Hi,
I'm not sure what I'm looking for here - maybe someone with experience of this that might say "ah ha" and give me some advice, because I just don't know where to go! In case relevant, I am a 45 year old female (born female too).
Short details - I had a dental infection in the summer, left side, very severe and the dentist isn't convinced it's gone (neither am I), 6 weeks ago my shoulder started hurting - told over the phone it's a rota cuff injury. Just over a week ago my hip was suddenly agony. Minor injuries told me it is a bursitis and to rest. All of these are my left hand side.
Longer info - in case anything relevant - dental infection was horrendous. I had 4 lots of antibiotics, and whilst it got better, there is definitely still swelling in my left cheek and a little pain in the cheek bone. At the weekend just gone, it was more swollen and hot to the touch, still like it now.
Shoulder pain - I spoke to a physio on the phone but it seemed to have improved so they said I'd injured my Rota cuff, sent me a leaflet with exercises and told me to book a face to face if it gets worse. It has gotten much worse so I need to do this. I've hesitated because I'm wondering if everything is linked and should I see a physio, a doctor or a dentist!
Hip pain - started whilst out for a walk a week Sunday ago. Came out of nowhere - no fall, no trip, etc. Pain worse as the day went on, bad nights sleep so went to local minor injuries unit the next day. They did an examination and said i have a bursitis and need to rest it and take painkillers.
At home I obviously googled bursitis to find out info, and it certainly sounds correct. I then noticed you can get it in your shoulder so I looked that up - the symptoms match exactly the pain and positions I get the pain in, and it affects the Rota cuff, so I think that is also a bursitis.
I also read is bursitis can be caused by an infection. I had blood tests done 2 weeks ago, they showed an elevated white blood cell count - but only just (top of the range was 10, mine was 11).
I don't have a fever or any symptoms of a widespread infection. But I can't help but wonder - is it purely a coincidence all of these are on the same side? Or are they all connected? And if they are connected, who do I go to see?
Would love to hear anyone's thoughts on this - even if just to tell me it's likely a coincidence because there's a 50/50 chance it could be the left side, so not that much of a coincidence of that makes sense!
Also, any advice on helping the pain in my shoulder or hip would be gratefully received as I'm popping Tramadol like candy (can't take NSAID's due to chronic kidney disease) - I have these for chronic back pain and that is also spiking at the minute - I'd rather try to fix the problem than mask it.... and it's not masking it anyway! I am overweight (was losing weight with the walking) - diet not shifting anything though. I blame peri menopause!
And who would you go to see (if anyone)? I don't want to waste anyone's time, but at the same time if my hunch is right, I don't want to be in A&E with sepsis by the time I get someone to listen to me!
Thank you and please be kind - I feel really rubbish, am in a lot of pain, and very frustrated at not being able to get out walking! Sorry it's a long post!