[Paula K]

Hi Bryanna,
Thankyou so much for the advice you gave me a couple of weeks ago with regard to my infected root canal. You gave me the courage and the confidence to know that trying to do any thing other than remove that tooth was futile. I had the tooth removed 8 days ago.
As I live in the uk it would have taken months to get a referral to an oral surgeon via my GP,so I reluctantly allowed my dentist to pull it out because it was making me feel systemically ill.
Well to cut a very long story short, I am now sufferring from a dry socket and an infection in the bone.The bone above where the tooth was is swollen and painful ,the socket is also painful. The dentist packed the socket with a kind of gel and gave me an antibiotic called metronidazole.
Unfortunately after 3 days on this drug I began to have a severely sore throat and my throat felt like it was almost closing up. Initially I persevered with the drug because it helped my infection but the n I became hoarse and it became difficult to swallow. I stopped taking it and have an appointment with my GP this afternoon. I am not sure if this was a reaction to metronidazole or maybe an irritation from the medicine the dentist put in my tooth. I feel as though I can taste it sometimes going down the back of my throat.


Brianna , do you have any idea if the metronidazole or the gel in my tooth could have caused this sore irritated throat. Now I am off it my throat is much improved.
I was also wondering if you could give me advice about my remaining root canal tooth .It is a front incisor.I fell and knocked it out years ago. It has a crown and a root canal. It has been done for fifteen years.Of coursenow that I have been educated by all that I have read on here I feel it is just a matter of time before it goes the same way as the last two. I have decided to ask my GP to refer me to an OS to remove it . Would you agree with this ? I would then opt for a partial denture.I would really welcome your advice. My friends think I am mad but they are unaware of the dangers of a root canal.
Thankyou for reading this Bryanna, and thankyou fo r your patience and kindness in explaining the dangers of having root canals done.
Kind regards Paula K

[Bryanna]

Hi Paula,

The medication that was placed in the dry socket needs to be changed every day or two for about a week.... sometimes longer. It is not meant to stay in there for longer than a day or two without being changed. Often the medication falls out on it's own. Not retreating this often enough could be why the socket is not healing. So it's best to see your dentist for re treatment of the socket as I have mentioned.

The throat reaction that you had... I think it was from the antibiotic more so than the packing gel. ANYTIME you are taking any medications and you develop an odd feeling in your throat or the sensation that it is closing up.... immediately stop taking the medication and take an antihistamine like Benadryl. If it does not respond to the antihistamine or gets worse, go to the emergency room of the hospital.

If you do have an infection, you may need to be on another antibiotic. But stay clear of the entire family of antibiotics called Nitroimidazoles which is what metronidazole is in as you could have the same or similar reaction to any drugs in that family.

Regarding the root canal incisor.... yes, I am in agreement with removing that tooth ... and by an oral surgeon this time. Without a doubt the tooth is harboring infected nerve tissue.... all root canaled teeth do. You are not "mad" to remove this tooth.... your friends, although they mean well, are just not well informed about the health risks associated with root canaled teeth.

Please check back and give us an update!
Bryanna

Originally Posted by Paula K

Hi Bryanna,
Thankyou so much for the advice you gave me a couple of weeks ago with regard to my infected root canal. You gave me the courage and the confidence to know that trying to do any thing other than remove that tooth was futile. I had the tooth removed 8 days ago.
As I live in the uk it would have taken months to get a referral to an oral surgeon via my GP,so I reluctantly allowed my dentist to pull it out because it was making me feel systemically ill.
Well to cut a very long story short, I am now sufferring from a dry socket and an infection in the bone.The bone above where the tooth was is swollen and painful ,the socket is also painful. The dentist packed the socket with a kind of gel and gave me an antibiotic called metronidazole.
Unfortunately after 3 days on this drug I began to have a severely sore throat and my throat felt like it was almost closing up. Initially I persevered with the drug because it helped my infection but the n I became hoarse and it became difficult to swallow. I stopped taking it and have an appointment with my GP this afternoon. I am not sure if this was a reaction to metronidazole or maybe an irritation from the medicine the dentist put in my tooth. I feel as though I can taste it sometimes going down the back of my throat.


Brianna , do you have any idea if the metronidazole or the gel in my tooth could have caused this sore irritated throat. Now I am off it my throat is much improved.
I was also wondering if you could give me advice about my remaining root canal tooth .It is a front incisor.I fell and knocked it out years ago. It has a crown and a root canal. It has been done for fifteen years.Of coursenow that I have been educated by all that I have read on here I feel it is just a matter of time before it goes the same way as the last two. I have decided to ask my GP to refer me to an OS to remove it . Would you agree with this ? I would then opt for a partial denture.I would really welcome your advice. My friends think I am mad but they are unaware of the dangers of a root canal.
Thankyou for reading this Bryanna, and thankyou fo r your patience and kindness in explaining the dangers of having root canals done.
Kind regards Paula K

[Paula K]

Hi Brianna,
Thankyou so much for your reply to my message. I have just returned from my doctor and I explained about my throat problems . He seems to think they are just a sensitivity to side effects of metronidazole but I am with you on this. He urged me to complete the course but I am just too scared to.I agree any medicine that causes the throat to swell is a no no .
I did however ask him to book me a private appointment with an oral surgeon which he was happy to do ,so I will see him or her in the next couple of weeks . I thought he/she could give me a second opinion on my jaw bone infection and could ,
when I am better remove my root canalled front tooth.
I am so terrified of this happening to me again,that I hope correct removal of the front tooth will at least give me a chance to get rid of it with as little pain and infection as possible.
Thankyou so much for your advice Bryanna I really appreciate it.
Kind regards, Paula K

[Bryanna]

Paula,

I disagree with your doctor about continuing the metronidazole. However I am concerned about the extraction site of the tooth that was recently removed. If the bone is infected then you need an antibiotic. So of course a different one should be prescribed to you.

Can you call the dentist that did the extraction and tell him you had a negative reaction to the antibiotic and would like a different one prescribed? I think that may be wiser than to wait it out for a few weeks until you see the oral surgeon.

What do you think?
Bryanna

Originally Posted by Paula K

Hi Brianna,
Thankyou so much for your reply to my message. I have just returned from my doctor and I explained about my throat problems . He seems to think they are just a sensitivity to side effects of metronidazole but I am with you on this. He urged me to complete the course but I am just too scared to.I agree any medicine that causes the throat to swell is a no no .
I did however ask him to book me a private appointment with an oral surgeon which he was happy to do ,so I will see him or her in the next couple of weeks . I thought he/she could give me a second opinion on my jaw bone infection and could ,
when I am better remove my root canalled front tooth.
I am so terrified of this happening to me again,that I hope correct removal of the front tooth will at least give me a chance to get rid of it with as little pain and infection as possible.
Thankyou so much for your advice Bryanna I really appreciate it.
Kind regards, Paula K

[Paula K]

Hi Bryanna,
Thankyou for your kindness and interest I really appreciate it . I agree I do feel I have an infection and it needs to be treated. I returned to my dentist on Thursday to tell him about my throat reaction and he said I must see my doctor to diagnose what was wrong with my throat so I went to see the G P the next day and his advice was , as I said finish the medicine, but I am just too scared to. I have had an anaphylactic reaction to pennicillen many years ago and with this reaction to metronidazole I am scared to continue it.
My problem now is my pain in the jaw and socket continues and I feel systemically ill,headache,dizziness, sweating and hot particularly at night . I was going to wait and see another G P on Monday but I feel I shouldn't neglect this until then .My feeling is that the GP was hesitant to interfere with the dentists prescription because he felt it must be best for my particular bug, and had been prescribed for that reason.
My choices now are th GP or emergency dentist. I got the feeling (could be wrong ) that my dentist is limited in the types of antibiotic he is allowed to prescribe . Is that correct Bryanna? It's just the impression he gave me when he spoke to me when I spoke to him.
Thanks once again for your input Bryanna.It is at least a relief to understand about how and why root canals really fail. Last time I had this experience with an abscessed root canal I was told "some people have this , it's just a bone infection " as though it were no more serious than a cold. Yeah right ! Anecdotally of all my friends I know who had a root canal ,all of them ended with infection and loss of the root canalled tooth.
I will let you know how things go Bryanna.
Kind regards Paula.

[Bryanna]

Paula,

Your dentist can prescribe any and all drugs, just like a physician. It is not uncommon for people to have allergies to meds and need a different prescription. Based on your past event with the penicillin, then you must stay away from that family of drugs as well. Your dentist needs to prescribe something else for you and asap.

There are many antibiotics, other than penicillins and nitroimidazoles, that are routinely prescribed for jaw bone infections and your dentist is very aware of them.

I agree that your GP probably did not want to get involved with the situation since it was a "dental" problem. However to be honest, that is just BS on his part because he needs to take better care of you than that. In other words he has to act responsibly with all of his patients irrelevant of the origin of their problem and he certainly did not do that with you by telling you to continue with a medication that was causing a negative and potentially life threatening reaction. He could have consulted with the dentist and they could have made a mutual decision on what medication to prescribe to you. I would check him off of my list if it were me.... as well as that dentist when this is all over with.

You have physical symptoms of an infection which could cause you to become very ill. Have you ever taken the antibiotic Clindamycin? This is often prescribed for jaw bone infections to people with penicillin allergies.

It is very important to take Clindaymcin with food and drink plenty of water throughout the day. It is also equally important to take a probiotic supplement to help prevent a severe intestinal upset. The probiotic should not be taken at the same time as the antibiotic. Take it one hour prior or two hours after the antibiotic up to 2 times a day. One of the best ones to take for this purpose is called Culturelle. Most drug stores carry it. It is best to start the probiotic right away and stay on it for at least 3 months if not indefinitely. This supplement also helps with your overall health as well and there are no adverse reactions or allergies associated with it.

So sorry you are dealing with not feeling well and such stupid doctors. It really is up to you to take a hold of this situation and get help. Your dentist is responsible to prescribe another medication for you.... so please don't take no for an answer.

Keep me posted .....
Bryanna

Originally Posted by Paula K

Hi Bryanna,
Thankyou for your kindness and interest I really appreciate it . I agree I do feel I have an infection and it needs to be treated. I returned to my dentist on Thursday to tell him about my throat reaction and he said I must see my doctor to diagnose what was wrong with my throat so I went to see the G P the next day and his advice was , as I said finish the medicine, but I am just too scared to. I have had an anaphylactic reaction to pennicillen many years ago and with this reaction to metronidazole I am scared to continue it.
My problem now is my pain in the jaw and socket continues and I feel systemically ill,headache,dizziness, sweating and hot particularly at night . I was going to wait and see another G P on Monday but I feel I shouldn't neglect this until then .My feeling is that the GP was hesitant to interfere with the dentists prescription because he felt it must be best for my particular bug, and had been prescribed for that reason.
My choices now are th GP or emergency dentist. I got the feeling (could be wrong ) that my dentist is limited in the types of antibiotic he is allowed to prescribe . Is that correct Bryanna? It's just the impression he gave me when he spoke to me when I spoke to him.
Thanks once again for your input Bryanna.It is at least a relief to understand about how and why root canals really fail. Last time I had this experience with an abscessed root canal I was told "some people have this , it's just a bone infection " as though it were no more serious than a cold. Yeah right ! Anecdotally of all my friends I know who had a root canal ,all of them ended with infection and loss of the root canalled tooth.
I will let you know how things go Bryanna.
Kind regards Paula.

[Paula K]

Thanks Bryanna,
I totally agree with you about the GP. I did not realise my dentist could prescribe other antibiotics . Have not been able to see anyone today but will contact an emergency dentist tomorrow for antibiotics. I know I have to be strong and proactive here , as neither of these two are taking any responsibility.To be honest the person who has helped me most is you ,a lady who I have never met. It can be very difficult to get medical help at the weekend. but I will insist on seeing someone. tomorrow.
It is reassuring to know that there are other antibiotics for my problem . To be honest both my doctor and my dentist made me feel like I was stupid for not being able to tolerate the metronidazole. Thanks once more for your good advice ,and for simply caring enough to to give me the benefit of your knowledge.
Kind regards Paula.

[Paula K]

Hi Bryanna,
Is the culturelle a yogurt or tablets ?I have not seen it over here in the uk.I am taking a probiotic powder which I bought from a health food shop. It contains lactobacillus and bifidus. It has greatly relieved my stomach pain after metronidazole. Does this sound like the culturelle ?Thanks for taking the time to help.
Paula

[Bryanna]

Paula,

Okay yes stick with your probiotic powder ... it sounds like it's helping!!

What is also helpful is to avoid sugar as much as possible as the bad bacteria in the gut feed off of sugar. Eat as wholesomely as possible... taking in as much fresh veggies as you can. Avoid sugar drinks like soda, sports drinks, fruit juices (unless you make the juice yourself)... even diet drinks should be avoided.

You are very welcome.... keep me posted
Bryanna

Originally Posted by Paula K

Hi Bryanna,
Is the culturelle a yogurt or tablets ?I have not seen it over here in the uk.I am taking a probiotic powder which I bought from a health food shop. It contains lactobacillus and bifidus. It has greatly relieved my stomach pain after metronidazole. Does this sound like the culturelle ?Thanks for taking the time to help.
Paula

[Bryanna]

Paula,

SO many people have drug allergies ... it is so common. You are very wise to take your reaction seriously... not stupid at all!!

Yes, forge ahead until you get the help you deserve.

Bryanna

Originally Posted by Paula K

Thanks Bryanna,
I totally agree with you about the GP. I did not realise my dentist could prescribe other antibiotics . Have not been able to see anyone today but will contact an emergency dentist tomorrow for antibiotics. I know I have to be strong and proactive here , as neither of these two are taking any responsibility.To be honest the person who has helped me most is you ,a lady who I have never met. It can be very difficult to get medical help at the weekend. but I will insist on seeing someone. tomorrow.
It is reassuring to know that there are other antibiotics for my problem . To be honest both my doctor and my dentist made me feel like I was stupid for not being able to tolerate the metronidazole. Thanks once more for your good advice ,and for simply caring enough to to give me the benefit of your knowledge.
Kind regards Paula.