To not understand why I have to suffer instead of being given painkillers

[Anon8604]

Background: I'm on a waiting list to have two teeth removed as I've been told by my dentist that it's complicated and not something they can deal with at their practice. It's another three weeks until my assessment with the dentist I've been referred to and then it'll be another wait to have the treatment.

So this week I've been in lots of pain with my teeth, to the point where I'm getting almost no sleep because of it. I made an emergency dental appointment yesterday and explained the situation. Dentist looked at my teeth and confirmed I need two removing and that I'll have to continue waiting for my referral appointment.

I said I understand that but I'm in so much pain I cannot sleep at night, paracetamol isn't helping at all so what can I do in the meantime. I can't take NSAIDs (ibuprofen, disclofenac etc) as I have asthma and they trigger wheezing and I can't take co-codamol as I'm breastfeeding and codeine is not recommended when breastfeeding.

Dentist says there's nothing they can do about it, I'll just have to wait for my appointment and try to cope with the pain until then. I asked if there's a reason they couldn't prescribe me painkillers that are safe when breastfeeding (which I know exist as I was prescribed them after having a c section) and the dentist said they don't prescribe painkillers as ibuprofen is the most effective for toothache. I say I understand that but I can't take ibuprofen as last time I did I ended up in A&E. Dentist says in that case just continue taking paracetamol. I said paracetamol wasn't helping and I've barely slept for days. Dentist said just keep taking the paracetamol and hopefully I won't have to wait too long for the referral. I left almost in tears because I just can't cope with this for weeks longer.

So, I'm now awake at night again, crying and trying to distract myself from pain by moaning on mumsnet wondering how I'm going to get through tomorrow (and the day after, etc) on two hours sleep and with horrible toothache.

So....AIBU to:

1. Not understand why my dentist won't give me any painkillers, despite agreeing that my teeth are causing me pain and need treatment.
2. Ask if anyone has miracle cures for toothache that I can try to get through the next few weeks.

I know I probably sound pathetic but it hurts so much and I literally don't know how I can manage weeks more of this before my appointment. I don't get why they would not prescribe painkillers when I'm in so much pain and there are safe and effective painkillers that I could be prescribed.

Ask your doctor for different painkillers?

Would a doctor give me anything for toothache though? I thought they would say I need to see a dentist instead? I don't even mind spending ages in a walk in centre this weekend if a doctor could help, but I just assumed if it's about my teeth then they'd say I need to see my dentist?

I had to go to my GP when I was in a similar situation. They understood and gave me strong co-codamol which I know you can't take but they will be best to advise you.

You have my deepest sympathies it really is a dreadful pain.

Go to the GP and explain you are in pain and it is affecting your mental and physical wellbeing. Request dihydrocodeine, this is probably what you had after your c section.

Thanks! Sounds like I'm wrong about a GP not being able to help then. I'll try NHS 111 and see if they can send me to an out of hours place over the weekend.

1. Dentists have a very limited list of things they are allowed to prescribe. For example- they are not allowed to prescribe codeine.

1. Ask your GP to prescribe you something stronger. If stronger drugs are contraindicated with breastfeeding- you may have to choose between pain relief and breastfeeding.

Thanks donajimena, toothache really is horrible isn't it.

acquiescence, that was what I was given after my c section and I remember it working really well, so if they'd give me that hopefully it would help with the toothache too.

Dihydrocodeine is what you would have been prescribed. It is safe when breastfeeding as cannot cross into the milk. See your GP, they can prescribe it. It's not fair you are left in pain due to an allergy to ibuprofen.

There are many options you can take whilst breastfeeding, you don't have to choose between painkillers and breastfeeding. The Breastfeeding Network publish a leaflet "analgesia and breastfeeding" which explains the options

www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/drugs-factsheets/

Your dentist should be prescribing you something suitable. Obviously they don't wish to for whatever reason. Your GP may or may not prescribe you something, they are not insured for dental problems so may redirect you to your dentist. In your shoes I'd see a different dentist

If paracetamol is not working, you cannot take NSAIDS and you can't take codeine then unfortunately you will need some prescription painkillers to combat this.
You can actually buy dihydrocodeine and paracetamol in your local chemist in the UK but you will probably be hard pressed to find a pharmacist willing to sell it from my personal experience... FYI they are called Paramol.
Would be better to get from GP as they can see if anything else would be safer alternative for your child whilst breastfeeding as the dihydrocodeine has a limitation on its use whilst breastfeeding to ensure no harm to the child.

Clove oil is amazing for instant numbness for teeth problems.

And brandy. Hope it gets sorted quickly. I was prescribed diclofenac after my section. Can you try something like that?

Call the dentist every day to say you cannot cope, it is outrageous that you have to wait so long when you are in pain!

Just go to the doctor...

I would have gone to the dentist too as I know that doctors often refer you back to them if it dental related.

Just a thought though, what you want might be on their list of drugs they can prescribe- defo try 1111.

Hope you've got some sleep.

I'm a dentist we can no longer prescribe dihydrocodeine the stronger painkillers we can prescribe cocodamol, etc you can't take so you will need to see your GP for find the right painkillers for you, the dentist is correct there is nothing else he can give you.

I too thought it had to be the dentist. Sounds like that's not the case. I hope you get an emergency GP appointment.

I had terrible toothache a couple of times but mine was infected so perhaps these won't work for you - stick-on gel strips around my jaw gave some relief to sleep a bit when painkillers weren't working. The ones I buy are Kool n Soothe.

Check cold is good though. I once put a heat pack on my jaw and made it so much worse.

Poor you. That sounds awful. Why didn't your dentist tell you to go to your GP for goodness sake?

Sounds awful Anon. Bad enough without also having to care for a baby.

Hope you can find an out of hours surgery today and get some relief

You poor thing!
When I had excessive tooth pain last year, I don't think dentist gave me anything - but GP prescribed appropriate (strong) painkillers as soon as I asked. Good luck, hope it gets better.

Thanks again everyone, I'm going to try to get an out of hours GP appointment and hope they can give me something that helps.

I'll try the clove oil and Kool n Soothe things too, I found ice packs help a bit so hopefully that means cold is good.

Teacup, thanks for explaining about what dentists can prescribe now. My dentist saying he couldn't help makes a bit more sense now, though I wish he'd suggested going to my GP yesterday.

dentist are limited.usually only allowed to prescribe the two usuals. so go to your gp.they can see pain and will act accordingly.explain the situation too.i did this.they gave me stronger ones.
and get yourself to the chemist and get some orajel,comes in little red box.AMAZING!!

You could also contact PALS at the hospital where you have been referred.
I kept ringing the appointments number at my hospital dental department begging for an earlier appointment and asking if there were any cancellations.
They kept telling me there was no chance.
When I finally got to my appointment (complicated extraction) the nurse quite breezily said
"Oh- we get loads of cancellations! You should have asked to be put through to the nurse. The appointment people can't help you.
We could have seen you weeks ago"
I was so cross.
Sorry it is the bank holiday now so your only hope is probably via a walk in centre.
Toothache is grim and often not taken seriously by hcp.

I've just called NHS 111 and they've said a GP will call me back within 12 hours, but hopefully sooner. Fingers crossed they call soon and can help. The NHS call person was lovely and sympathetic, which made me feel a bit better.

I had to go to out of hours dentist last weekend due to terrible pain, and I was phoned back within 20 mins and was in the chair 3 hours after I phoned 111. Hope that gives you something positive to hold on to.
You have my deepest sympathies, dental pain is the absolute worst, and it's so tiring and wearing. Hope you get some relief today. Don't be too stoic - tell them exactly how much it hurts. You need your rest with little ones around (I assume there are since you mention bf)
Hope it goes well