February 27, 2006
What's wrong with us

We are suffering from a very odd malady.

Here are the symptoms. Aching neck, swollen glands, terrible jaw ache which has migrated to different parts of our faces in the last three or so days. Mine is now in my jaw, cheek and eyebrow. Alyosha's is in his jaw, ear and eye area. Kepler, thankfully, seems to be unaffected.

Tonsilitis comes to mind because when we were in Bristol, my nephew Sam, was ill with that but we don't have sore throats.

I looked up these odd symtoms on WebMD.com. They all point to toothache. If we didn't both have it right at the same moment I would be high-tailing it down to the dentist. I've already checked up on cheap dental options. Poland, or for a more tropical view past the dentist and his pliers, Costa Rica. Anyway, I'm ruling that out as we are both in pain. The next and only other likely thing listed on WebMD was shingles. But we have no blisters. Eeew. I'm not even going to mention H5N1... ooops... too late. Anyway, if there are any hobby doctors or shamans out there who would like to take a stab at a diagnosis we would be happy to hear from you.

Comments:
Sounds awful. I have no idea what it could be. Go to the doctor!
Posted by: Lesley | February 27, 2006 07:16 PM

Find it very strange that you both have similar symtoms. You mentioned being with Sam, what about Keplers school. Any thing there, as Kepler could be the carrier. I too think a trip to the Dr would be a good thing.
Posted by: Mum | February 28, 2006 09:35 AM

Sinus infection. That's where my money is. I get them when I have a cold. Usually just on one side. Aching ears. Sore cheekbone. Read the WebMD on that and see if it sounds right. As to cure: Try a decongestant like pseudoephedrine plus pain reliever. Drink lots of water. I think they are bacterial sometimes, so an antibiotic might be advised if it continues. Hope you're feeling better.
Posted by: Kristi Porter | March 01, 2006 05:32 PM

Sounds like allergies to me... sinus allergies feel like a cross-breed between a toothache and a head ache, with pain radiating around the jaw. If I sound like I've been dipping into the medical-brittanica, I have only been dipping into the Advil bottle, for I have the same complaint here - although I doubt it's from the same mold burbling in some dark corner of the stairwell. Might be an OD on MSG. Have you eaten at the neat Asian market lately?
Posted by: Gommie | March 02, 2006 11:38 PM

did you have mumps when you were kids? or have you had the vaccine?
Posted by: sylvie | March 05, 2006 10:52 PM