Bryanna,

I'm honestly not sure if things are improving. Today is 6 days post i&d so maybe it's still early. I have a follow up Friday morning and I have a few issues I want to mention to the surgeon, but I am concerned that they will again be attributed to the "trauma of surgery" and told to give it more time.

I've stopped taking any pain medications because I have been feeling very faint and weak. I feel generally unwell so I cut the oxycodone because I was afraid it may be contributing in some way. I am on day 7 of Amoxicillin 2x a day, but do still have a low grade fever some nights.

The area where the abscess was is not painless. Maybe it's too soon to expect that. There is a small, hard pea sized lump that is very, very tender to the touch and still throbs in pain sometimes with little shocks of pain down my throat and into my ear. The pain behind my ear is fairly constant and distracting. I don't know if it's from a tight ligament, or referred pain, or if I should mention it to the surgeon at all. Any thoughts?

The last thing that I'm experiencing is pain where the stitches pierced my gums and extreme temperature sensitivity in the nearby teeth. The oddest part is that I have the same issues on top of my mouth at one of the other extraction sites that I have not had much time to focus on since the dry socket and infection. (The one directly above the problem extraction) It feels like there are stitches left in my upper gum sticking out and the holes there and below from the i&d are incredibly sensitive and painful. Maybe they just need more time to heal too. I've never had stitches outside of this and had no idea they would be so painful!

I would be happy to hear that all of this just needs more time. I plan to see a general practitioner if the faintness doesn't improve because I've struggled to work and take care of my kids this week! Hoping an end is in sight. Thanks again Bryanna, I wish I could send you some chocolate or something.

Heather