I started having problems with a previous root canal tooth (#30) back at the end of April. After being on clindamycin 150 for a week, I was still in pain so I went to an endodontist. He cleaned it out and filled it, but I ended up returning a week and a half later because it continued to get worse - increased pain and a general ill feeling. At that point, he cleaned out the canal again, packed it with cotton, and increased the clindamycin to 300.

About 36 hours later, I started feeling much better and the pain decreased significantly. When I went back in a few days later, he cleaned it out again, filled it with a temp filling, and I was OK for about a day, then the pain came back even worse. I ended up getting it extracted last Monday (20th) and at the time, the oral surgeon put in a bone graft because I want to get an implant. The area was stitched closed and I was given peridex and vicodin and another run of clindamycin (I had been taking percocet and it was not even touching the pain - and is still not)

While the infection swelling I had has gone down to almost nothing, I still have pain that will not go away even with the percocet and I also feel ill. I am mad that I did not call and go in on Friday but now I have been stuck with the long weekend and have not improved. I am planing on calling to go in tomorrow, but am wondering if this is normal. I have had this constant pain for almost a month now and I am going crazy. Should I push for a different antibiotic? I am worried that they will just brush me off. Please give me some advice.

Hi sandpiper,

If you think about all that this tooth and this area of your mouth has been through in a short amount of time it would make sense that you would be uncomfortable or even have nagging pain from all the trauma. It is hard to determine if your symptoms are from infection because you said the area is looking good. It is also not surprising that you feel ill given the 3 rxs for clindamycin. It would be wise to supplement with a probiotic to help restore some good bacteria in your intestinal tract.

Did you see the OS today? If so, what was his diagnosis?

Bryanna