Dental abscess… is there any worse pain?

[BellaTara]

Had a root canal treatment on Monday that resulted in an abscess. I had no idea tooth pain could be so bad… I haven’t slept in two nights, the pain has been unrelenting. Just there hour after hour, no break from it, truly hideous. And to cap it off the infection has spread into my face, it’s gone up like a balloon. I’m on hardcore double antibiotics, which are making me feel dreadful.
Childbirth, migraines … I have to say, this pain is in a league of its own!

Nope, it's hands down the worst pain. I went deranged with it - I genuinely thought about trying to lever the tooth out with a butter knife 😳

Definitely the worse pain ever. Can honestly say the pain from breaking and dislocating my shoulder was more bareable…only just !! Coi codamol 30/500 ,antibiotic and tooth distraction was the answer for me !!

Oh my OP, I so feel for you . It is the worst pain ever! Even childbirth didn't come close for me.

I had an impacted wisdom tooth and then an abscess and yes, like you, I didn't sleep AT ALL for days.

I so hope you get some relief soon x

Oh my god, no. You have my sympathy!
Had my first dental abscess in November. 4 rounds of different antibiotics later and a 12 week wait for root canal and it was finally sorted by mid Feb.
I had no idea that anything could be that painful and fucking relentless. Like a non-stop drill in your head, neck, ears, eyes and painkillers don't even touch it.
No exaggeration to say I was almost suicidal at one point.
Thank the lord for the private dentist who fixed it.
Am now lighter of pocket and paranoid about it coming back but so grateful it's over.
Sending you a massive hug OP! It will end! (and you'll be able to eat and sleep and think again!)

Tooth abscess pain reduced my DH to tears only time in 27 years he's cried apart from when his parents died...

It's the worst. Had my first abscess this year and my god the pain was unrelenting and made my whole face hot and painful. It even went down my throat swelled my tonsil and made it impossible to eat without pain.

Contractions were a bloody piece of cake compared to it.

Thanks all… I also cried for the first time in years yesterday, feels like I’m in some unending nightmare. @Threewheeler1 A drill in the head is about the size of it!

Totally agree, I feel for you. I had an abscess a couple of years ago. Had to wait for the swelling to go down as they couldn't remove the tooth as the anaesthetic wouldn't work. Worst pain I've ever had. Much worse than childbirth. Survived on a combination of co-dodamol and some form of strong ibuprofen prescribed by the dentist on a strict rota. I looked like I'd been punched in the face. I do laugh on threads like these though as you normally get somebody coming along saying "why don't you try clove oil" as if that could possibly help the intense pain.

Oh @BellaTara it truly is the worst unfortunately I've had it a few times and agree with everyone. I gave up even trying to sleep and eventually had micro sleeps sitting up in bed. I'm not going to lie and say sitting up helped, but lying down was definitely even worse. Are you due back at dentist tomorrow? If not then demand you're seen before the weekend x

I know how you feel. Had an absess in the past and it was unbearable. I recently ended up with dry socket after an extraction and that was as bad. Painkillers did not touch it. Like you said, many sleepless nights. Hope you are feeling better asap. Lots of love x

I thought a dental abcess was the worst pain possible until I had a kidney stone - just as bad, but with vomiting too. Both make childbirth seem like a walk in the park. As for painkillers, they might as well be jelly babies. I also tried the oil of cloves remedy, buckets of it, also useless and to this day I can't face bread pudding.

Oil of cloves got me through this. Has to be diluted and dipped in cotton wool. Apply to gums. The emergency dentist at hospital prescribed this. Worked until tooth was extracted. Had antibiotics and strong painkillers but this worked

Ouch! I've assisted many root canal treatments and had patients cry and beg us to take the nerve out there and then. We of course always did if there was reason to do so.

I've seen hideous abscesses, especially ones in the face and I feel for you OP.

What AB's are you on? Also have you been back to your dentist?

No.

I would give birth, dislocate my knee and deal with a migraine every day over dental abscess pain.

The only thing that comes close is sciatica which is actual blinding can't speak can't hear can't see strait or string together a sentence agony.

I really feel for you. I feel like people should be able to get morphine or something very strong - it’s inhumane to be in so much pain.

Absolutely and categorically NO. Hate the dentist and the drill but after I had one, I’m in that chair regular as clockwork for check ups. I get chills just thinking about it.

No, there definitely isn’t. The first time I had a tooth abscess, it drove me to the brink. I had never ever experienced anything like it in my life. Tramadol didn’t even touch the sides.

@WheresMySnackPack I’m on Metronidazole and Erythromycin. Have a penicillin allergy. And yes, been back to the dentist twice as the face swelling has freaked me out. It’s spread down from my upper to lower jaw… hoping it won’t go down my neck or anywhere around my eyes.

@BillywigSting ok, sciatica trumps tooth abscess. Colleague had sciatica. You could they would think twice before even blinking. Hope that makes you feel a little better op😳

I've had several, my teeth are shit. There is absolutely not a pain like it.

Can you get to a health store like Holland and Barret or similar in the morning? I found Chamomile granules offered a bit of relief combined with holding an ice pack on the outside of my cheek and pain relief with codeine in it.

There really is nothing worse.

I had a tooth abscess. In work I made a mistake that resulted in 350,000 bank accounts being updated incorrectly. We had to temporarily stop access and correct my mistake. I hadn’t slept for 2 days with the pain.

I also had sciatica - for 4 weeks
Luckily in a different job

I went genuinely deranged with pain last time my terrible teeth betrayed me. Speaking in tongues, howling like an animal, pacing back and forth growling.

Just unbearable. I ended up taking a medically inadvisable combination of painkillers and sleeping tablets to get me through the night til the emergency dental hospital would see me.

It's indescribable. Tbh it was unbearable, and I am the mother of a ventouse baby and a high forceps baby, both with inadequate pain relief.

Yep had it January this year , keep on top of pain killers ... cumulative effect

Take 30/500 cocodamol if you can get a prescription

Rinse with very salty water - great relief

If antibiotics dont work in 3 days ask for alternatives ... albeit metronidazole means no alcohol 😱