st I had a severe infection with gal stones and one was lodged. I had four stones total. It wrecked havoc on my insides. They haven't been the same since. They took my gal bladder, my appendix and part of my liver. I spent two weeks in the hospital on a pic line. This one hopefully won't be as bad. As I don't have much left. They are gonna put in a bigger mesh so I won't keep getting the hernias. It's right about my belly button. It's hard like a belly button. Surgeon is a little concerened as there is no pocket. i'm not sure what that means. But he has had sitting in different positions to figure out how big it is. They told me a year ago it was too small too operate again. (I think it was more what happened last time). He won't go in the same place but do a lapo spot further over so they can go in and see things. I can't do MRI's as I have a pace maker. So it gets complicated. Last night I started running a low grade fever. Trying not freak out that something is infected again. If it goes up I'll have to go back to the ER. Anyway the others I know other than me is FIL (now deceasesed) and Dh's uncle with a diabetic foot. They both have had the bottoms of their feet scrapped and never healed. They are all diabetic on Dh's side so it runs in the genes .Along with bad feet. I also have a friend similar to yours. She had a plate put in her foot. She has a rare bone disorder. I can't think of the name at the moment. Anyway she just had surgery on both feet. One was getting infected and the specialist sent her back in for another surgery. She has one leg in a cast up to her calf and then a boot on the other foot. She has a little scooter. She kneels on to get around. She also has 6 kids. I can't believe how she gets around. She is my inspiration a lot of days, when I have hard days I hope you can find something that helps or the specialists can help you! Its hard when there are reoccuring issues and complications. Big HUGS!  let us know how it goes. ETA-forgive if I'm all over the place today I'm PUIing under pain meds!  |
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Post by Lexica on Aug 27, 2017 20:01:56 GMT
Not infection, but I'm allergic to the one in my knee! They didn't check my records and put in one with nickel - so life-time allergy meds for me! I now deal with nickel flare-ups all over! Was told it would do no good to take it out because trace atoms would be left and continue the allergy. Also the risk of breaking the bone or the screw during removal. Holy crud! I would be very upset about that. If it was on your chart and they did it anyway, I would want them to remove it to keep any reaction to a minimum. That is so wrong. I was told all of mine are titanium. When I first got the plate and screws in my neck, I thought it would be fun to make magnetic things to stick to the metal. Unfortunately, titanium isn't magnetic. I know i have a weird sense of humor, but can you just imagine the fun Halloween costumes I could make if it were? I didn't ask and they didn't tell me what kind of screws and stuff are in my elbow, but I am assuming also titanium since it was done in the same hospital. I've never tried to put a magnet up to it. It still bothers me, so I will be leaving that alone. I am so sorry that you have to take meds to deal with their mistake for the rest of your life. I'd be insisting they get it out at their expense, just to minimize the amount of nickel in my body. |
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Post by gracieplusthree on Aug 28, 2017 0:20:09 GMT
yeah I didn't know this was a possibility either, I too have a lot of screws and brackets and pins and crap holding me together(namely I have Harrington rods along my spine top to bottom,but thats not all) I just worry about being in a car wreck and something breaking a rod whatnot and it being really bad  or re-breaking my ankle thats held together with screws and such already |
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Post by Really Red on Aug 28, 2017 1:28:40 GMT
Not infection, but I'm allergic to the one in my knee! They didn't check my records and put in one with nickel - so life-time allergy meds for me! I now deal with nickel flare-ups all over! Was told it would do no good to take it out because trace atoms would be left and continue the allergy. Also the risk of breaking the bone or the screw during removal. That's insane!! How awful for you. That would make me pretty mad, however. peace I have heard many cases about screws causing infections. Some have been able to be helped with antibiotics, but others needed surgery. My daughter (for a similar, but not same reason) needed some pretty serious surgery. Because of her heart condition, I was loathe to do so. We went to a specialist who recommended 6 weeks of serious antibiotics. I was also not thrilled with that, but the surgery was a worse thought. Plus, she had been on tons of antibiotics! But the doctor said that it just need more and guess what? The antibiotics cleared it up!! We had several doctors be very skeptical, but she never had to have surgery and I was thrilled. It's worth a try before you have to have surgery. Sorry you're in this situation. |
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kirspend
Junior Member
Posts: 91
Jul 18, 2014 21:08:17 GMT
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Post by kirspend on Aug 28, 2017 1:49:46 GMT
Thanks for feeling my pain! I assumed when the surgeon said "screw" that it would be titanium, but it's surgical stainless steel - not nickel-free surgical stainless steel! So I get to pop 2 claritin everyday to keep the swelling and itching from flaring.
I was duly ticked but the damage was done and it could be worse than a little itching! The flare ups are just spots of raised itchy, flaky skin - usually at friction points.
Since I'm not dealing with the serious issues you guys are, I feel silly complaining!
Good luck and stay strong!
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Post by crimsoncat05 on Aug 28, 2017 2:21:13 GMT
Sorry to hear about that, peace. I have a titanium plate and screws in my upper jaw from surgery, and was told I could start to have a reaction to them. Never knew any details about what *kind* of reaction it could be, though. I have sinus issues and have wondered if they could be due to the screws, but my issues are nothing like infections and swelling. It's too bad the doctor wants to be absolutely sure before they do the surgery; I'd just want the darn things gone once and for all, if I was you. |
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Post by peace on Aug 28, 2017 13:00:54 GMT
Yes me. In fact I'm having hernia surgery on my belly on Thur. for 2nd time. The 1st I had a severe infection with gal stones and one was lodged. I had four stones total. It wrecked havoc on my insides. They haven't been the same since. They took my gal bladder, my appendix and part of my liver. I spent two weeks in the hospital on a pic line. This one hopefully won't be as bad. As I don't have much left. They are gonna put in a bigger mesh so I won't keep getting the hernias. It's right about my belly button. It's hard like a belly button. Surgeon is a little concerened as there is no pocket. i'm not sure what that means. But he has had sitting in different positions to figure out how big it is. They told me a year ago it was too small too operate again. (I think it was more what happened last time). He won't go in the same place but do a lapo spot further over so they can go in and see things. I can't do MRI's as I have a pace maker. So it gets complicated. Last night I started running a low grade fever. Trying not freak out that something is infected again. If it goes up I'll have to go back to the ER. Anyway the others I know other than me is FIL (now deceasesed) and Dh's uncle with a diabetic foot. They both have had the bottoms of their feet scrapped and never healed. They are all diabetic on Dh's side so it runs in the genes .Along with bad feet. I also have a friend similar to yours. She had a plate put in her foot. She has a rare bone disorder. I can't think of the name at the moment. Anyway she just had surgery on both feet. One was getting infected and the specialist sent her back in for another surgery. She has one leg in a cast up to her calf and then a boot on the other foot. She has a little scooter. She kneels on to get around. She also has 6 kids. I can't believe how she gets around. She is my inspiration a lot of days, when I have hard days I hope you can find something that helps or the specialists can help you! Its hard when there are reoccuring issues and complications. Big HUGS! let us know how it goes. ETA-forgive if I'm all over the place today I'm PUIing under pain meds! Sending you P&PT. Holy crap- you've been through the wringer. I hope the fever is just a virus and you feel better today!! @really Red I am glad to hear your daughter avoided surgery. I'd have 100 surgeries to save my kid from one so that must've been quite the relief for you. TFS- it lets me knot's possible. Here's hoping! kirspend - NOT silly at all. You have a lifelong issue that sounds like quite the nuisance. And it could've been avoided. But you sure have a great attitude!! crimsoncat05 I was never told I could have a reaction years later. They said perhaps something shortly after surgery but I wasn't hip to this tidbit. I did have my tear duct scar over from one of the surgeries and it happened months later- but that was easily fixed. I don't know about sinus connections to the jaw but I know that a million things feel like something else and end up being sinus issues. I hope your sinus issues clear up. Your jaw surgery sounds like it could be a pretty complicated fix. Healthy thoughts for you! SaveSave |
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or re-breaking my ankle thats held together with screws and such already
