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Original poster

Should I go to A&E?

168 replies

Isthismykarma · 26/07/2025 18:59

Had lower wisdom teeth out on Thursday and been on two lots of antibiotics since, amoxicillin and another one beginning with n maybe.
Woke up in severe pain at 3am and since then the ibuprofen and paracetamol have barely dulled it. Rang the dentist at 9am and they said to just keep going with the ibuprofen and antibiotics. Rang 111 at about 4 and a dental nurse called me back and basically said the same.
My right side is really swollen and a red patch has formed which has spread. This is what worries me most. I’ve attached pics - one taken at 3am and one at 5pm.

Should I go to A&E?
Should I go to A&E?
OP posts:
Foodylicious · 26/07/2025 21:57

Hope they sort something for you soon.
Maybe metronidazole ab's instead.

Beach11 · 26/07/2025 22:18

Hope you get sorted ave feel better

ninjahamster · 26/07/2025 22:21

Glad you’ve gone. When I had a tooth infection my whole face swelled up and they said it could have compromised my airway. I hope they sort it for you.

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healthybychristmas · 26/07/2025 22:21

I'm really glad you're being seen today. I hope everything goes well for you.

Original poster
Isthismykarma · 27/07/2025 03:34

Writing this from the ward!

My bum barely touched the seat before the GP sent me on my way to a different local hospital.
It’s very infected and I’m going to have to have surgery in the morning to remove the pus. Doc said its no big deal and takes her about 20 mins, but never been under GA before so nervous about that.
The morphine isn’t even touching it and the IV antibiotics I was told I was getting haven’t materialised, so I think it’s going to be a long night.

OP posts:
Dazzlemered · 27/07/2025 03:43

That looks so painful, glad you went and weee actually listened to. Hopefully they give you some iv antibiotics soon! Hope you get some sleep.

becauseitwas · 27/07/2025 03:55

paracetamol and ibuprofen will help.
maybe antihistamine tablet if ? allergy.
regular temperature checks (to monitor for sepsis)
iv antibiotics as will work quicker than oral.
stomach protection medication if on regular anti inflammatory.
swab to be sent.
bloods to be taken.
intravenous fluids if nil by mouth as for operation.
area to be marked to check spread.

becauseitwas · 27/07/2025 03:57

Intravenous paracetamol works fast.

uncomfortablydumb60 · 27/07/2025 03:59

Yes It looks like Cellulitis
You may need admitting for IV antibiotics

SENNeeds2 · 27/07/2025 04:11

Don’t worry about the GA - think of it as a rest
hope surgery goes well

Sunnysidegold · 27/07/2025 04:12

You poor thing! I'm glad you are getting the right help. Hope surgery goes well and your recovery is speedy.

Petitchat · 27/07/2025 04:22

Sunnysidegold · 27/07/2025 04:12

You poor thing! I'm glad you are getting the right help. Hope surgery goes well and your recovery is speedy.

Aww, feel for you.
Hope you get better soon Flowers

HeartandSeoul · 27/07/2025 04:28

Oh wow! You poor thing (not meant to sound patronising 😬). I hope the surgery goes well, and you are on the mend soon.

Re: the GA, you won’t know a thing! I recently had a GA for oral surgery, and it was absolutely fine. You will be given a mask to breathe through, and the very next thing you are aware of are the staff waking you up in recovery! If you feel a bit nauseous on waking, you will be given meds to help.

Tolkienista · 27/07/2025 04:28

You've got this.
Hang on in there, we're all rooting for you.

Scentedjasmin · 27/07/2025 04:34

Bless you OP! I hope that the op goes well and that you're feeling much better soon.

cheesycheesy · 27/07/2025 04:34

That looks so sore. Hope they bring you the antibiotics soon. GA is fine. I wouldn’t say it’s a rest. More like closing your eyes and opening them again straight away and the surgeries over and done! You’ll be fine.

autienotnaughty · 27/07/2025 04:38

If you can’t cope with pain ask for a stronger dose of morphine or oxycodine. If they have you on anti inflammatory ask for a stomach protector. If the meds make you feel sick ask for anti sickness tabs.
Good luck for tomorrow.

Inyournewdress · 27/07/2025 04:38

Oh god I really feel for you. I had horrendous pain and swelling with an infection that spread into the jaw bone and it really is agony. Once they have got some of it drained out/removed the pressure will be relieved a bit, hopefully then with strong painkillers and the right antibiotics things will start getting better and better. Hang in there! Don’t worry about the GA, it will be a light one for a quick procedure. I have had lots and no problems with any. Hope you feel better soon.

Messycoo · 27/07/2025 05:03

thank goodness you have been admitted, Yes long night, but wow I saw your photos and thought omgoodness!
At least your being monitored, by staff and hopefully you will be seen first thing and get the horrible infection washed out .
wishing you a speedy recovery ❤️‍🩹

DreamingOfALottoWin · 27/07/2025 05:14

ScaryM0nster · 26/07/2025 20:03

Most A&Es don’t do dental stuff, so it may well be a wasted trip.

It's worth looking at the dental emergency info for your area as you may want to get that going in parrallel with your potentially wasted A&E trip.

Did you actually see the photo's???

Its posters like you that stop people going to hospital when there maybe something seriously wrong with them.

DreamingOfALottoWin · 27/07/2025 05:16

Isthismykarma · 27/07/2025 03:34

Writing this from the ward!

My bum barely touched the seat before the GP sent me on my way to a different local hospital.
It’s very infected and I’m going to have to have surgery in the morning to remove the pus. Doc said its no big deal and takes her about 20 mins, but never been under GA before so nervous about that.
The morphine isn’t even touching it and the IV antibiotics I was told I was getting haven’t materialised, so I think it’s going to be a long night.

Edited

Hope you have had iv's by now.
If not keep on at them.

Petitchat · 27/07/2025 05:25

@Sunnysidegold

Sorry, my post was meant for OP and I accidentally quoted yours 😊

WoodlandLove · 27/07/2025 05:26

Flowers OP I'm so glad you went to A&E. You're safe in good hands now. I had a dental abscess once, and it was the most horrific pain. So I really hope they can get you out of pain soon, and make you comfortable.
In few days this will be a distant memory. Take care and hope you recover quickly after the op 🙏x

PeonyBulb · 27/07/2025 05:34

A&E won’t do anything for the pain. They will turn you away even if you arrive in tears becayse of the excruciating agony

See your GP asap and get them to prescribe Zapain for the pain and a different type of antibiotic

Be persistent because dentists can only prescribe certain medication which don’t always work so you even if your GP says they can’t prescribe as it has to be the dentist you just stand your ground and say they can’t prescribe you what you need and your GP will prescribe the zapain and antibiotics

WoodlandLove · 27/07/2025 05:37

PeonyBulb · 27/07/2025 05:34

A&E won’t do anything for the pain. They will turn you away even if you arrive in tears becayse of the excruciating agony

See your GP asap and get them to prescribe Zapain for the pain and a different type of antibiotic

Be persistent because dentists can only prescribe certain medication which don’t always work so you even if your GP says they can’t prescribe as it has to be the dentist you just stand your ground and say they can’t prescribe you what you need and your GP will prescribe the zapain and antibiotics

I think you missed OP's update. She's been referred to another hospital. There now, and getting IV meds.