Breastfeeding mum with dental abcess

[TwinkleTwinkleX]

Hi,
I have come back from an emergency dentist appointment with a prescription of erythromycin for an abcess under a molar and got an appointment with my dentist on Thursday for possible root canal. I am in absolute agony and finding it hard to function let alone parent my two young DDs. Because I’m breastfeeding and exclusively I can only take over the counter pain relief and this is the only antibiotic I can take because I’m allergic to penicillin and it’s safe for breastfeeding. I’m really struggling.. I’ve had 2 in medicated labours and in some ways this pain s worse! My Face is swollen and pain radiates in my ear and jaw. Anyone had success with this antibiotic for an abcess before? Any other recommendations?
I am Not sure how I would cope with root canal but this is hard to bear.. x

I agree a tooth abscess is on a par with labour OP. Absolute agony. Hopefully the antibiotic will kick in by morning. Have a hug x

Sorry you're in pain. There are lots of antibiotics and pain relief safe for breastfeeding- check the Breastfeeding Network fact sheets, and see if you can get some prescription pain relief. Anaesthetic also ok for bf if you have a root canal. Hope you feel better soon.

Root canal is nothing to be feared btw. You will be well numbed up. The hardest thing is keeping your mouth open for so long!

Hi, OP. Just to let you know, we've moved your thread over to the General Health board as we thought it was a better fit here (not sure if you posted in Gifted and Talented by mistake...). Anyway, we hope you get sorted soon and hope people have some good advice for you here.

Thanks for your replies..It’s really making me feel crazy.. I am barely sleeping between the pain and caring for my feeding baby. I am concerned that the antibiotics won’t help with the pain and waiting until Thursday for the root canal feels like such a long time away..

there's plenty of pain relief you can take when you're breast feeding (think of the stuff we give women after c-sections... it's all safe). The one to avoid is codeine, but other than that you dentist should be able to sort you out with something stronger than OTC stuff.