AIBU and being a big baby? Tooth extraction -

[seanconneryseyebrow]

So after a week of excruciating pain I had my tooth extracted on Friday morning. So day 3 now. I’ve barely slept in a week, round the clock pain killers. Today I’m in so much pain, face massive, bruising. I’ve had four kids but this has knocked me for six. I just want to cry I’m so fed up.

Is it normal to feel in this much pain? Can your share your dental stories so I don’t feel like such a big baby. I can’t work I’ve basically been in bed for a week on round the clock painkillers, and there’s been tears too. V unlike me.

Recovery was about a week from diagnosis and treatment, not from extraction. I read online that some people go every day or every other day for packing but I wasnt offered that (nhs). I went to dentist with massive pain and said I felt like taking pliers to it, he took it out there and then and the pain worsened instantly, through the local anaesthetic. In hindsight I think I should have had antibiotics first for the infection then the extraction later. I can't believe the level of dental pain people are expected to put up with, I was pacing the floor. I had some naproxen in the house so took that but was writing down all the timings as felt at risk of accidental overdosing, and was counting the hours to next lot etc

And you prob dont have anything to dislodge, the clot has gone hence dry socket so def keep up with warm saline

I will. Just got back. Bloody horrendous. Dentists are sadists.

Baring in mind it is soooo sore and delicate around jaw, the gums and all the teeth on that side, let alone the socket itself. He wanted to inject me all over there - was agony. Then dig about right in the socket. Like he was digging for treasure. He wanted to check for fragments. None fortunately, big wash out then a packing. The anaethestic has worn off now so Im in agony again. He said its just taking longer to heal due to the length the extraction took, and my body. Thinks it might take up to 3 weeks. Im bloody fed up tbf. Ive been muddling through with work, and peoples birthdays, but its just all a bit grim.
Better than I was for sure, but still quite shit.

Dentists aren’t sadists. I appreciate you’re in a lot of pain but that’s simply not true. The dentist will have been trying to generate a new clot today to get healing to take place. Unfortunately there is no quick fix and some people just take longer to heal no matter everyone’s best efforts. It’s minor comfort to you now but there will be an end, hang in there, taking your pain killers, antibiotics (if course not finished) and rinsing as advised. I assume you don’t smoke?

I think I've got ptsd from going to the dentist. I either love him or hate him. Ive only recently stopped sticking 2 fingers up when I drive past the clinic 😊 He initially told me it would be instant relief once the tooth was out 🙄But I am grateful really. You are on the mend.Can you get stronger painkillers?

Jesus, I was only joking! Obviously. lol.

No Im not a smoker.

You have my sympathies. I had all 4 wisdom teeth out (2 at a time) and it was horrendous, I swear the pain was worse than childbirth. My lip was split as the dentist had such a hard time getting one of them out, I was so swollen I looked like a had a stroke, my mouth was all wonky!!!

Yeh I did say to him is it alright if I swear, and he laughed and said swear away they hear it all the time. I may have said fuck rather loudly! lol. At the end I also joked that he is very lovely but I can't stand him right now - he took it all with good humour. I hear you about the PTSD - I actually think im quite traumatised from the extraction which sounds ridiculous but I was shaking like a leaf the whole day after it.

I never thought that the digging about and felt like he was recutting it was to create a new blood clot. Makes sense. But feels like Ive gone backwards yanno? And yeah im on the hard stuff - codeine. Which is good but I cant poo. UGH. F.my life.

Good lord thats awful!!!

I always feel stuff at the dentist, but I’m a redhead who doesn’t really numb well
it took 6 injections to do a root canal on me and a top up of another 2 part way through
I had a skin flap under my arm done with local and felt every stitch as they couldn’t get me numb

The only thing I didn’t like about my root canal was they didn’t numb my gum beforehand just dived straight in with anaesthetic and it bloody hurt. Then the burning when they finished off the string or whatever. I was also told it was complex with 2 roots or something. Just what I don’t want to hear!

Lucky me! I had a complex route canal treatment apparently. The burning is apparently normal heating rubber based filler to seal canals.

For the codeine-constipation try Lactulose. You can buy it over the counter, a couple of swigs of that really helped me when I had to take codeine for an extended period of time.

I hope you're feeling much better very soon.

That sounds awful. I’ve had 2 dry sockets but this doesn’t sound anything like that with how long it’s lasting. While you might have had one, I doubt the ongoing pain is coming from that. Sounds more related to the raging infection and very poor healing. Do you need to change antibiotics? Also, codeine related painkillers are as useful as a chocolate teapot for many people. I don’t find them useful at all!

Im better than I was but still struggling. Still not sleeping well, round the clock painkillers, and eating soft. BUT I am a bit better. Its just very very slow recovery, im not sure why. I have a holiday booked on Frid-Mon. I asked if I could cancel but no dice. Im pretty pissed off, cos I really don't fancy it now - despite the fact I was looking forward to it so much. I got to back back to dentist tomorrow and Im always in a lot more pain after as he always like to dig about. Ugh. Im back at work, but its a struggle I wont lie. Bloody over it.

I also really miss kissing my boyfriend. Kissing is so important to me and I feel a bit starved right now. Just the act of pucking my lips hurts like hell. And it was our anniversary on Sunday, and this weekend was supposed to be a mucky romantic weekend in a cabin in the woods in cornwall. :(

Im sorry its been so rubbish. I had to go on a mini citybreak with a friend while I was recovering ( a longstanding arrangement) and was dreading it as thought I wouldn't be up for it, couldn't have alcohol etc plus she is v chatty. But actually the distraction really helped ...