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Original poster

Unbearable toothache

76 replies

blibblibs · 07/01/2017 21:01

I have an abcess and it's driving me crazy. I've never felt pain like it Sad
I went to the dentist on Friday who took an xray and prescribed antibiotics but I can't seem to control the pain. I've taken all the paracetamol & ibuprofen I'm allowed as I've been awake since 4am with the pain.
Any ideas what else I can take while I wait for the antibiotics to work? It's making me properly miserable Sad

OP posts:
Greenteandchives · 07/01/2017 21:07

Poor you. Have had this and it was worse than childbirth. I think it was the last time I cried. Try a hot water bottle on your cheek. I bought the strongest painkillers I was allowed in Boots. Paramol or something. Flowers

UnbornMortificado · 07/01/2017 21:09

Orajel (about a fiver behind the counter) really helps. Pain wise is really bad you can alternate nurofen plus (12mg codeine 500 mg ibrufen) and co-codamol (8mg codeine and 500mg paracetamol)

You won't be able to purchase both together but 20mg is below the 30mg normal codeine dose. Only if codeine is safe for you too take.

If not feminax max is naproxen a stronger anti inflammatory but cannot be taken with ibrufen.

UnbornMortificado · 07/01/2017 21:12

*pain wise if really bad.

Honestly if it's horrendous I'd go to out of hours/urgent care and ask for something stronger. Abscess pain is indescribable till the antibiotics kick in. Last time I had one my GP prescribed nefopam as I was in my knees with it.

beanfilledfish · 07/01/2017 21:13

i had this the other week and called 111. they got me a sunday emergency appointment and the dentist there killed the nerve. It was instant (when the injection wore off) relief and I visited my dentist two days later for them to complete the root canal.

I really don't understand why dentists can't just kill the nerve then and there (as the emergency dentist did) and why the insist you have anti-biocs which will work but do take time to get working. :(

Original poster
blibblibs · 07/01/2017 21:15

Ok, I've taken 8 paracetamol, 3 400mg ibuprofen and 2 anadin extra since 4am this morning.
I know I'm not meant to take anything else but I can't do this pain until the early hours of the morning before I'm allowed something else. Will I be ok with another couple paracetamol?
Oh and to make matters worse I'm not in the UK so can't just nip to Tesco to pick anything different up Sad

OP posts:
beanfilledfish · 07/01/2017 21:17

you need some codeine don't take any more paracetamol

Original poster
blibblibs · 07/01/2017 21:22

I have 15mg codine phosphate or 50mg of tramadol.
Which would be better? I've not managed to eat for a while so I'm worried about being sick too Confused

OP posts:
UnbornMortificado · 07/01/2017 21:23

Which county are you in? Some foreign country pharmacists can prescribe codeine Im sure I've read.

UnbornMortificado · 07/01/2017 21:24

X-post tramadol is stronger I but I find codeine best for toothache.

Not sure if you can take both together.

UnbornMortificado · 07/01/2017 21:29

Dr google says don't take both together.

If your feeling sick codeine can relieve it. Max dose is 60mg and it's chance to act as a sedative. You don't need to drive or use heavy machinery?

Original poster
blibblibs · 07/01/2017 21:34

Apart from pacing around the bedroom I'm not going anywhere Grin
I've taken 30mg of codine so I'm hoping it works pretty darn quickly.
And thank you

OP posts:
UnbornMortificado · 07/01/2017 21:36

Hope it eases. I like to think I'm quite tough but toothache has me running to the GP (dentist won't prescribe painkillers)

beanfilledfish · 07/01/2017 21:40

codeine is good. it's so awful had it just before christmas but I get tons of abscesses!

fiveminutespeaceplease · 07/01/2017 22:01

I've had this loads off times and it's the worst pain! Never use a hot water bottle or any heat to rest your head on always use a cold compress such as frozen veg. I found using bonjela worked and numbed area for while. Also keep brushing your teeth and use mouth-rinse.
Are you a smoker? When I smoked I used to put bonjela on and have a few puffs don't know why but it really helped the pain and would stop the pain eventually. You have my sympathies op!

Original poster
blibblibs · 07/01/2017 22:06

I'm away to hunt for bonjela and have a fag Grin
Had another two codine so can take no more of that and I forgot it makes me itch like a bitch so maybe that will take my mind off the pain!

OP posts:
sammyjayneex · 08/01/2017 00:02

OP I'm going through exact same thing at the moment. It's just awful isn't it!! I've been sat here for the past week sipping cold salt water and having to spit it out ( sounds gross but only thing that helps for a few seconds at a time) and I'm breastfeeding so all I can take is ibuprofen and paracetamol. I'm also on antibiotics but don't think they doing much. I know how you feel. This is my second abscess in a year. Is there anyway you can get the dentist to drill the tooth to put antibiotic inside the tooth as that's instant relief and quicker then taking tablets. I have to have this tooth out on the 23rd but I can't stand being in pain like this until then! Tooth pain is the worst fucking pain ever!!! I think the pain is the worst whilst the nerve in the tooth is inflamed and dying.. once it's dead and an abscess has been crested it's supposed to relieve the pain and then the antibiotics work to clear abscess.
Hope it eases for you soon 🙁

YerAWizardHarry · 08/01/2017 00:19

To the PP the reason they don't "kill the nerve" or extract at first appointment is that anaesthetic is extremely ineffective when infection is present and it would be quite unethical to carry out root canal or extraction when the patient is not completely numb

memyselfandaye · 08/01/2017 00:28

I had a bastard of an abcess that took 3 courses of antibiotics and a shit load of tramadol to die.

I also got through several tubes of orajel extra strength, it's pricey at £6 for a tiny tube but it took the edge off for 10 minutes at a time, so kinda worth it.

I feel your pain, you do know that the fags won't help though don't you? I'm not lecturing you, I'm trying and failing to stop at the moment, but they will make it worse.

Original poster
blibblibs · 08/01/2017 00:38

Yep, noted regarding fags. Tried one with a mouthful of bonjela and nothing but a horrible taste Grin
I've taken far too many painkillers and it's just not shifting at all.
And the abcess is under a tooth that's already had root treatment and a crown, albeit 20 something years ago. The dentist did say if he tried to do anything when I saw him in Friday he'd be peeling me off the roof but tonight is unbearable

OP posts:
UnbornMortificado · 08/01/2017 00:46

Antihistamine if you've got any will clear the itching.

I've had to have a tooth removed before the abscess had fully cleared (the first lot of antibiotics didn't work) honestly it wasn't as bad as I thought.

I didn't stop the fags Blush

EvaSthlm · 08/01/2017 06:21

Surely there's are emergency dentists you can go to on a Sunday? You could go online and look it up, just in case.

daquee101 · 08/01/2017 06:26

I'd just get it drained if I were you. It is the worst pain in the world

daquee101 · 08/01/2017 06:26

I'd just get it drained if I were you. It is the worst pain in the world

Original poster
blibblibs · 08/01/2017 19:01

So almost 24hrs on and still agony Sad managed to stay on top on the pain most of the day but used up all my painkiller allowance now. Should the antibiotics have started to relieve the pain a bit by now? It's been 3 days. Don't think I could bear anyone touching it just now so not sure what the dentist could do if I go back tomorrow Sad

OP posts:
pinkmagic1 · 08/01/2017 19:10

Clove oil is good for taking the edge off the pain. I don't think it is really recommended these days and does tastes awful but really does help.
Hope you get it sorted soon as it is really the worst pain. I would rather give birth 10 times over.

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