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.

I went to my GP in a similar situation and they referred me back to my dentist. I had to wait 11 months to have my tooth out.

Be careful with out of hours and walk in GPS if you want pain relief. I couldn't get an appointment with my surgery at Christmas re a long standing painful condition and was directed to the local walk in. After a 4 hour wait they told me they can't even prescribe codeine to walk in patients. No use at all.

A letter from your dentist confirming diagnosis and inability to prescribe strong painkillers would help you though. Otherwise how many gps give out strong painkillers for toothache without any proof of dental care plan?

Yeah you need codiene and naproxen!!! If you can't get it, go to the pharmacy and buy the strongest ones you can get.

Poor thing. Hope you feel OK soon!

Oh my so much sympathy. It's truely horrendous. Definitely second clove oil.

Most likely they won't want to prescribe you
Seriously strong meds as they are highly addictive. You only have them for a few days after a c section for a
Reason

Borderchick she can't have naproxen because of her asthma and she can't have codeine because of the breastfeeding. Read the thread!

Dentists are limited in what they can prescribe and very unfortunately for you, you have 2 things that rule out most of the pain relief available

You need a discussion with a doctor about what you can have while breastfeeding - according to the helpful factsheet Hopelessly linked to you could have dihydrocodeine or tramadol.

Toothache is absolutely the worst. My last bout, I cried when the dentist numbed my gums because I hadn't slept for so long.

Dihydrocodeine is a stronger, synthetic version of codeine. Cocodamol is codeine and paracetamol. For all intents and purposes - with regards to breastfeeding, they are the same drug. I have used all three after c-sections and with toothache while breastfeeding. I was given tramadol last time. How old is your nursing? That is what makes the difference. If your baby is small and new then I understand the concern- but with a healthy full-term infant it is important that you function and they give it to you after a section! Cocodamol is codeine and paracetamol, that's all. And you 're taking paracetamol!

I was prescribed cocodamol for pain relief after birth of DS - didn't interfer with breastfeeding at all!
Been prescribed dihydrocodeine during pregnancy too (though in my case just made me feel sick and spaced out rather than stopping the pain I'm afraid!)

So they shouldn't be avoiding prescribing either to you during BF, as far as I can see. Hope you get some pain relief soon, toothache is bloody awful :(

I've had so many dental crises I forget how many root canals I've had. In my experience, there isn't pain relief that works for dental pain.

The only thing that helps me is taking sledgehammer sleeping tablets to knock me out - temazepam works for me. I don't know what's ok during breastfeeding but as others have said, you may have to choose between relief and bf.

I'm so sorry, it's the worst, the absolute worst.

Ah, tooth she is the worst. You have my sympathies.

I was prescribed co-codamol for 2 months after birth of dc1though, then was changed to codeine for another 6 months. Dr knew I was breastfeeding. I think it's one of those where you have to speak to gp before taking it but it's not definitely going to interfere with breastfeeding.

diclafenic (sp) is an nsaid so dont get that will cause a bigger reaction than ibuprofen

Toothache is horrendous.

But:

Dentist: Try this painkiller?
OP: Cant, allergic.
Dentist: Try this painkiller?
OP: Cant, breasfeeding.
Dentist: Am out of options.
OP: Thats unreasonable. I demand drugs!
Dentist: Ummm....

Doctors have a vastly wider range of options for painkillers so as others say I would try there.

You can take cocodamol when breastfeeding. You can take any opioids. These are the same types of drug you had after your cs. Buy some 8/500 cocodamol over the counter. It will be better than paracetamol - just don't tell the pharmacist you are breastfeeding.

I am a doctor. 8/500 is a weak strength and will barely get into your milk, but may be just enough to offer more relief than paracetamol.

Don't take paracetamol with cocodamol.

I've been suffering awfully with tooth pain this week, haven't been able to eat or sleep, having quite literally wanted to die at times. I'm pregnant so limited in what I can have. The dentist gave me a prescription for antibiotics and have a follow up next week (I'm praying they just pull the damn tooth!)

Anyway it never occurred to me to ask for painkillers from my dentist! I made an emergency appointment at the doctors and he prescribed me codeine (which you obviously can't have but I'm sure you can get something you can). I really strongly suggest getting in to your doctors, they won't let you suffer I'm sure!

Check with your chemist or GP if you can have the adult version of

Bonjela, (teething and tooth pain gel) yes there is an adult one, 😉 It might help.

Or perhaps see your gp for dihydrocodeine as you might be able to go a bit stronger

clove oil is really good for instant relief but not long lasting. agree go to gp for painkillers, they should prescribe as you have seen the dentist and waiting for a referral.

Poor you! I had awful toothache last year and couldn't take ibuprofen or cocodamol because of other medication I'm on. I found Extra Strength Oragel helped - it was recommended by a pharmacistand and you can buy it over the counter. You apply it to the tooth and it numbs it.

I take back my previous advice. When I worked on n obstetric ward they used codeine but it seems the advice has changed. (I was also given codeine after my cs but that was years ago) Codeine no longer suitable, see your gp for dihydrocodeine. Apols

Im in exactly the same position as you, but I was taking ibuprofen but I can not take them now due to stomach problem that taking them has caused.

I have bought dihydrocodeine from Sainsburys pharmacy as from boots before as paramol no problems buying it at all but this was a while ago. Worth visiting a big pharmacy and giving a try.

Your dentist should have told you to go to your GP, and not just shrugged and told you what he couldn't do. Very poor show.

You can't buy dihydrocodeine without a prescription but you can buy co-codomol which has codeine in it.

www.pharmaceutical-journal.com/learning/learning-article/advice-around-the-use-of-codeine-by-breastfeeding-mothers/11105475.article

Interesting in this older article that codeine is considered the safest drug after nsaids! But this is old so clearly advice has changed. I had my cs in 2011 and was given regular 30/500 cocodamol! 😮 DD never slept though so obviously didn't make her drowsy! 😂

Although dentist can prescribe anything they want on a private prescription they are restricted when it comes to NHS prescriptions. You dentist obviously doesn't feel confident prescribing other painkillers or perhaps he doesn't know how to write a private prescription. As others have said, you need to see a doctor.