Well...that's just frustrating to read...

I'm really unsure of how to proceed at this point. If it's not better by Wednesday then it will be packed then. But that could mean a horrific couple of days for me.

All I really know at this point is that I feel far worse now than I did this morning which I didn't really think was possible.

Thank you for your advice regarding the peroxide and irrigation. I think I will stick with rinsing with salt water. Don't know what to do regarding the Norco...maybe I should go back to just Tylenol and Advil? Doubt that would help though because at this point the pain is far beyond the point it was before and the Tylenol/Advil combo was not helping very much then so it probably is beyond that point.

Any idea on what would have caused it to get so much worse today after my visit? Just the general poking around in my mouth or do you think it was the aggressive irrigation he did with the hydrogen peroxide? They also sprayed air into the dry socket to clean it out...that was actually when the pain started to sky rocket. As terrible as it sounds was the food stuck in there providing a buffer and maybe the removal of it exposed the dry socket to the elements and that's why it's worse? Not that it really matters I guess...things are what they are.

I'll call tomorrow and see how soon I can get back in there to get this packed. Obviously if the pain has increased this much in the past 6 hours it's not going to be "better" by Wednesday.

Thanks again for your comments and advice. I really appreciate it.

catra,

I think the sooner you get it packed, the better you will feel. For that dentist to not treat this problem and to instruct you to cause further pain to yourself is reprehensible. I would not go back to him if it were me.

<<Any idea on what would have caused it to get so much worse today after my visit? Just the general poking around in my mouth or do you think it was the aggressive irrigation he did with the hydrogen peroxide? They also sprayed air into the dry socket to clean it out...that was actually when the pain started to sky rocket.>>

YOUR STORY JUST GETS WORSE AND WORSE. THE AGGRESSIVE PEROXIDE RINSING, THE SPRAYING OF AIR IN THE SOCKET.... NEITHER WAS HELPFUL AND JUST EXACERBATED YOUR PAIN.

If you are going to continue with the Narco, make sure to drink lots of water throughout the day to help keep your mouth as moist as possible.

Catra, would it be possible to see someone else tomorrow?

Bryanna

I am going back to get the socket packed tomorrow night (5:30pm). I'm going back to work tonight and tomorrow morning so this will work around my work schedule. I'm likely crazy to be going to work when I am in this much pain but I really can't afford to take so many days off and have a position that can't just be covered by someone else. If nothing else...hopefully it will distract me a little from the pain...sitting at home really lets me do nothing but sit here in pain...thinking about the pain...not even able to sleep because it's so bad.

I really, really appreciate all your advice and I will stand up for myself and my needs going forward. I have a terribly tendency to let docs/dentists sort of run over me with whatever they think is best because I am not educated enough. Once I have the information though, I use it. I will definitely be going to someone else for further work and I do not feel this dentist handled things properly. Dry sockets happen...that's not his fault necessarily...but it's the care afterwards that has been lacking.

Will keep you updated on how things go from this point.

I will also keep drinking water. I haven't noticed any difference since taking the Norco in terms of dry mouth...but better safe than sorry I suppose.

Thanks again.

Catra,

I understand that you have to still go on living and working. But this condition is time sensitive in that the best relief is as soon as it occurs and you've already gone past that point. This condition can heal on it's own, it would just take time and may not heal as well as it would have if it hadn't occured in the first place. You also need to know that the dentist may not pack it tomorrow because it has now been several days and he may not want to disturb the site.

I know all too well about letting others take advantage... I use to be that way... do you believe that???? It's true :/ But after working with patients for so many years and seeing how often they lose their nerve to speak up, I make it a point to gently assert myself so I my intentions are clear no matter what.

Okay good with the water..... keep drinking!!

Bryanna

Back from the dentist tonight. He packed the socket with medicated gauze. He gave me a lot of stuff to numb me (swabbed something on my gums and then 2 different shots)...so right now I can't really tell the effects of the packing. But at least for the moment I am not in any pain. Will update tomorrow after this stuff has worn off.

Things seem to be going well today. I am a million times better. Pain is basically gone...just a little soreness that I think is probably from the shots. Doesn't hurt...just sort of an achey feeling when I open my mouth.

The dentist said the gauze could come out on it's own but if it doesn't then they will take it out when I follow up with them on Tuesday.

I am so glad that this nightmare of pain is over. Going to keep taking the antibiotics and all that until they are all gone.

So...I had my open socket packed Wednesday night. Thursday I felt great with just a little soreness. Friday the pain came back but was not as bad as it was between Monday and Wednesday (still was going up into my ear). I knew I was going back on Tuesday (yesterday) so I just waited it out and took Tylenol and Advil which didn't take away the pain but kept it to a manageable level. Thank goodness the right side of my mouth was fine because I was able to start eating more normal foods again and just chewing on that side.

So yesterday I went back. Dentist seemed very surprised that the gauze didn't come out on its own. Ripped it out (one quick pull...at least it was fast) and the pain immediately went up to pre-packing proportions. He rinsed with hydrogen peroxide and asked if the pain was better. No. Then rinsed with a Rx rinse and asked if it was better. No. Well...he said it LOOKS a lot better and is healing up well. Okay...I drive home in AGONY and take more Tylenol and Advil.

Today...it feels a lot better. Still hurts a little but lots better than it was yesterday after the dentist appointment and even better than it felt before I saw him yesterday. So I guess I am finally on the right track (fingers crossed). This really was quite the ordeal. I have lots more work I need done and I am feeling a bit jittery about it but am committed to getting it done this year.

Have an appointment with a different dentist next week to discuss the rest of what I need done and hopefully take it from there. I may wait a month or so before doing anything though...I think my mouth needs a bit of a rest and my body sure needs more food than it's gotten the past 2 weeks.

Hi catra,

If the area continues to improve then yes.... you are on the mend!!!!

If that original dentist had only packed it at the onset of your pain....you would not have endured such agony. Makes me so upset for people to suffer so needlessly.

I think it's a good idea to post pone dental treatment for at least 2 months as you are right you need time to heal. But do then move forward with the other work and be done with it!

Thanks for keeping us up to date. Please check back soon....
Bryanna