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LafayetteLady -> Finally (2/18/2013 6:06:29 PM)

So when I came back from my 7 week vacation in Europe, I had a sinus infection and an inner ear infection. When I get sinus infections or ear infections, it makes my teeth hurt. A lot. So no problem, here's some Levaquin, take once a day for ten days. The pain in my ear was the worst, but by day 3 or 4, that started to ease up finally.

About two days after finishing the Levaquin, my ear/jaw started killing me again. I tried all the home remedies I could, the only thing giving me some relief was 1200 mg of Ibuprofen once or twice a day, and hot tea when I woke up (you could see the swelling in the mornings).

Finally, I figured it was a problem with a particular tooth, so I made an appointment with the dentist. I told him the cavity had also caused an ear infection, and all he said was, "get a root canal." Oh and gave me a five day prescription for 600 mg of Ibuprofen. I really don't like these dentists, but in my insurance, choices are almost nil.

The nearest endontist was over and hour away, so I decided I would just get the tooth pulled. This oral surgeon had pulled a different tooth for me last year, and they are really good with "I hate the dentist, don't make me go, I don't wanna go! Plllleaaase, wah wah, followed by anxiety attack.

So last Thursday, I went to see the oral surgeon. The staff is as pleasant as him, by the way. At first they thought I would have to wait 2-3 weeks for approval from my insurance (anxiety building again, lol), but when they saw what tooth and what was involved, there would be no wait, what a relief! I asked him if he could give me antibiotics and pain killers that day because of my ear infection and the pain. No problem, here ya go. Oh, I was sure I had an ear infection because when I went to clean my ears with a Q-tip, you could hear the fluid moving around!

So I have been taking the antibiotics, although the ear pain didn't subside until Sunday evening. The pain killers enabled me to sleep through the night (well sort of, considering the new puppy and my granddaughter also sleeping here).

I go to have the tooth pulled today, he is really very good at running an IV line, anxiety only reached about a 4 (which is miraculous for me with an IV), then off to La La land I go. Wake up, tooth is gone, mouth packed with gauze, son brings me home.

Well, for the last couple of months, my teeth have been so sensitive that even trying to swish mouthwash was tear inducing painful.

So this post is really just to happily say that my ear only hurts a little bit (still clearing up the infection), my jaw doesn't hurt at all, neither does my cheek bone near my sinus (oh yea that was painful as well). Chewing on the other side for a while will be a bit difficult, but who cares!? My ear, sinus and teeth are no longer screaming in pain! Plus I have some nifty vicoprofen for when I wake up tomorrow and feel like someone was digging in my mouth with pliers. Wait! Someone was. And I am so grateful he did, lol.




Lynnxz -> RE: Finally (2/18/2013 6:55:53 PM)

Someone's painkillers haven't worn off yet. :3




Kaliko -> RE: Finally (2/18/2013 7:05:27 PM)

I totally understand. I had severe tooth pain whenever I got sick. It extended throughout my cheek. Finally, I had the tooth pulled. I also had severe anxiety about being put under. I remember saying "I don't want to do this" and the woman said "I know, dear" and then she stuck me with the IV. LOL. But I'm so glad I did it and no pain since. I completely understand your excitement that it's now done. Good for you. :)




peppermint -> RE: Finally (2/18/2013 7:06:08 PM)

Glad you are finally on the mend. 




tj444 -> RE: Finally (2/18/2013 7:35:56 PM)

To me, getting teeth pulled is no big deal.. I dont like when that happens but I have had a few done and never been put under, just the regular mouth numbing stuff, I even drove myself home afterwards.. no problemo.. I prefer to not be put under.. I dont know if I will wake up again! [&:]

ok, ok.. I did get a little woosie (& grossed out) when one dentist tried to show me one of the darn freshly-pulled molars.. "oh look at how long that root is!", she says with glee as she sticks this bloody tooth with little flesh bits hanging off it in my face.. I dont want to see it! I dont want to see it!.. ok, I can laugh about it now.. at the time I felt like passing out.. [:D]

Imo, its much better to just bite the bullet and get it over with.. dentists love me! I am their best patient.. I just do what they tell me & let em dig around without complaining or fighting them.. and I just wait for it to be done.. hearing your tooth crack as they are yanking on it can be a little disconcerting tho, you dont want part of the root to break off and for them to have to dig any longer than they have to..

I hope you dont feel too bad tomorrow.. but at least you are not in that severe pain any longer..




Moonlightmaddnes -> RE: Finally (2/18/2013 8:24:13 PM)

I had a tooth pulled. I did not want to spend the money on a root canal and I did not thing I would notice it gone. I dont. It is way in the back.

I had a sinus infection but I do not think I had an ear infection even though I could not hear well and my hears were killing me. I had to soak my eyes open in the morning. I thought it was because I was pregnant that I got so sick and stayed that way for almost 2 months but several others said there was a nasty virus that hung around that long going around. I too am finally feeling better so I know how it feels to finally start to feel normal again.




littlewonder -> RE: Finally (2/18/2013 8:36:46 PM)

This is one of the things I keep warning my daughter about. She has near perfect teeth but the other day she was calling asking me about her dental insurance so she could go and have a tooth looked at that was hurting her. So a few days later I call her and ask her about an appt and she says she decided to wait because it's not really hurting anymore. So of course, mom that I am, I start lecturing her about having it looked at despite she's not in pain right now. The longer you let it go, the worse it will get until it's so bad you could possibly get an infection in the jaw and sinus issues. It's something I always worry about with her because she tends to blow off medical stuff until it's too late.

I'm glad you're feeling better though! Get some rest and just take it easy.




LafayetteLady -> RE: Finally (2/18/2013 10:28:48 PM)

Lynn, I don't intend for the pain killers to wear off until I run out! I'm finally getting a good night's sleep.




LafayetteLady -> RE: Finally (2/18/2013 10:32:50 PM)

tj, when I was a kid, a dentist really screwed up and numbed the wrong area. I was screaming in pain the whole time.

Since I'm prone to anxiety attacks anyway, I always let the dentist know that it is for both our benefit that they put me under, lol. Usually, they need to prescribe 2mg of Xanax before the procedure even! But this guy is so good and the staff so nice, I can keep the anxiety under control until they knock me out.

The sound of a tooth cracking, or the smell when they drill makes it very difficult to manage any anxiety.

ETA: I just looked in the mirror, it is already swollen and bruised, but without that tooth sensitivity, I can deal with it. Plus I have my lovely pain killers!




LafayetteLady -> RE: Finally (2/18/2013 10:34:05 PM)

Glad you are starting to feel better Moonlight.




LafayetteLady -> RE: Finally (2/18/2013 10:35:26 PM)

Kaliko, Yea, I've been getting a lot of sinus and ear infections. Maybe this will stop it.





LafayetteLady -> RE: Finally (2/18/2013 10:37:31 PM)

Thank you, peppermint.




LafayetteLady -> RE: Finally (2/18/2013 10:39:24 PM)

Actually, I was reading that if the tooth gets infected bad enough and you don't do anything, the infection can spread to your brain!




tj444 -> RE: Finally (2/19/2013 6:05:53 AM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: LafayetteLady

tj, when I was a kid, a dentist really screwed up and numbed the wrong area. I was screaming in pain the whole time.

Since I'm prone to anxiety attacks anyway, I always let the dentist know that it is for both our benefit that they put me under, lol. Usually, they need to prescribe 2mg of Xanax before the procedure even! But this guy is so good and the staff so nice, I can keep the anxiety under control until they knock me out.

The sound of a tooth cracking, or the smell when they drill makes it very difficult to manage any anxiety.

ETA: I just looked in the mirror, it is already swollen and bruised, but without that tooth sensitivity, I can deal with it. Plus I have my lovely pain killers!

Yes, if you have been traumatized, especially as a kid, I can understand wanting to avoid being awake.. I was put under for one (non-dental) operation and it was more traumatic for me to wake up after wondering what they did while I was knocked out.. it was sorta sureal to wake up feeling no passing of time and in that half awake state.. I just seem to have a need to know whats going on, I hate dentists that try to catch me unaware, like they are doing me a favor.. that might help some people but not me.. I want to know what he/she is going to do so I can mentally brace myself for it..

You do whatever works best.. Hope you heal fast & dont need to use too many of those painkillers..





Moonlightmaddnes -> RE: Finally (2/19/2013 8:40:16 AM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: LafayetteLady

Actually, I was reading that if the tooth gets infected bad enough and you don't do anything, the infection can spread to your brain!



I have heard that too. I have also heard you can have an infection spread to your blood and make you septic.




LafayetteLady -> RE: Finally (2/19/2013 7:59:30 PM)

I do my best not to take the pain killers during the day. Like today, I had to make several phone calls and with the new puppy needing to be walked like every couple of hours, I can't be totally out of it.




littlewonder -> RE: Finally (2/19/2013 8:47:38 PM)

Yup. I remember when I was about 22 I had a really bad infection from a bad tooth and I left it go for so long until my entire face was basically swollen. I finally gave in and went to the dentist who had to give me some oral antibiotic shots in my jaw. Talk about painful!!! It's a miracle I didn't rip off the arm of the seat. After that I had to take so many antibiotics for a very long time until he could actually finally work on the tooth.

It's one thing I would never let happen again and probably why I get on my daughter's case and even Master's. I've been there done that lol.

And I don't blame you LafayetteLady. Take those painkillers for as long as you need lol.




ShaharThorne -> RE: Finally (2/20/2013 3:11:42 AM)

I got a cavity in my upper left canine than I need to take care of. I am also saving up money to get all my teeth pulled and fitted for dentures. Mom just does not know it yet. I want to be able to eat my gizzards without hurting my gums.




DesFIP -> RE: Finally (2/20/2013 7:21:55 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: LafayetteLady

Actually, I was reading that if the tooth gets infected bad enough and you don't do anything, the infection can spread to your brain!


It's more likely to spread to the heart.

A friend's husband was cleared by the VA for his second hip replacement. At the last minute he got a tooth infection. They're back to square one with the tests for the damned hip. And he's been told to always take antibiotics for any dental work in the future because of the replacements.

Glad you're pain free finally.




MercTech -> RE: Finally (3/15/2013 3:08:48 PM)

Levaquin isn't all that effective for sinus infections. And sinus infections can take up to a month of antibiotics to resolve.

I'd suggest seeing an Otolarangologist (Ear Nose Throat specialist) before getting tooth work done. Sinus pressure pushes on the nerves attaching to the teeth and can give toothache symptoms. Tell me about it, I have chemical burns in the left maxillary sinus that makes me so bloody susceptible to sinus infections it is ridiculous.




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