Help. Can't cope with "toothache"

[HydrangeaBush]

I've got "toothache" that's been getting steadily worse. It woke me up last night and I took paracetamol and ibuprofen

Today it's got worse. I've stayed drugged up. At lunchtime I saw a dentist who said it's not a dental infection (to my surprise) and did an x ray of the area. However at that time the ibuprofen was working.

I can't take any more paracetamol as I'm probably slightly over what I shod take in 24 hours. I took ibuprofen an hour ago.

I'm in tears as the pain just won't stop.

What on earth can I do? What is it? NHS direct/111 when I go through it online just says to see a dentist... Which I have.

The drugs are kind of helping although I only have 3 days.

I think I've ruled out dental infection and sinuses.

She didn't really prod around the implant /try and clean it. Just tried to wiggle it and see if it hurt. It didn't (it hurts on the gum around it though) and actually it feels better with pressure.

There's a lot of work in my jaw and she said she didn't have the big x rays it would need a hospital machine for that so maybe I do somehow push trying to ring maxfacial tomorrow but I'm not really sure about how to get myself an appointment.

I've been to a dentist and a the GPs (well a nurse practicioner)
NP says they can't prescribe if they think it's dental.

I feel a bit lost. When you get sinus pain do you have congestion /snot etc? I haven't got any of that.

I had Covid 4 weeks ago and then had 3.5weeks off work as I just didn't recover very well. I think my body is quite run down 😔. I really need to be back in work.

Having said that I've just taken ibuprofen now as its stinging like hell. It kind of goes from "oh look drugs are working" to dull thud to "OWwww"

I have codeine and paracetamol dose left I can take before 3am.

Mate just go to a&e. You've tried everything else, you're still in so much pain you're taking max dose otc painkillers and you still can't do your normal life. Stop worrying about contacting people and just go to hospital. If needed they can refer you on.

But I'm not in agony with the drugs so it isn't an emergency really is it? They won't be impressed if I just waltz in fine and not crying in pain? Shouldn't I just ring them in the morning. Although I wish I'd gone in the night last night when it was agony.

Honestly my brain finds it hard to know what the "right" thing is I really had hoped gp/dentist would just sort it.

I don't think I can face a night sat in a and E either. At least if I'm in pain I can hide in my bed. My daughter has a really important hospital appointment (not same place) tomorrow at lunchtime and I can't miss it.

Thankyou all. I realise I struggle knowing what to do at the best of times.

The NP prescribed me stronger codeine so I was hoping I'd sleep tonight at least. I guess 2 nights with little sleep would explain some of. My current crazy.

I have minor congestion when the pain hits. My dentist calls it a sinus toothache and always asks me if I have been unwell previously which triggers it. I think I’m more sensitive as roots or nerves (can’t remember which) are very close to my sinuses. I would hazard a guess that Covid triggered yours.

It happened to me again in October and my doctor said he would have prescribed antibiotics but I was seeing my dentist later that day as I’d spent days not able to eat and taking painkillers like smarties. I ended up taking too many and being sick all night but Sudafed pressure and pain helped a little.
Two Amoxicillin tablets later and the pain was 90% settled.

I really hope you get it sorted. I wouldn’t wish toothache on my worst enemy. Tell them it’s facial pain and your dentist have ruled out tooth problems or they’ll send you in circles.

You're absolutely overthinking this, my lovely.

They won't think anything. Just explain your situation, tell them even with the stronger painkillers you're still suffering and go from there. You may need something for nerve pain or at least a proper facial x-ray to see what's going on.

I'll get Sudafed pressure and pain and see if that helps. I did get a nasal. Spray but it didn't make any difference.

Are you grinding your teeth? This can stimulate nerve pain. Do you sleep with a mouth guard?

something that helped me when i needed a root canal
was hot water over cloves, a bit of salt and cool it then swish it round the tooth. Makes it all numb and the sharp menthol will distract you a bit.

No I'm not grinding teeth -

I have some implants for dentures instead of teeth (another long story and super identifable probably now but it hurts and I don't care).

I had my jaw broken and rebuilt many loons again so I know I have mechano in it which was my fear with the pain but it could be other things.

I hate going to people and them not telling me what it is/what to do. I think that scarea me as much as the pain.

I over think everything (agonised about taking today off work and then by 6am realised I was crying and had 2 hours sleep and would not be able to work...)

Interesting about covid link above. Maybe I am run down.

Make sure when you sleep you don't lay on the side where the pain is as the blood gathers and makes the pain ten times worse.

Sleep on your other side with the painful area upwards.

I know MN gets very upset about this word, but Medical Gaslighting is a real thing. Sometimes it isn't deliberate, sometimes it is.

I've ordered meds online via approved sources also so agree with that poster regards that if you're getting nowhere.

I've had infections that never showed up, I've taken antibiotics and things improved. I saw a dentist, they gave me an x-ray, determined neurological pain as x ray clear. I managed to get antibiotics because I have a history of infections hiding. My pain improved.

Trust your instincts. Don't give up. I'd rather try some antibiotics than the codeine merry go round.

It's highly possible there's something going on with the plate you have.

Also, you suspect autism. This is significantly linked to hyper mobility. Us hyper mobile folk often have issues with the TMJ. This can impinge on nerves. You can get all sorts of symptoms if the trigeminal is impacted and any sensory nerves running through the TMJ area.

Good luck OP. Don't give up asking for answers. ENT referral is not unreasonable with the plate you have.

Hope you got the help you need op. How are you feeling now?

Hello! Bizarely much better. It just got less achey and less achey each day.

I still have no idea what it was. And the "gum" thats around my very receeded implant is still sore but I'm religiously brushing it.

That’s good news @HydrangeaBush . Hope it’s all sorted now.