Covid positive but I need emergency medical help

[Dentistwithcovid]

I tested positive for covid at the weekend and don't come out of isolation for another 5 days. But I've broken a tooth and the nerve is exposed. I am in agony. I cannot take any painkillers or antibiotics besides paracetamol as I have severe allergies which cause anaphylaxis.

I badly need emergency dental treatment immediately but I have covid! I can't find any information anywhere about this and can't get hold of 111 - does anyone know what I should do?

Im genuinely curious to see the response. We’ve had nearly two years to learn new protocols to treat positive patients. It doesn’t seem unreasonable to be able to do it even if it’s an uncomfortable amount of PPE for the medics.

Great news, hope you get through the night ok

@Dentistwithcovid

I've spoken to 111, they've agreed it's an emergency and I'm being seen first thing tomorrow at the emergency dental hospital.

That is very good news

Sorry that wax for @rrhuth

@Suretobe dentists have been wearing ITU level PPE all the way through.

When I last saw my dentist she was just in a surgical mask and face visor

That’s good, but can I just ask about the pain killers thing? Are you allergic to everything? That must be really hard.

I’m not sure about an exposed nerve but for toothache/nerve pain my dad never touches alcohol but says it really helps with this and he is right. Take a mouthful of vodka or whisky and keep it in your mouth and let it seep down into the tooth and gum, it might give you some relief tonight. You don’t have to drink it, you can spit it out (if you want to)

I’m so sorry you are suffering. Hope you feel better soon.

[quote Motorina]@Suretobe dentists have been wearing ITU level PPE all the way through.[/quote]
That’s what I’ve understood. And I’m not at all trying to be antagonistic but it’s hard to believe that this far in it’s still hard to get emergency dental treatment.

@Suretobe I completely agree. Two years in they need to find a way to make this work and that goes for not just dental treatment!

Oh god this sounds like a nightmare.
Have you tried ringing round every dentist in the area and asking for help? Someone may be willing to see you, or they may be able to offer better advice on self care for the meantime.

[quote Motorina]@Suretobe dentists have been wearing ITU level PPE all the way through.[/quote]
I went in September and they just wore a medical face mask and that was it, I think it varies, probably by the dentist and what they feel comfortable in.

I was to the dentist yesterday and everyone in the room was wearing high level PPE - basically gas masks it looks like!

OP for you - I’m really glad you can get seen. You must be in agony, I hope you can sleep a bit tonight

Glad you're being seen OP

just to add to comments re dentist...I guess it depends on what you're having done...I had fillings earlier this year (around May) and the dentist had masks on for consultation but then went out of the room before starting and came back in head to toe PPE - overalls/all in one, gloves, masks etc, as if he was entering a bio hazardous unit! I was surprised but I think it's because all the stuff in your mouth is getting sprayed everywhere etc with drilling etc.

No - up until recently it was by procedure. Anything aerosol generating - i.e. involving drills - was FFP3s, long sleeved gowns, etc.

The new guidance (link on previous page) reserves FFP3s for aerosol generating procedures on covid positive patients, although with Omicron I suspect many will be wearing them for more than that.

The issue with getting emergency dental care is due to there being very very few NHS dentists with space in their books, and not to do with not being able to treat covid positive people. Although Covid has reduced capacity and made the access issues worse!

Fortunately, @Dentistwithcovid is sorted

Are you allergic to everything? That must be really hard.

Anything except paracetamol gives me swelling and/or anaphylaxis, yes.

Hope you get sorted. I had toothache Jan 2020 I was in agony. Its the worst pain . 😞

So pleased they are seeing you. I did the same thing one year on Christmas Day, pre covid times, I phoned my dentist Boxing Day and he opened the surgery for me. I felt such a nuisance but I was in such pain that I couldn't wait and apologised, he said, "Don't worry, it was a great reason to hurry the ILs on their way, they'd have been hanging around for hours otherwise." His wife was his nurse and she just rolled her eyes.

I’m a doctor, I’ve never met a patient allergic to all antibiotics. If this is the case then push for an allergy clinic referral. Your life could be at risk in the future if you truly can’t take all antibiotics. I’ve never met a patient allergic to more than a couple of classes of antibiotics. When people have allergies we ring microbiology and they always have alternatives.

I have idiopathic angiodema and almost all medication brings on swelling.

Glad you are getting sorted OP - I've just had a really bad dental abscess and I've never known pain like it, including childbirth x 3. I wanted to pull my own head off. I was coming on to say I got emergency treatment from my own dentist (and was ?covid as I had a raging temp - ended up just being due to abscess), but was going to suggest dental hospital. Good luck tomorrow.

Yeah, my dentist & nurse wore full ITU level PPE. It must depend on the surgery.

@Dentistwithcovid

Are you allergic to everything? That must be really hard.

Anything except paracetamol gives me swelling and/or anaphylaxis, yes.

Oh my god are you allergic to dental anaesthetic? What are you going to do tomorrow?

I have drug tolerance (not swelling but awful hangover symptoms that makes me bedridden for days/week), but with me it seems that as long as it's not taken by mouth, i.e via the digestive system - I'm fine. I couldn't even take vitamins at my worst - same symptoms. Sprays, injections etc were fine.

Hi,
Im so sorry to hear you’re in pain and isolating. You have my sympathies. 💐
I tested positive on 20th November on LFT and confirmed with PCR. My symptoms started around 22nd and a few days later my frigging wisdom tooth decided it was the right time to get infected. I phoned 111 and they said to call around the local dentists to see if any of them would triage over the phone. Well, after ringing about half a dozen dentists surgeries they all said that triage over the phone was stopped after lockdown ended and there wasn’t anything they could do until I was allowed out of isolation.
I was in so much pain and felt like pulling the tooth out myself. I phoned 111 again and I was literally crying by that point and they said to carry on trying different dentists and if none helped by 6pm they could refer me to an on call one. I continued to ring around and eventually found one that called me back. She was so lovely and prescribed me antibiotics over the phone for my partner (negative) to collect. However, after the ibuprofen I had taken I started to get stomach cramping and needed to see a dr that said I had drug induced gastritis.
I also developed huge mouth ulcers on the side of the bad tooth.

I also read this morning that isolation can end after 7 days with a negative LFT so hopefully that will be in your favour.
I hope you get some relief and help soon.
Bless you x

@Dentistwithcovid

I've spoken to 111, they've agreed it's an emergency and I'm being seen first thing tomorrow at the emergency dental hospital.

Good news op. Hope you're sorted soon.