State of Play

I've made an appointment to have my decaying tooth on the right upper side either filled or extracted. It's only going to disintegrate eventually just as the one of my left upper side did some time ago. I felt that perhaps some bacteria was leaking into my bloodstream and exacerbating the autoimmune problems. 

I asked Google's Gemini: 

Is it possible that a decaying tooth could trigger an autoimmune response in the body? 

No, a decaying tooth itself wouldn't directly trigger a full-blown autoimmune response. Here's why:

Autoimmunity: Autoimmune diseases occur when the body's immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissues.

Decaying Tooth: Tooth decay is caused by bacteria feeding on sugar and starches in your mouth, producing acid that eats away at the tooth enamel.

However, a decaying tooth can indirectly contribute to inflammation and potentially worsen existing autoimmune conditions:

Infection:  The bacteria that cause decay can spread through the tooth and into the gums, leading to an infection. This infection can trigger inflammation, a localized immune response.

Weakened Body:  Chronic inflammation from a dental infection can put stress on the body's immune system, potentially worsening symptoms of existing autoimmune conditions like Sjogren's syndrome (which affects saliva production) or rheumatoid arthritis.

Overall:

Decaying tooth -> bacterial infection -> inflammation (not full autoimmune response)

Inflammation can worsen existing autoimmune conditions.

So the tooth is probably not to blame for my current troubles but it's best to deal with as such decaying tooth can certainly spread bacteria around the body with unpredicable consequences. Meanwhile my autoimmune situation has become chronic and is proving quite debilitating. 

With difficulty, I'm walking around the block everyday just to keep up my mobility but the stiffness and soreness in my hands, feet and right shoulder are a constant. I'm not getting worse but then again I'm not getting better. This afternoon I felt especially bad and took one Ibuprofen and one Paracetamol. This gave me considerable relief and now, hours later, I still feel quite comfortable.

However, once the medication fully wears off, I'll probably be back to where I was. I still can't sleep in my bed and have resorted to spending the night on the sofa in the lounge room. I want to try some visualisation and self healing this evening in an effort to effect a cure.

Treadmill Excesses

A couple of days ago I spent an hour on the treadmill walking at a rate of 5km per hour. Toward the end of my session, I became increasingly fatigued and once I finished I was not feeling well. I came down with flu-like symptoms that were intense enough to prompt me to take two paracetamol tablets. My condition has gradually improved but I still feel far from normal.

Perhaps the events of a couple of day before my treadmill overexertion are relevant. I imbibed too much red wine one evening and blacked out toward the end of my drinking session. By blacked out I mean I don't remember doing what I did until told by others. What I did was quite mundane. For example, vegetarian pizza was ordered but I have no recollection of eating it. This was my only serious drinking session since New Year's Eve where I had a similar black out. It seems that once I consume more that one bottle of wine I'll have a blackout.

This never used to be the case so something is going on metabolically. Here is what I asked Bard:

Why do people who drink too much alcohol sometimes forget what they did during their intoxication, even though they are awake and acting more or less normally.

Alcohol affects the brain in a number of ways, including disrupting the hippocampus, a part of the brain that is important for memory formation. When a person drinks too much alcohol, the hippocampus can become impaired, making it difficult to form new memories. This is what causes alcohol-induced blackouts.

In a blackout, a person may be awake and acting more or less normally, but they will not form memories of the events that happened during the blackout. This is because the hippocampus is not able to store new memories while the blood alcohol level is high.

The amount of alcohol that it takes to cause a blackout varies from person to person. Some people may experience blackouts after drinking only a few drinks, while others may be able to drink more without experiencing a blackout. There are a number of factors that can affect a person's risk of experiencing a blackout, including their age, weight, gender, and the speed at which they drink.

The day following my blackout I felt quite vacuous, not physically ill but just kind of psychologically blank. This feeling hasn't really left me and my body is still sore from my back and leg injuries. Though these injuries are gradually fading, I still feel vaguely "fluey". A change has come over me that's hard to quantify. It's just a feeling that all is not as it once was.

Getting Sick

I felt the onset of a cold last night and took some Panadol at 6 pm and again just before midnight. It's now 5 am and I may take another dose after my morning walk. My illness supports the notion that the cold virus, as with many other viruses, is always inside us. It only takes a shock to the body in the form of my recent overexertion to weaken the immune system and allow the virus to replicate. To my knowledge, I haven't had any close contact with anyone who was ill.

I haven't been sleeping all that regularly lately which hasn't helped. I don't like taking any medication but I always reach for the Panadol Green when cold symptoms arise. Here is what ChatGPT had to say about Dextromethorphan:

Dextromethorphan (DXM) is a medication commonly used as a cough suppressant. It belongs to a class of drugs known as antitussives. Here are some key points about dextromethorphan:

Purpose: Dextromethorphan is primarily used to relieve coughing. It helps to suppress the cough reflex by acting on the brain's cough center.

Over-the-Counter Availability: Dextromethorphan is available over the counter in many countries, often found in various cough and cold medications. It is commonly found in syrup or capsule form, sometimes combined with other ingredients such as expectorants or decongestants.

Effects: When taken as directed, dextromethorphan is generally safe and effective in relieving coughing. It can provide temporary relief from persistent or irritating coughs.

Recreational Use: Dextromethorphan can produce psychoactive effects when taken in large doses or in ways not recommended. Some individuals misuse or abuse dextromethorphan for recreational purposes, seeking its dissociative or hallucinogenic effects. This is known as "robotripping" or "dexing." Misuse of dextromethorphan can be dangerous and should be avoided.

Dosage and Precautions: It is essential to follow the recommended dosage instructions and guidelines provided on the medication packaging. Taking excessive amounts of dextromethorphan can lead to adverse effects, including dizziness, drowsiness, confusion, nausea, vomiting, and in rare cases, even more severe reactions. It is important to be cautious and consult a healthcare professional if you have any concerns.

Drug Interactions: Dextromethorphan may interact with certain medications, such as monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), and other substances that affect serotonin levels. These interactions can lead to a potentially serious condition called serotonin syndrome. It is important to inform your healthcare provider about any medications or substances you are taking before using dextromethorphan.

As with any medication, it is advisable to read and follow the instructions and warnings provided by the manufacturer and consult a healthcare professional if you have any questions or concerns about the use of dextromethorphan.

Here is what ChatGPT had to say about Pseudoephridrine HCl:

Pseudoephedrine HCl is a medication that belongs to the class of drugs known as decongestants. It is commonly used to relieve nasal congestion caused by various conditions, such as allergies, sinusitis, or the common cold. Here are some key points about pseudoephedrine HCl:

Decongestant Properties: Pseudoephedrine acts as a vasoconstrictor, which means it narrows the blood vessels in the nasal passages. By doing so, it helps reduce swelling and congestion, making it easier to breathe through the nose.

Over-the-Counter Availability: Pseudoephedrine is available over the counter in many countries, often found in combination with other ingredients in cold and allergy medications. It is typically available as tablets or capsules.

Nasal Congestion Relief: Pseudoephedrine is primarily used to relieve nasal congestion, including stuffy or blocked nose symptoms associated with respiratory conditions. It can help alleviate discomfort and improve breathing.

Duration of Action: Pseudoephedrine's effects typically last for a few hours, providing temporary relief from congestion. The duration can vary depending on the formulation and individual response.

Potential Side Effects: While pseudoephedrine is generally safe for most people when used as directed, it can cause side effects in some individuals. Common side effects may include increased heart rate, elevated blood pressure, nervousness, restlessness, insomnia, and dry mouth. It is important to adhere to the recommended dosage and consult a healthcare professional if you have any concerns.

Legal Considerations: Pseudoephedrine is a regulated substance due to its potential use in the illicit production of methamphetamine. In many countries, it is sold behind the pharmacy counter or subject to purchase restrictions to control its distribution and prevent misuse.

It is important to read and follow the instructions and warnings provided by the manufacturer and consult a healthcare professional if you have any questions or concerns about the use of pseudoephedrine HCl. They can provide personalized advice based on your specific health needs and any medications you may be taking.

Panadol is a brand name for paracetamol and its analgesic and antipyretic effects are well known. Of course I'm mindful that "taking excessive amounts of paracetamol can be harmful and may cause liver damage". I was diagnosed with a fatty liver back in 2009, during a medical checkup but never found about it until 2015 when I read the medical report. 

After my gall bladder removal in 2016, my liver function test came back normal so that was a positive. It would be interesting to know if I still have a fatty liver after many years of sobriety but I don't want to submit to any medical procedures unless I have to. Hopefully I'll be well again soon and can discontinue the use of this medication.