Posting for traffic - A&E or wait it out until 9AM

[OfAllThePlaces]

I have an infection in my gum, caused by a slightly loose tooth. Saw dentist two days ago who said teeth look fine and to take antibiotics, which I have done for 2 days.

I'm on immunosuppressants (low dose chemo) and have stopped taking while I am on antibiotics.

I've got worse over the past two days, the full side of my face, from my neck to my forehead, including ear is very painful. I've taken paracetamol, ibuprofen, codeine, and I also take pregablin. Nothing is working, I've not been able to sleep.

My throat is sore just on that side, my lips are tingly, my mouth is so painful, my ear hurts, and I have a banging headache. I just want to cry. Hands and feet are freezing, but I don't seem to have a temperature.

Did 111 online, and it's suggested seeing a dentists ASAP, although it only asked the basics.

Should I shoot off to A&E, or wait to see if my dentist can fit me in some point today?

Given the immunosuppression, I'd go straight to a&e. Your potential for sepsis is higher so you need to get it checked now.

Absolutely a and e. Do not wait.

I agree. I'd go now. Good luck.

111 is for simple cases and useless at anything else. Go to A&E.

Definitely A & E

Agree A&E. Hope you’re ok

I agree go to A&E. Sepsis is not common in tooth infections but with the chemo you never know. Do keep us updated and good luck

Doesn’t sound like sepsis but I think it’s an infection you can’t shift because your body is that run down because of the immunosuppressants. Not a nurse before anyone comes for me , I’m just on the same meds and have had numerous dental issues sadly. You need iv antibiotics and most likely the tooth taking out but they won’t touch it while it’s infected. Do you have a funny taste at all? Could be an abscess brewing. Either way it’s an a&e job sorry.

I would go to A&E as soon as possible! Sending love x

A&E but please mask up in a tightly fitting mask and find somewhere well ventilated to wait. Otherwise you risk bringing home covid too, based on current infection levels.

Thanks everyone. read the first few posts and decided A&E it was. Luckily my local one isn’t far, got a taxi. 7-8 hour wait, have had obs and bloods taken though, probably because of chemo tablets.

@Deebee90 no funny taste in my mouth.

Probably too late but - I would only go to an A&E at a hospital that has a dental/maxillofacial department - as if they don't, then as much as A&E is warranted they may not be able to help.

Hope all goes well OP

I’m glad you’ve gone to A&e. Dental infections can be so serious. Earlier in the year I had a wisdom tooth infection and I ended up with near total inability to open my mouth due to the inflammatory response to the infection. Dentist was pretty worried about the risk of airway compromise. It is not something I’d want to repeat.

Absolutely agree as I was in the same position 3 weeks ago. After having it drained by emergency dentist, he warned me to go to A&E immediately if I felt worse. Said that airways could become compromised very quickly and warned of sepsis. Hope you feel better soon.

Are uou ok op?

Sorry for taking so long to update. Ended up having IV antibiotics, 2 lots, 12 hours apart. Got out last night around 7. I've got some different oral antibiotics to take, and tramadol for the pain, so I'm in a bit of a sleepy druggy haze.

Thank you all for your support, just helped having someone push me to do what I knew I needed to do.

I’m glad you went and have been treated. Do you have someone to look after you at home?

Hope you’re ok - get back to the dentist and have the tooth removed!

My lovely DH has been running around after me, he's a good'un.

If you are not feeling substantially better in 36 hours, go and seek more medical care. Specific antibiotics work on certain types of bacteria, so they always have to make an educated guess on what is causing the infection.

That’s good!

Hope you feel better soon. How are you today?

How are you doing now @OfAllThePlaces ?