Scared of starting metronidazole

[G123454321]

Been through the wars with my mouth since December. Multiple infections, partial root canal, impacted wisdom tooth surgery & more infection. I'm now waiting for an extraction on the root canal tooth as it's beyond saving.

It's infected and since December I have taken, 3 courses of amoxicillin and 3 courses of erythromycin.
My dentist has told me I have to do Metronidazole as the infection must be resistant by now.
It's on my notes as allergic because last time I took it, I was hospitalised and I'm scared s*less about starting it again. I agreed to give it a try, but I feel like a wimp being scared.

If you have had an allergic reaction in the past please do not start taking this drug. Go to a pharmacy and speak to the actual pharmacist. Call your GP and ask them to quickly review your notes before you take it.

I take it the prescription was dispensed by the dentist rather than a pharmacist you could speak to?

I was at the dentist who asked me about the allergy. She asked what happened last time, and if I was willing to give it another try as I have exhausted all other options.
I'm so sick and tired of being in immense pain. Maxing on pain killers and taking sleeping pills (ones I am prescribed) during the day to get a break from the pain.

I took the prescription to the chemist who made it up with not a word of warning about it at all. Thankfully I know no alcohol.

There are other broad-spectrum antibiotics, so don't worry that this is the only option available. It might be the only one your particular dentist is familiar with. Your infection might need to be swabbed and sent to a lab to be tested for antibiotic resistance and the correct antibiotic identified. I don't know, but a pharmacist or GP would. I wrote my first message in haste in case you're sitting there about to pop a metronidazole right now.

I've had this with erythromycin. Dentists keep trying to prescribe it despite it being on my notes that I've never completed a course because of the to me severe side effects (under GP advice and another prescribed in its place).

It's crazy to just dismiss a warning on your notes, and from you. I mean fucking crazy. Allergies don't tend to improve with repeated encounters. Get advice from other medically qualified people, today if possible.

Did you tell the chemist about your previous issues?

Please get advice from a doctor - and also consider changing your dentist as it does not sound like it’s going well and pressing you to take an antibiotic you’re allergic to, without first trying others, is crazy. There are many many different antibiotics including some for antibiotic-resistant infection. Or it may be he is prescribing too low a dose.

I’m also confused why the dentist is prescribing amoxicillin and erythromycin, these are what my GP prescribes to my child but I have always been prescribed stronger antibiotics. Eg I thought erythromycin was just for kids and that the adult version was azithromycin. Anyway PLEASE talk to your GP asap because this dentist sounds like an idiot.

Elfycat. I didn't tell the pharmacist, as assumed the dentist knew what she was talking about.

Thewindwhispers. She said amoxicillin is the first port of call and then metronidazole, that's the reason I have had so many erythromycin doses of which I think I am on a high dose. 500mg 4x a day.

I'm due to start the metronidazole Sunday, as have to finish this course of erythromycin first.
I am seeing my oral surgeon for a final follow up on the wisdom tooth surgery tonight. I will ask his advice on the matter too. I wont be able to get through to my GP. Have to be dead for that around here.

@Thewindwhispers

Please get advice from a doctor - and also consider changing your dentist as it does not sound like it’s going well and pressing you to take an antibiotic you’re allergic to, without first trying others, is crazy. There are many many different antibiotics including some for antibiotic-resistant infection. Or it may be he is prescribing too low a dose.

I’m also confused why the dentist is prescribing amoxicillin and erythromycin, these are what my GP prescribes to my child but I have always been prescribed stronger antibiotics. Eg I thought erythromycin was just for kids and that the adult version was azithromycin. Anyway PLEASE talk to your GP asap because this dentist sounds like an idiot.

You'll have been prescribed different antibiotics because you'll have had a different type of infection that needed a different type of antibiotic. You can be confused about what has been prescribed, that's because you don't have medication knowledge, it doesn't mean they're wrong to prescribe these drugs and it doesn't mean that they're an idiot. They are perfectly valid prescriptions (bar the metronidazole perhaps if the OP is truly allergic as opposed to intolerant).

I couldn't say whether my previous reaction was a true allergic one. I was given it post surgery and was sick with vomiting and diarhea and severe confusion.
I ended up on the floor of the waiting room at the GP followed by an ambulance and a 3 day stay in hospital.
Possible intolerance. Very scared to be in that situation again, but I'm in a lot of pain. I have not had a day free of toothache since December 14th, my first visit to the dentists.

Do you definitely have an infection? Do you have facial swelling? Pain does not always equal infection, and antibiotics aren't always the right course of action. You've had so many courses of antibiotics I would question whether another course is appropriate, especially not metronidazole and especially not if your allergic/intolerant.

You have posted a lot of threads about this problem, you were very insistent it was the wisdom tooth but now it seems to be the original tooth. You need to firstly get the original tooth extracted, the sooner the better really. Secondly I would look at possible other sources of facial pain, which your dentist should be investigating.

I was very confident that the pain I was having before was the wisdom tooth. It was without a doubt causing me pain, but may not have been the only cause of pain.
The molar is infected. The xray showed it, and it's possible that I have had infection there for a long time, but it was not painful due to the abscess draining through the loose gum around the wisdom tooth area. That is now sealed.

I do have facial swelling, and a fever. I am booked in to have the extraction done on the 17th March and am on their cancellation list too.
I apologise if I have posted a lot of times on this. It's comforting to have people to talk to.

I really feel for you. I've just been through a similar experience and it was hell. I've never known pain like it. The antibiotic you are due to take was prescribed to me. It gave me violent stomach pains and sickness. Please talk to your gp. I really hope you get it sorted soon. Sending hugs.

I’m allergic to it and would point blank refuse to take it ever again.
A second reaction can cause loss of feeling in hands and feet permanently. This happened to my mum too.

If you have facial swelling and a fever you need to push for treatment1. Your dentist needs to drain the swelling and remove the tooth today, the infection isn't going to resolve until you have the tooth removed. If your dentist won't see you call 111 and find another emergency dentist who will manage your infection properly and not just throw antibiotics at it.

You can have a long term chronic infection in a tooth that does not require antibiotics, antibiotics are only required if there's facial swelling. Metronidazole alone is unlikely to be appropriate for an abscess that has originated from a tooth

Metronidazole is really good with dental infections, I have had it several times but I think I'd get a second opinion before taking it if you might be allergic.

Saying that, I have a penicillin allergy and have once had to take it for an infection that just wouldn't shift. I had a very unpleasant couple of weeks but it did resolve it. If I wasn't sure that it was a true allergic reaction, I'd probably try it.