Toothache is so bad I AM CRYING. Any advice?

[NJ-DawnCuba]

I had my first apt. for a root canal this past Wed. and it went well , they did the first part,open the tooth and started working on the root, then they put some medicine and I am to return next Wed. to finish.
Well about 24 hours later the pain started and it got so bad, I took 2 Tylenol PM (did nothing) took hours later 2 extra strength Excedrin (nothing) in the morning called Dr. they gave me a prescription for Vicadin ( or something like that) They said may make me dizzy so to take it only while I am home, well took it when I got home and it did NOTHING. I threw my children from my room and started crying from the pain.
Finally the receptionist told me that toothache usually needs 800 mg, of pain medicine to ease pain, so pharmacist told me to take 4 Advil's,(200 each) that took over an hour but finally worked.
Oh God I have never felt pain like this before, labor and C-section recovery were a piece of cake.
I took 7 days of antibiotics before root canal so I know I do not have an infection in tooth.

[BC-Christina~FL]

oh no A. I am sorry. I know what you are going through and it's the most awful pain.

Motrin worked for me a little while to dim the pain, stronger stuff, same thing.

I would suggest calling that dentist's emergency line. You should not be in pain like that. Try a warm compress on your face. Does it say you can take 2 of the Vicodin?

[3monkeys]

Ouch!! I usually take 4 advils for any kind of ache and it works. The last root canal I had sounds like yours - atibiotics, stuff in the tooth to fight the infection, etc. Hope you are feeling better soon.

[KnittingMarie]

If the motrin is working, just keep taking it. I'm currently taking 800mg for my c-section. The dosing is 800mg every 8 hours. Just stay on top of it (set a timer if you have to) and that should keep the pain in check. If you stay ahead of it, then you will be better off than if you wait until it starts hurting again.

[MarieL]

Toothache pain is the worst! I agree that you should call the dentist, get the service and tell them that you are in a great deal of pain and need a painkiller that will work. Tell them that they prescribed vicodin and that it's not working. The can prescribe something stronger.

It seems to me that it's worse at night...maybe because you have nothing else to keep your mind off the pain but really, you don't want to be up half the night crying in pain so call them.

[AmymOH]

I feel SO SO sorry for you! I've dealt with many that made me bawl like a baby. That's why I was so grateful when my parents paid for extractions and over-dentures for me this summer. I'm sorry I don't have any advice, when the pain was that bad it seems nothing worked for me. I hope it's better ASAP!

[AthenaD]

Is the pain from the nerve being exposed? I had that problem when I lost my crown. I bought temporary filling at CVS and filled it myself. The pain went away until I could get to the dentist a couple of days later. (Happened New Year's Eve).

I hope you feel better soon!

[BC-Sweedie]

I'm so sorry Aurora. I have never had a root canal so I can't relate. I can't help but wonder if you should be feeling that much pain?

[Sarah]

You need to call them.

Some discomfort after a root canal is normal, but you should not have that much pain. It probably needs to be vented and irrigated with an antimicrobial solution (we use chlorinated soda with KOH). They may even have you refill your antibiotic prescription.

[BC-CathyNY]

I've had a root canal and (I know you don't want to hear this) mine was almost painless. Call the dentist, tell them you're in incredible pain and you want a painkiller that will work for the short term. I'm with Sarah. It sounds to me as if there's an issue with the root canal that they need to address. Pobrecita. Tooth pain is the worst.