Constant swollen lower jaw + Chronic mono

[Caligirl22]

My 18-year-old daughter had four very impacted wisdom teeth removed March 12. Her lower jaw is still swollen. Although the oral surgeon sees this and has taken additional x-rays that prove there is no new infection present, he says that there is nothing that can be done. My daughter had a thin face before, and now it is constantly swollen and puffy. It never returns to normal. Sometimes it swells up even more. To back-track a little, since my daughter was about 15, she has gotten mono about every 3 months. She has been diagnosed with chronic mono. Though she did not have mono at the time of the extractions, could she be suffering from some type of autoimmune disorder/disease which has left her face permanently swollen (because she has had mono so often)? Also, has anyone ever heard of chronic mono for which there appears to be no cure? In addition, my poor daughter has chronic sleeping problems, as, every night, she is unable to fall asleep. I guess this may contribute to why she gets mono so often. Anyway, we have received no help regarding her swollen lower jaw area. Would anyone happen to know why her face does not return to its normal size? Thanks so much for listening! Here's wishing you all the best, always.

[Caligirl22]

My 18-year-old daughter had four very impacted wisdom teeth removed March 12. Her lower jaw is still swollen. Although the oral surgeon sees this and has taken additional x-rays that prove there is no infection present, he says that there is nothing that can be done. My daughter had a thin face before, and now it is constantly swollen and puffy. It never returns to normal. Sometimes it swells up even more. To back-track a little, since my daughter was about 15, she has gotten mono about every 3 months. She has been diagnosed with chronic mono. Though she did not have mono at the time of the extractions, could she be suffering from some type of autoimmune disorder/disease which has left her face permanently swollen (because she has had mono so often)? Also, has anyone ever heard of chronic mono for which there appears to be no cure? In addition, my poor daughter has chronic sleeping problems, as, every night, she is unable to fall asleep. I guess this may contribute to why she gets mono so often. Anyway, we have received no help regarding her swollen lower jaw area. Would anyone happen to know why her face does not return to its normal size? Thanks so much for listening! Here's wishing you all the best, always.

Originally Posted by Caligirl22

My 18-year-old daughter had four very impacted wisdom teeth removed March 12. Her lower jaw is still swollen. Although the oral surgeon sees this and has taken additional x-rays that prove there is no new infection present, he says that there is nothing that can be done. My daughter had a thin face before, and now it is constantly swollen and puffy. It never returns to normal. Sometimes it swells up even more. To back-track a little, since my daughter was about 15, she has gotten mono about every 3 months. She has been diagnosed with chronic mono. Though she did not have mono at the time of the extractions, could she be suffering from some type of autoimmune disorder/disease which has left her face permanently swollen (because she has had mono so often)? Also, has anyone ever heard of chronic mono for which there appears to be no cure? In addition, my poor daughter has chronic sleeping problems, as, every night, she is unable to fall asleep. I guess this may contribute to why she gets mono so often. Anyway, we have received no help regarding her swollen lower jaw area. Would anyone happen to know why her face does not return to its normal size? Thanks so much for listening! Here's wishing you all the best, always.

If you haven't taken her for a second opinion to another oral surgeon, you should. And if that doesn't produce answers, don't give up! You could try a periodontist, oral pathologist, ENT - maybe even an internal medicine specialist. I've had jaw problems for 3 years & I'm still trying to find answers. However after terrible pain for 2 1/2 years, my dentist finally found an abscessed tooth that went undetected by panaramic x-ray, CT scan, and MRI (she thought it a little loose & sensitive to cold so took a chance and drilled into it). Removal of that tooth helped some with the pain issue, but I am still having problems. I've read that some dental infections are incredibly hard to detect. Could it be the lymph nodes are swollen & and not the jaw? I'm sure there are exceptions, but too many doctors just shuffle you out the door if they can't figure out your problem in the allotted 20 minutes. Keep trying! Good Luck.
Jean

[Caligirl22]

You're a sweetheart, Jean. Thanks so much for caring and your quick reply! Our search continues...

what is your health status - any autoimmune suspicions from you and her dad? i'm not a dr. but it may be early rheumatic Sx. do you/he have achiness/stiffness in your body esp. in morning?

[Caligirl22]

Hello! Hope all is well in your world. Thx. so much for contacting me. My overall health is fine, but my husband has arthritis in his lower back and ankles. He also has achiness/stiffness in his body when he wakes up. Thx. again for your comments. From what I can find online, my daughter (with her already impaired immune system from chronic mono and many bacterial infections) may have 1) a cyst; 2) a (benign!) tumor; 3) an abcess; and/or 4) bacteria in her facial tissues (or bloodstream) for which a tissue sample may be advisable. Should anyone agree or disagree with my "unprofessional" diagnosis at this time, plz let me know! I'm actually in the process of scheduling an appt with a third oral surgeon to see if we can get some help and answers. Again, my thanks to all for your kindness.

Originally Posted by Caligirl22

Hello! Hope all is well in your world. Thx. so much for contacting me. My overall health is fine, but my husband has arthritis in his lower back and ankles. He also has achiness/stiffness in his body when he wakes up. Thx. again for your comments. From what I can find online, my daughter (with her already impaired immune system from chronic mono and many bacterial infections) may have 1) a cyst; 2) a (benign!) tumor; 3) an abcess; and/or 4) bacteria in her facial tissues (or bloodstream) for which a tissue sample may be advisable. Should anyone agree or disagree with my "unprofessional" diagnosis at this time, plz let me know! I'm actually in the process of scheduling an appt with a third oral surgeon to see if we can get some help and answers. Again, my thanks to all for your kindness.

I agree that all you mentioned are possibilities. That is what I found out from my research, too. Please let me know if you are successful in finding an Oral Surgeon who is helpful. Those abscesses can be hard to locate. The bloodtest should be done immediately as infection that travels in the bloodstream can migrate to different parts of the body and cause lots of problems. However, I do wonder about the reocurring mono. Have you ever been given a satisfactory answer as to why that is??
Jean (I really should log in)

[Caligirl22]

No, Jean, we haven't received a satisfactory answer regarding the chronic mono (which we, actually, had never heard of before). I assume that my daughter's hectic schedule of working 2 jobs, not sleeping properly, and not getting enough sleep at times may have a lot to do with it. I will be seeking another doctor's opinion about that in the near future as well. Many thanks for writing back, Jean. Alas, the never-ending illnesses of my poor young daughter continue...

[Jean Marie]

Originally Posted by Caligirl22

No, Jean, we haven't received a satisfactory answer regarding the chronic mono (which we, actually, had never heard of before). I assume that my daughter's hectic schedule of working 2 jobs, not sleeping properly, and not getting enough sleep at times may have a lot to do with it. I will be seeking another doctor's opinion about that in the near future as well. Many thanks for writing back, Jean. Alas, the never-ending illnesses of my poor young daughter continue...

I decided I had more to say, so decided to log in. Another thing you need to check is for osteomylitis (infection of the jaw bone). Again, hard to diagnose and an Oral Surgeon is who usually makes the call. I think the test they most often do for it is a nuclear jaw scan. I also want to emphasize (not scare you) how important it is that you make sure an infection hasn't entered her bloodstream. Please, I encourage you to get that checked right away...and if she should suddenly get very ill and starts running a fever, get her to a hospital immediately and tell them what you suspect. This isn't likely, but I just couldn't let it pass without saying something more. Bloodstream infections can be dangerous.

As a person who has dealt with jaw, neck, chest pain (after a dry socket, then an undiagnosed abscess for 3 years), I wish I would have done things differently...then maybe I wouldn't be going through the problems I am now. It occurs to me that ongoing Mono could be compromising her immune system and making antibiotics less effective. In a case like that, she should probably see an Infectious Disease specialist. The problem I ran into is that I began making all these appointments with specialists on my own (as my doctor didn't seem to have enough gumption). I ended up with records scattered from here to kingdom come which really can be harmful when trying to solve a "puzzle". Should you strike out with your 3rd Oral Surgeon, my advice would be this (for what it's worth). Find a medical center that specializes in diagnosing. These are usually teaching hospitals. Then make an appointment with an Internal Medicine specialist and let HIM/HER direct you to different specialties as needed. You may need to be adamant about who you want to be referred to - but remember, you are PAYING them. Hopefully, you'll find a good one who is compassionate and persistent (I haven't had that kind of luck yet, but I started late...after seeing several specialists on my own). Then all your records are in one place & the puzzle more easily solved...because given the Mono, there might be more than one thing going on - or one thing causing or complicating another. Hope that all makes sense. OK, I think that's all I have to offer.
Jean

[Caligirl22]

Much needed and appreciated advice, Jean! Very valuable, indeed! Thanks again for all of your great help! You've really made my week!!~ God bless!