Should I be in this much pain after the first stage of root canal?

[TheFairSheep]

Hi all. I had the first stage of root canal at the emergency dentist a few weeks ago (gaining access to the pulp, clearing it out and adding some sort of antiseptic and a temporary filling). I could not find an nhs dentist to finish the root canal so had to go back to the emergency dentist yesterday evening due to the severe pain returning. They repeated the same treatment again and sent me on my way to continue trying to find an NHS dentist.

As soon as the anaesthetic began wearing off I could feel ALOT of pain which got worse over the next hour. I cannot explain the level of pain. I have never cried from physical pain in my life before last night. It was by far the worst thing I have ever felt. I have been taking the maximum dose of painkillers for the last few days (before the treatment and after). I managed a few hours sleep after pumping myself full of ibuprofen and cocodamol and woke up this morning still in complete agony. I took my daughter to school holding back tears and feeling like the whole right side of my head is about to explode.

Is this normal? I have heard root canal can be painful but everything I can find online says there should be relief with some discomfort - this is absolutely not that.

Any ideas please? I cannot afford a private dentis and have no idea where to turn now.

Thanks

Just to add, when I had this same treatment a few weeks ago the pain afterwards was maybe a 2 or 3, this is a 9 or 10. The worst pain I have ever felt.

which tooth is it? I had a root canal in a back tooth which gave me on and off extreme pain for years. In the end, I had the tooth removed.

It's not normal. I've had a root canal and about to have a second one done in 2 weeks. I've never had any pain during or after the treatment.

No. I don’t think you should. I’ve had two root canals over two sessions and I didn’t have much pain in between. Maybe phone 111 and see if you can see another NHS dentist? Hope you feel better soon x

Or maybe even A and E as the pain is so bad?

I've had two root canals yes some pain but I just took otc meds.

It's hard to say, I have a prolapsed disc which without morphine is a 10/10 on pain. And in comparison I would put tooth pain around a 5/10, similar level of pain to when I broke my shoulder. For comparison I would say childbirth was around a 6/10.

But everyone's reaction/experience of pain is different. If you feel it's too much get it looked at.