Any doctors out there - I can barely open my mouth

[boomhauer]

This has been the week from hell.

I came down with what started out as a cold on Saturday, turned into a flu on Sunday, then back to a cold on Monday. Doctor put me on ammoxacillan Monday, and that helped a lot. However, yesterday, I noticed there was some pain underneath one of my ears. I woke up last night and the pain was underneath both ears. It's awful. I can't open my mouth without pain. I can't chew hardly at all. I called the doctor and he said to stop taking the medication and see what happens this afternoon.

I've never had swollen glands, so I'm not sure if that's what it is or not. My wife gets them when she gets sick, and she felt mine and said they didn't feel swollen.

I'm miserable - What could it be?

 

[golfgal]

It could be a number of things but an ear infection or a jaw problem come to mind. I would say the ear infection was unlikely since you were on an antibiotic but still possible since amoxicillin isn't a very strong antibiotic. It could also be a tooth abscess, which could also account for your cold/flu symptoms. I could make an appointment to see if it could be an ear issue.

 

[Disney Doll]

Could be ear, teeth, or jaw related.

I'd go to my dentist forst to rule out teeth/jaw problems...abcess tooth, abcess in the jaw, a plugged salivary duct...there are mnay things it could be. If that all checks out, then contact an ear, nose & throat specialist.

 

[mrsmom]

I have a swollen glands from strep throat ,that i could not open my mouth and even swallow. I was put in the hospital, put on IV;'s and i had a shot of antibotics before all this and that shot didn't work. So go to the dr soon and have it checked out..
Kim

 

[Am_I_There_Yet]

That's what happens to me when my TMJ flares up. It hurts my ears, deep down inside too.

 

[T1130]

My Dh also suffers from TMJ and that what it sounds like. My aunt was also having a similiar problem went to the dentist and was told it was TMJ. Hope you feel better soon.

 

[momof2inPA]

I vote ear or sinus infection. Let us know how it turns out.

 

[boomhauer]

This is awful.

The pain was getting to me, so I left work around 11:00. I came home, and laid down. I actually fell asleep for a bit. When I woke up - OH MY GOD - THE PAIN WAS EXCRUCIATING. I was practically in tears.

So, I took a couple of excedrin and headed off to the emergency room. After waiting about 3 hours, a doctor finally saw me. At this point, the pain had subsided quite a bit. Anyways, I told her what was going on. Her first guess since I was sick was swollen glands. However, she checked and said there really was very little swelling. Then she checked my ears. Nothing wrong there. Asked me if my jaw or teeth hurt, thinking it could be TMJ. That's a negative.

No answer. She gave me a prescription for 800mg of Motrin and said my lymph nodes could be aggrivated by the infection I had and it's just going through that phase.

I'm not very relieved though. If I go through the same pain again tonight, I'm gonna lose it. And the fact that there's no reason for it?

 

[Tartan Tigger]

I had the same symptoms as you last year and was told I had inflamation of a joint in the jaw, it had a big long name I can't remember (or pronounce). I was told to take anti-inflamatories and it went away. I couldn't open my mouth for almost two weeks. Haven't had it again although my jaw cracks everytime I open my mouth wide.

 

[Am_I_There_Yet]

I had the same symptoms as you last year and was told I had inflamation of a joint in the jaw, it had a big long name I can't remember (or pronounce). I was told to take anti-inflamatories and it went away. I couldn't open my mouth for almost two weeks. Haven't had it again although my jaw cracks everytime I open my mouth wide.

Sounds like good old TMJ to me. TMJ is an acronym for TemporoMandibular Joint disorder.

It's a blast to have, isn't it?

 

[ahutton]

When I get sick (colds, flu) and have congestion much of it drains through my ears. The pain is often confused with jaw pain because the inflamation in the ear canal "displaces" your jaw and can cause problems with your bite. Maybe it was inflamed or blocked and released while you were waiting to see someone? The motrin is a big help because it reduces the swelling in that area, which allows things to drain normally. I rarely have infections, but I often got terrible inflamation until I learned what worked for me.

Also - a low heating pad or one of those "hand warmer" packets are a huge help.

 

[kat3668]

Im sorry you are sick.....feel better soon!

 

[HERSEY]

I hope whatever it is, it goes away quickly and lets you get some rest. You might want to try an ice pack or warm compress whatever feels better.

 

[LiteBrite]

When I get sick (colds, flu) and have congestion much of it drains through my ears. The pain is often confused with jaw pain because the inflamation in the ear canal "displaces" your jaw and can cause problems with your bite.

This happened to me with my recent cold/ear infection - first my jaw started hurting, then I noticed that it didn't feel like it was lining up right. I could hardly chew at all, but I made the best of it by putting myself on an all-milkshake diet for a couple of days.

 

[FreshTressa]

Is it just on one side?

I had Bells Palsy that started like that.

 

[momof2inPA]

When's the last time you had a tetanus shot? Can't you get lock jaw from tetanus, or is that just an old wive's tale?

 

[dbarker]

I'm not a dr, but it sounds like Eustacian (sp?) tubes. I've had blockage in mine. It does not show up w/ an ear exam. I had to take a decongetant to get rid of it. Also, heat from a hair dryer helped relieve some of the congestion (thought I was going to drown from it once it started draining).

Good luck. I hope you feel better soon.

 

[irishbosoxfan]

About 2 yrs ago now I had an ear infection-Had pain went to doc,doc said no infection,went home--Well my ear got worse and I had pain under my ears not in them this led to headaches and a horrendous sore throat and what I thought was a cold-my nose plugged up and I was coughing-I went back to doc and was put on Guifenisan(Robitussin)---Almost 3 weeks later and I couldn't take it anymore--the pain,the inability to eat hardly being able to hear---I went back to doc and was told that I was about as infected as you could get-----I'd had an ear infection which because it went untreated ran down into my sinuses causing an infection there where in turn it ran down my throat causing an infection dripping into my lungs causing a respiratory infection====When I left that day I had about 4 different meds I had to take--I was mad as heck but the 30lbs I lost while sick looked awefully good on me!!

 

[Pixiedust34]

How are you feeling today? I hope you're feeling better.

To me, it sounds like it could be anything from ear troubles, sinus troubles, or a problem with a tooth. I'd try taking the toughest decongestant on the market and couple that with Advil. I hope today is a better day than yesterday.

 

[mafibisha]

My Dh also suffers from TMJ and that what it sounds like. My aunt was also having a similiar problem went to the dentist and was told it was TMJ. Hope you feel better soon.

Sounds like TMJ to me also. Hope you're feeling better, today!

But where is our resident doc (!?) when we need him --- DisneySteve, are you out there??