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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To take time off work for a dry socket infection?

47 replies

Sophiehannah95 · 13/03/2020 18:44

I had a tough time after a wisdom tooth extraction which has resulted in a dry socket and a nice little infection which has me up most nights in the early hours in agony. I have been to my dentist who has packed it with a medicated dressing and gave me antibiotics and although the pain is more bearable, it’s still there.

I’ve currently been self-Certing the last couple of days but I feel so guilty about being off with this. I attempted to return to work last week and found i was so distracted by the pain I could barely concentrate (I work in a SEN school). Am I being unreasonable to seek a fit note? Has anybody Else experienced this before?

TIA xxx

OP posts:
MaintainTheMolehill · 13/03/2020 18:46

YANBU My dh had this and was in tears with the pain for over a week. Hope it starts to feel better soon.

BeginningBridge · 13/03/2020 18:47

You can self-certificate for 7 days and would only need a fit note if you need a longer absence from work.

From what you said, it sounds as if a self-certificate should be fine.

Fluffybutter · 13/03/2020 18:48

Definitely not being unfair , it’s horrific.
Hope you get some relief soon

Rosegoldglass · 13/03/2020 18:48

I feel like I lost a week of my life due to dry socket infection. Was one of the most awful weeks of my life. Take the time off if you need it.

Orangesandlemons82 · 13/03/2020 18:49

Dry socket pain is the most intense pain I have experienced. You would not be unreasonable at all to take time off sick from work. I couldn't concentrate on anything when I had it and was completely sleep deprived too.

Witsend101 · 13/03/2020 18:50

YANBU a dry socket is really painful

ShrimpSymphony · 13/03/2020 18:51

I wouldn’t be able to concentrate on work with that kind of pain

The3Ls · 13/03/2020 18:52

I needed a week I'm a speech therapist. I actually really needed 2 weeks as it still ached. But the second week was school hols so I could mostly do paper work I thought it was worse than child birth

Everythingsr0sie · 13/03/2020 18:52

The only time off I’ve had in the last 6 years was due to dry socket. It was so painful and I felt so ill.

Do not feel bad at all and hope you feel better soon.

Original poster
Sophiehannah95 · 13/03/2020 19:07

Thankyou everyone, I always have such a guilty conscience about being off but you’ve put my mind at ease that it seems a lot of people agree the pain is horrific :( I’m hoping it improves over the weekend but I’m just so exhausted from broken sleep.

OP posts:
grannyshark · 13/03/2020 19:22

Yanbu, I found it more painful than gallstones. I work with SEN children and the bucket loads of patience is demanding to say the least let alone with toothache or dry socket infections

AngryFeminist · 13/03/2020 19:37

Echoing everyone - never had pain like it. Sick note and cocodamol and don't let the guilt creep in!

Original poster
Sophiehannah95 · 13/03/2020 19:46

Also! Adding on from that, does anyone know of any strong painkillers that don’t contain codeine as I have adverse reactions to the stuff. Ended up in AnE last time :( xx

OP posts:
BlueJava · 13/03/2020 19:47

Don't feel bad if you are in pain/not sleeping. I had a dry socket from an extraction - gosh it was very painful and I did take a day off work after a particularly bad night.

Nanna50 · 13/03/2020 19:49

I was off with a dry socket, very painful and was given diclofenac which took the edge off.

shiningstar2013 · 13/03/2020 20:18

YANBU sounds awful. Get well soon Flowers

Teenagemaw · 13/03/2020 20:23

Ive had three days off due to a double extraction of two molars and had to get stitches... without even having a dry socket i felt I needed it because i cant eat normally and am taking pain killers and had an abcess, i dont feel guilty at all, well maybe a wee bit Grin

AllergictoWerewolves · 13/03/2020 20:25

I've never had a dry socket but my patients that have tell me it's worse than toothache! You are DEFINITELY not unreasonable to take time off.

Delbelleber · 13/03/2020 20:25

When I had dry socket I could have cut my own head off, I mean if it was in my arm I probably would have. It was the most horrendous pain!
YaNbu and I hope you are feeling better soon Flowers

pooopypants · 13/03/2020 20:32

Do it. I had dry socket / infection and the pain was ridiculous. I'd rather give birth again than go through that.

MoonBlood · 13/03/2020 20:33

YANBU! It’s the worst pain I have ever had in my life! I found soaking a tiny bit of cotton wool in clove oil and pushing it into the socket with tweezers was the most amazing relief. (If you’re looking for suggestions)

Original poster
Sophiehannah95 · 13/03/2020 21:51

Thanks very much everyone, I feel so much better knowing I’m not the only one whose been tearing their hair out over it xx

OP posts:
CarolinaPink · 13/03/2020 21:52

I don't understand why you feel guilty taking time off for such an extremely painful thing. I've had it - it was a nightmare.

FWIW what helped me was oil of cloves. Pour into saucer, soak cotton wool bud and apply to socket. It was like magic for me. Painkillers did nothing.

I hope you're better soon Thanks

Hooleywhipper · 13/03/2020 21:54

YANBU , one of the worse pains I’ve ever experienced. Get well soon.

WombatStewForTea · 13/03/2020 22:03

YANBU
When I had dry socket I literally didn't sleep for days on end the pain was so bad. If I'd had the energy I'd have happily thrown myself under a bus.