scrubbedexpat091

So for a better part of a year now, I have been getting recurring ear and throat pain but only on one side of my body and otherwise feel fine, no colds before or after, no allergies etc.

Each time I went to a walk in clinic, the doctors said they didn't see anything, and ear didn't appear infected, but they would prescribe antibiotics just in case, and within a week the pain usually went away, so I never assumed otherwise anything was wrong but an infection.

This week again the pain came back, and I went to see my GP this time, and he noticed my jaw makes a loud popping sound when I open my mouth, so after he checked the ears and throat, and saw no infection, he said its probably my jaw, and it might be pressing on some nerve that causes the brain to realize something is not right, but doesn't know why, so the brain sends pain signals to the area, which then sends doctors into thinking its an ear issue, when in reality its a jaw issue.

Anyhow, its a dental issue, but since I don't have dental coverage that will cover this sort of thing, and can't afford to pay a dentist, I am more or less hooped for now, just have to deal with periodic pain until I can sort out a way to see a dentist.


The body sure can be interesting at times, and trick both the owner of said body, and several doctors.

JamesM

Unfortunately doctors in Canada are easily tricked too often in my experience.

Was it an Ear, Naisal and Throat specialist that you saw? If not I would get a referral.

Also there are some reasonable dentists out there. I go to one in Toronto that is actually funded by the Steelworkers Union. They are less about selling me stuff I don't need and more about giving me the right treatment at an affordable price.

scrubbedexpat091

I've got a referral to one as well. (none in my area, so I have to wait a bit since I will be going out of region to see that doctor.)

I've got a list of low cost clinics in Vancouver (none in my town) and I am going to call Monday and inquire and see if I qualify for any of them.

If all else fails, I'll just go to Mexico in the fall when I am in San Diego and see a dentist, that was how I got dental work done when I lived there, its a fraction of the cost, and I was always happy with the work the dentist did.

I am just happy the doctor didn't rush me out once I did see him, considering the wait at the walk in was nearly 5 hours yesterday.

JamesM

Good luck with it.

I've realised here that with Walk In's and GP's you basically need to push for a specialist referral straight away. I have had several issues that dragged for months because they do not give the attention to deal.

Definitely see if you can find a dentist. Some of them are more human than others. I'm lucky a friend's wife is my dentist. My benefit package picks up 80% of my costs and she never charges me beyond that. But I'd definitely call around. I do think you need to see the ENT specialist first though.

Martin the cdn expat

I have something similar, my lower jaw pops easily, and I can wiggle it around, gives me some real headaches sometimes.

Dentist I saw years ago said the tendons connecting my jaw to my head are 'loose', and once in a while my jaw puts pressure on a nerve.
He suggested a fix, but after talking about opening me up, 8-10 weeks recovery, and the paralysis that could happen if it goes wrong...

When I feel a big one coming, I take an aspirin and pop my jaw for 5-10 minutes, and it's fixed. Freaks the wife out, though, as an added bonus.

bats

Yep. I've had facial and teeth pain for over a year now. Dental they say and not covered by my insurance, but the pain is from my temporo-mandibular joint so that isn't a dental problem. The fix is orthodontics but not due to bad teeth. Ridiculous health care limits here

scrubbedexpat091

That's the joint the doctor said is the likely culprit, but its apparently considered a dental issue, so nothing he can do about it, and since I lack any ability to pay for expensive dental treatment, i wont be able to do much most likely unless I find a sympathetic dentist or can get into one of the low cost clinics and work some sort of payment plan out.

Dental is something I wish was covered, I need a good chunk of dental work done, but its always been beyond my means. Dental is a luxury in North America.

bats

we have only had dental for a few months but even then the cover won't pay for this. My dentist does payment plans so I might end up getting it done but in the meantime I am working on mind over matter and trying to ignore it. I find chewing gum all the time helps.

scrubbedexpat091

It wasn't until the ear and nose pain started that it became an issue, the jaw doesn't bother me itself, and never has, just makes noise, but the past few months the recurring ear pain and throat pain has become a literal pain. Its quite painful and starts to fatigue me.

I have some very basic dental, 1,000 year max, and only covers filling, cleanings, and minor general stuff, nothing beyond that, and no use trying to get them to since its through the government. (GF is on disability and her health cover extends to me.)

Aviator

One of these might be able to help
http://www.bcdental.org/Find_a_Denti...stClinics.aspx

http://www.vnhs.net/programs-services/dental-clinic

AlmostThere12

I'm on the other side of this, I have full dental coverage but have such a phobia of dentists that I won't go!

I'm that bad that I haven't taken my kids in quite some time either(I know, I'm a bad parent). Thankfully they have had dental checks via school several times.

I am currently working up the courage to find one & register with them. I must, I must, I must.......that's what I'm trying to convince myself anyway!

AlmostThere12

Eeeeewwww on the clicky jaw thing. My husbands does this & it freaks me out too. I hate it!

Martin the cdn expat

Canadians do place a high value on clean, white, and straight teeth.
Different from Europeans in that regard.

Dental checks from the school won't replace regular care and a program
to get your kid's teeth looking their best.

BristolUK

My jaw used to click on one side. A previous dentist thought it was from teeth grinding. Unless it was in my sleep it was unlikely. But I did have a habit of sort of tapping my teeth (upper onto lower, side to side) to music and maybe that did much the same with a similar sideways movement.

I made the effort to stop it and the clicking jaw isn't there anymore.

Dashie

Do you have a dental school at a uni near you? That's where people here go sometimes. You still have to pay but generally half the price or less. And everything is supervised and checked on, sometimes it's the professor that does the work, as a demo for the students.