To take time off work for a dry socket infection?

[Sophiehannah95]

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

I didn't take any time off with mine but I agree it's the most painful thing I've ever experienced. I was delirious with the pain and have no idea how I managed to work (I also have a 4hr commute on top of a long working day).

In hindsight I was an idiot to go to work - it's not like they appreciated me making the effort anyway. I'd take a few days off if I was you but would be wary of getting a fit note. You may have no choice though as for me, talking was unbearable as cold air hitting the socket was excruciating.
Hope you feel better soon.

Yanbu. I had a few days off last year for this. Bloody sore

I'm getting a tooth extracted in a couple of weeks that I've been putting off for 2 years for this exact reason 😭 it snapped so there's only half the tooth left.
I'm not sure I'm gonna end up at the appointment tbh I have such anxiety over it. Mainly due to the pain after the failed attempt last time.
Don't feel guilty about work at all. Toothache is bad enough I can't imagine dry socket pain is any better.
As pp said. Would rather give birth again 20 times over.

YANBU. I had an infection after wisdom teeth removal and it was the worst pain I've ever had. I had to take a week off work and my husband was off to look after the kids.

I found naproxen the best for managing pain. Don't think that has codine in it. I use anti inflammatories for pain management more than paracetamol as I find them more effective.

Did you need a prescription for your pain medication or can you get that over the counter? :) xxx

I had this in my early teens. I soldiered on with school each day. It was fucking agony and I couldn't focus. I have a massively high pain threshold too! So no you are certainly not BU!
You couldn't concentrate at work like this

YANBU it's beyond agony, I've had it twice.

I second the clove oil suggestions - I've never had dry socket but it seems to work great for toothache - just wanted to say you need to be careful not to get even the tiniest bit on your tongue as it tastes absolutely revolting. Hope the pain eases soon, YANBU btw.

I had two dry sockets and infection. I would have rather given birth over and over again.

I didn't sleep properly for days and spent most of my time crying. It was awful. No way would I have gone into work.

I hope you feel better soon.

Oh I hope you feel better soon. I’m having two teeth removed under sedation soon and I’m absolutely terrified of this happening. Definitely take time off.

Definitely YANBU have had this, dreadful pain.

If the dentist has packed it that plus antibiotics should help soon.

Paracetamol and ibuprofen every two hours in rotation ie paracetamol-wait two hours, take ibuprofen, wait two hours, take paracetamol- was the only way I found to take a bit of the edge off.

My pain medication is all OTC. I am out of the UK though so I'm not sure if it's possible to get naproxen OTC in the UK. My sister has it and is in the UK but her prescription is for a high amount.

But just normal ibruprofen OTC in the UK has always been my preferred choice. You can alternate between paracetamol and ibuprofen to help.

Not even remotely unreasonable. I ended up with dry socket two weeks ago and it’s been horrific. I’m bloody miserable. Medicated dressings from the oral surgeon was the only thing that gave any relief for a few hours. I used the endone to knock myself out so I could sleep. Pains finally eased but because I’ve been clenching my teeth from pain all my teeth now hurt so I’m still uncomfortable and can’t eat properly.

I had dry socket once and I can honestly say it was the most excruciating pain I have ever experienced and in fact I have a friend who has had it twice after wisdom tooth extractions and like myself was in agony.

The pain from it genuinely is unbearable, so no I don't think you're being unreasonable at all.

Ask Dr for strong painkillers ! There's one similar to Ibuprofen but stronger and better than codeine for tooth pain

Yes naproxen. Get it from dr

Shows how bad dry socket is. Normally mumsnetters would be telling you to carry on working and pull yourself together.

The dentist prescribed mine when he packed it.

I've had it TWICE!!! My advice to people is to always book dental procedures on a Monday. Nothing worse than being left over the weekend with no access to care.

And ice packs to literally numb the area, and clove oil and cotton bud: amazing.

Just an updated! The antibiotics have kicked in and I am happy to say that last night was the first night I wasn’t up taking ibuprofen in the middle of the night! Wahoo! No pain all day either 👏🏻 Back to work tomorrow! Xx

God no. I’ve had it and there is no way I could’ve worked.
Was considering banging my head on the wall to knock myself out at one point