29 weeks pregnant, tearing-hair-out type tooth ache

[BabyOrSanta]

What are my options?
It's a tooth where the root is still in and has been for nearly a year. Had to go to OOH dentist at 16(?) weeks as had 2 infections including one in this "tooth" and had antibiotics. Said to go to my dentist for hospital referral but my dentist won't even do a non urgent appointment let alone a referral and tbh I have no confidence in her as she left the root in in the first place. No where else taking new patients on NHS, can't find anyone private to do referral that I can afford.
Tried paracetamol, heat, can't stand cold.
Help please!!!

[BabyOrSanta]

Meant that there is no tooth, only root

Pain all in jaw up to ear

[AuldHeathen]

Is there a dental hospital in your area with a walk in clinic? Failing that, phone the NHS line, explain your problem and ask for your options. In some cases a pregnant woman can have a light anaesthetic for a short time to have a problem dealt with. At 16 weeks it’s a very long time to delay treatment till the baby’s born. I hope you can get the help you are needing. All the best.

[BabyOrSanta]

Unfortunately there is nothing and, afaik, nothing overnight as 111 always state "within 12 hours" which it normally is.

I may end up phoning 111 to see if there's literally anything that can be done but I really don't hold out much hope. Though I'm guessing the hospital may be able to give painkillers?

Thank you for responding, I feel like I could literally rip my hair out

[AuldHeathen]

Oops, just reread the title. No idea where l got 16 weeks from. I think phoning 111 looks like the best option for you. And l hope they can help.

[BabyOrSanta]

Just waiting for OH to get here as I can't speak much as it's hurting so much. Also feel sick.
Please let 111 help!!!

[BabyOrSanta]

So I ended up surviving through the night without calling 111.
Tried to sleep as much as I could which wasn't much.
Can barely drink let alone eat. The one coffee I managed to drink (thinking calories) I promptly threw up. I also threw up loads of bile first thing as there's nothing in my stomach.

I've been to:
Pharmacist: gave me some stuff that's like bonjela but not. Didn't work
Dentist: no emergency appointments, try calling the one in next town. Nope, got to call tomorrow morning
GP (not appointment, the receptionist passed the message on): take paracetamol, won't prescribe anything else as it's a dentistry issue

So I'm completely stuck unless I have heavy bleeding (which seems to be the only thing 111 will do anything urgent about).

Can anyone think of anything else before I lose my mind/just go to a&e?

[BabyOrSanta]

Oh and the reason I didn't call 111 was because OH was exhausted as he works shifts and I was in my "paracetamol is working for half an hour" window... I'm thinking this was a big mistake

[Feministcheeseplate]

Just go to ae. Toothache or earache are the worst especially while pregnant. My husband was seen out of hours by the emergency dentist purely based on pain no bleeding etc

[Feministcheeseplate]

OH AND it was 111 that arranged emergency dentist

[UnbornMortificado]

I'd go to A+E I can't imagine you being in pain and therefore likely stressed is good for the baby.

If you can't get to it, codeine is pretty safe but should be prescribed by a Dr during pregnancy. Ibrufen isn't recommended but paracetamol is ok.

(I'm not a prescribing HCP, but suffered in my last PG you have my sympathy)

[Daffodils07]

Im sure codeine isn't given anymore when pregnant, I know they wont let me have it and im breastfeeding.
You can still have work done while pregnant (local anesthetic) I had to have a wisdom tooth out when pregnant.
What needs to be done to stop the l5ain permanently (extraction,killing the root?)

[Daffodils07]

Sorry pain*

[BabyOrSanta]

Thank you both

I don't want to go to a&e if I can help it - but I'm thinking this might start to be an emergency soon as I've had 4 biscuits in 24 hours and the baby is not liking it one bit. She keeps moving and it definitely increases when I'm in agony agony (rather than breathe through it agony).

I have called 111... who told me to keep drinking (can't except small sips when I'm desperate) and take paracetamol (I've reached my paracetamol limit for 24 hours). A dental nurse is going to call me back but I have no idea when. If it's not before half 6 I think I may have no option but to go to a&e as at least they can give me pain relief even if they can't sort the problem.
I keep bursting into tears which is really not good but at least my eyes are having a contact-lens-free day

[BabyOrSanta]

I don't know whether I have another infection but afaik it's a quarter of a molar's root that needs to come out as it was left in and she wouldn't refer me to have it out, instead saying to come back which is not a possibility as I'm terrified of dentists and not even my mum will come with me to see her as she's so scary and aggressive.
I have another tooth that has a root stuck but touch wood it doesn't hurt ATM.

[UnbornMortificado]

I didn't realise the rules might of changed sorry OP, have you an urgent care?

I had a trapped nerve (not mouth) and Urgent care did prescribe without much of a wait.

[Anatidae]

You need to be seen if you’re not eating or drinking. Try 111 again, state you can neither take on food or fluids and are dehydrated. If that doesn’t work you may need to go to A and E. Where in the country are you? Almost all dental hospitals will have emergency clinics and student clinics.

[Feministcheeseplate]

Better to go to a&e now than at midnight op.

[AllTheWhoresOfMalta]

I had an abscess on a wisdom tooth at 24 weeks pregnant with my eldest. The pain was worse than labour, I maintain that now after having had two children. There are plenty of painkillers you can take, you can also have sedation to pull the tooth/remove the root. I ended up going to triage as I was over 20weeks (on the advice of 111) who admitted me for pain relief and then had me see a maxo facial doctor to sedate me and sort the issue. I also have intravenous painkillers and antibiotics.

In the short term at the very, very least a HCP out of hours should be able to give you co dydramol for the pain but in your shoes now I would go to A and E and refuse to leave without some pain medication. "Have some paracetamol"
Is not an answer. Take your partner to advocate for you.

I know how awful this is. Good luck OP.

[BabyOrSanta]

Been to a&e...
The triage nurse immediately referred me to the OOH doctor. Spelt my name wrong, got my weeks wrong and didn't even ask how long I'd had the pain for...

Waited 2 hours for the doctor who said that there is nothing they can give me, wasn't at all concerned that I hadn't eaten or drank much let alone slept.
Said that she can't give me anything, can't do anything, make sure I get an appointment with the dentist tomorrow. Oh and she also, very nicely, dropped in that if I take any other OTC painkiller except from paracetamol that they would be questioning my ability to care for my baby and put my baby first. Which, when you're in pain, tired and can't do a bloody thing, was really welcome.

So it's another night of no sleep, not able to properly drink or eat anything. And hoping that the dentist will see me tomorrow.

Thank you all for your support. I'm (literally) going to go and cry now.

[Feministcheeseplate]

Christ. Twats. If men could get pregnant they’d bloody well know what was safe and not pull the nothing at all line.

Look I had an ear infection when pregnant with dc 1. Thought my head was going to explode. I took co codamal she’s still here and she’s going through the sarky 6s but I’m sure that’s unrelated. Women have been taking the occasional otc medicine for decades. Stess levels are also important. Take something and sleep.

[Neverenoughspoons]

What total rubbish the doctor told you. I have a chronic pain condition and have had to take multiple strong painkillers through 2 pregnancies. Yes it's not ideal, but neither is excruciating pain and lack of food, fluids and sleep! I've seen various doctors during the pregnancies and breastfeeding that have all been aware of my meds, none have ever said anything like that to me. I'd actually complain when you get sorted. In the mean time I'd be taking cocodamol when you're next due paracetamol. Have you tried clove oil?

[Neverenoughspoons]

Cocodamol instead of paracetamol that should've said.

[BabyOrSanta]

What she said really did upset me. And, as you can see, I am still awake. Now I'm in a sort of zombie state where I could get run over and not really feel it.
She has seriously shit me up though so I've only taken one paracetamol to get through it although I'm not sure it's helping.
Afaik, there's no reason for her to have said it at all except maybe that I was on antidepressants when I got pregnant?

The cocodamol is at the ready for the 2.30 drug time, just in case I need it... which I'm hoping I won't

[AllTheWhoresOfMalta]

That is RIDICULOUS. I had that tooth pulled, dressed, was sedated whilst they did it and was given intravenous painkillers all whilst pregnant. How DARE they leave you in that sort of pain. At the very least get someone to go and buy you some codeiene and take it, it won't harm your baby. You need to be out of this pain. I'm flabbergasted on your behalf.

[Feministcheeseplate]

Ah! I was sure I read it was ok in the second trimester but not usually given first or third.

So basically don’t get your baby’s addicted OP, I don’t think a couple of doses in the 16th week will do that though.