Infected tooth (my root canal needs a root canal)

[Innervision]

I have been suffering (emphasis on suffering--ugh!) with an infected tooth the past 3 days. Saw the dentist and got a script for an antibiotic and a referral to a specialist for next week. I have been alternating Motrin 800 mg with Norco (7.5/325) leftover from my DS and augmenting that with black tea and Orajel. My question is am I processing the medication differently post DS? Ex: the Norco relieves pain for about an hour. Is there any danger in taking all that crap for a few days until this gets under control? Any information or suggestions are appreciated. Lynn

 

[southernlady]

Sorry you are in pain. No help tho.

 

[Innervision]

Sorry you are in pain. No help tho.

Thank you.

 

[hilary1617]

I'm sorry for your suffering. I would suggest for anyone taking pain relievers, especially codeine, but also Norco, to be aware they can cause severe constipation and to make sure to stay hydrated as well as to take a stool softener or saline laxative if there starts to be any sort of back up.

 

[DianaCox]

I prefer taking my narcotics half as much, twice as often. It just works better for me.

AND COLACE!!! Maybe even skipping your calcium when on narcotics - after my recent abdominoplasty, I took my calcium (and I only take 633 mg x 2 per day), and two Colace per day, and still ended up nearly asking to be taken to the hospital after being unable to poop what turned out to be something the size and shape of a Louisville Slugger - and nearly as hard, even though I'd already stepped down from oxycodone to codeine. I was using my Toto washlet as a powerwasher in a vain attempt to unclog the exit, it was that bad. I not only didn't want to bear down, because I was afraid I'd get a fissure, I COULDN'T bear down because of the surgery. It was utterly miserable it hurt so badly.

On the other hand, it would take your mind off your tooth, so there's that ...

 

[Duckman]

I had this happen a few years ago. I was fortunate to get a referral to an oral surgeon the next morning. I couldn't imagine waiting that long. I hope you're able to get some comfort and feel better.

 

[Innervision]

UPDATE: I called my dentist's office for a work note and told them how terrible the pain was. They got me into an oral surgeon later that day. I will spare you all the gross details except to say that the shots to numb me were such a relief. Lol! Still sore but so much better. Off pain med, systems are functioning normally. On my way to recovery. Thanks for your feedback and support! Lynn

 

[Spiky Bugger]

Good news, that. (I need a filling, but that requires removing the existing crown and replacing it...AND I unfortunately need a $15 extraction. Well, I can pay another $1000 to do the filling under the crown thing on the last upper molar on the right side...but...the lower molar below that one is missing and I can't get an implant and teeth are supposed to work with their upper or lower partner...so there is no point, other than psychological, to keep that tooth.)

FYI, I've been taking Norco for years. It takes 10 mg to do what 2.5 used to do. So, I have increased tolerance, but I am not addicted*.

I do better the way Diana says. Instead of a 10mg tab every 4-6 hours, I should take 5mg every 2-3 hours...BECAUSE...anymore, it takes 1-1.5 hours for relief to kick in and then at the 3.25-3.5 hour mark, it starts to wear off. That means, from the time one pill wears off to the time the next pill starts to work, it is 1.5-4.0 hours with no pain relief. Not good.




*I was addicted to Valium back in the 1970s and again in the 1980s, so I know how it works. And I'm looking for alternatives to opioids, as they really screw up my digestive system. (Not constipation, but they cause me SIBO/IBS-D, which is just horrid.) Meanwhile, though, I have 1-Norco days and there are 5-Norco days...unlike when I am addicted to something...like Valium or cigarettes...you can set a clock by when I start jonesin' for my next fix.