Possibility of Lyme presents urgency

DEAR DR. GOTT: My husband, age 59, recently lost a tooth. His dentist “glued” it back in place with some sort of bonding substance. Since then, the tooth frequently loosens and falls out. My husband now keeps a super glue on hand and reattaches it himself.

Around the same time his tooth fell out, he started complaining of pain traveling throughout his body. Sometimes it is in his wrist, which causes swelling, and other times it is in his hips, causing him to shuffle when he walks. Other times, he says he feels it’s in his blood, resulting in an all-over pain. He claims that he will often feel better after physical activity. He takes ibuprofen regularly to control the pain.

We thought it might be Lyme disease, but now I’m wondering if it may have something to do with the “glue.” He started a new job and will be eligible for health insurance in the fall. He would like to put off seeing a doctor until that time, as he does not want a record of a pre-existing condition.

Thank you for any help you can give us. I am very concerned about him.

DEAR READER: Did the dentist give your husband a reason why the tooth fell out? In my experience, healthy adults typically don’t lose teeth without a reason. This can vary from poor oral hygiene to medication side effects.

I am not sure the bonding agent the dentist used is to blame; however, given that the tooth falling out and the onset of pain coincided, they may be linked. My first thought when you described your husband’s symptoms was some form of arthritis.

If there is a possibility of Lyme, I urge your husband to undergo testing. Lyme is not a self-limiting infection; it will worsen over time and without treatment can cause serious, permanent damage. The sooner the diagnosis is made and treatment is begun, the better. There are far too many individuals suffering the long-lasting effects of undiagnosed Lyme simply because they waited too long to see a doctor or, unfortunately, their physicians put off their symptoms, often claiming, “We don’t have Lyme disease here.”

I understand that your husband doesn’t want to have a pre-existing condition listed in his medical records when it comes to obtaining new health insurance. However, he isn’t doing himself any favors by waiting.

DEAR DR. GOTT: Almost two years ago my husband had a CT of the lungs ordered by his regular physician. His scan showed “multiple lymph nodes” and he was referred to a lung specialist, but he refused to go. He canceled his appointment, and no other follow-up has taken place. My husband is a stubborn man sometimes. What does “multiple lymph nodes” mean?

DEAR READER: Lymph nodes are filters within the lymphatic system. Most people are familiar with having “swollen glands” associated with a sore throat. These are, in fact, lymph nodes responding to an infection. These nodes are located throughout the body in the neck, chest, groin, under the arms and other areas, and can swell in response to bacterial and viral infections, inflammation, certain immune disorders and various forms of cancer.

Treatment depends on the cause, but your husband is still without a diagnosis. In most instances infection is the cause; however, your husband must have been having some difficulties for the CT to have been ordered. He is risking his health, and possibly his life, by refusing to see the specialist. Unfortunately, until he consents there is nothing you can do for him. I recommend you try to reason with him and express your concerns; perhaps he will relent.