This is going to be a long post and “tmi”..
I had an abscess that showed up on the gum line of my lower back molar last year. I initially had no clue what it was and (after poking a bit with my finger) it began releasing blood & a little pus.
It ended up going away on its own within a few days and I figured that was the end of it.
Fast forward to a few months ago and it showed up again. Same scenario as above with me “draining” it constantly throughout the day and night (fear of dentist, unfortunately).
I also began feeling unwell..like how we know we’re about to get sick. It was mild neck pain/stiffness (as though I slept wrong), mild headaches, low energy, and just the slightest tingling/sore throat. It didn’t cross my mind that it may had been related to the abscess. I had those symptoms for nearly 3 weeks until I finally saw a dentist on March 12th.
After the examination it was determined that the tooth needed to be extracted (due to the infection that showed in the X-rays).
The dentist had me take Amoxicillin (500mg 2x/day) for 7 days prior to extraction date and scheduled CT X-rays to see bone loss.
I felt no relief from the symptoms (described above) despite finishing the antibiotics. I told the dentist this when I went back for the CT X-rays 5 days after starting the Amoxicillin (March 17th). He said it was “ok” and to continue doing salt water rinses and he would see me back for the extraction in 3 days.
On March 20th, I had the extraction done with a bone graft and membrane. I was given a new prescription for 2 Z-packs (Azithromycin). It was 500mg 3x/day for 6 days to help combat the infection and to prevent any new infection.
I started having relief of my symptoms on the 3rd day of taking the medication, which was amazing. But the SAME symptoms came back 2 days after finishing the medication.
Confused, I called their office and explained how I was feeling. They scheduled me to come in the following day to get examined, which was April 1.
They said everything looked good and I was healing very well. When I asked why I was still feeling poorly they said “it’s expected” and that my infection had been “severe.”
I was told to continue my routine of salt rinsing and that my body would continue to “expel” the infection via urine. I now will go back in another 2 weeks for work on another tooth.
I’m stressing because I can’t figure out why I would still feel “unwell” despite having the tooth extracted (the source). This has been making me think the infection was “severe” enough that it spread elsewhere..?
I’ve never had any pain with this tooth (before or after extraction), which is a plus. But I can’t find anything online about these symptoms continuing 3 weeks after surgery. Everything I find is about people getting infections after extractions, which doesn’t apply.
Because I have anxiety, my lingering symptoms are making me go nuts. I don’t even truly know if these symptoms are from that infection. I just assumed they were because having pus draining into your body for so long is bound to do harm, right?
All of this being said, I don’t know what to do. I’ve already contacted their office a few too many times (with different issues) and the tone of the office girl’s voice is apparent of that. So I would rather not call again if it’s not “necessary” and I may be overreacting.
Sorry for the long post, but I stress for good reasons; I’m a single mom of a little one who has autism and was recently diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. No family or friends around so everything is my responsibility. If something happens to me then, well, that’s what I’m trying to prevent.
I appreciate any tips/advice/feedback.. Thank you!
I had an abscess that showed up on the gum line of my lower back molar last year. I initially had no clue what it was and (after poking a bit with my finger) it began releasing blood & a little pus.
It ended up going away on its own within a few days and I figured that was the end of it.
Fast forward to a few months ago and it showed up again. Same scenario as above with me “draining” it constantly throughout the day and night (fear of dentist, unfortunately).
I also began feeling unwell..like how we know we’re about to get sick. It was mild neck pain/stiffness (as though I slept wrong), mild headaches, low energy, and just the slightest tingling/sore throat. It didn’t cross my mind that it may had been related to the abscess. I had those symptoms for nearly 3 weeks until I finally saw a dentist on March 12th.
After the examination it was determined that the tooth needed to be extracted (due to the infection that showed in the X-rays).
The dentist had me take Amoxicillin (500mg 2x/day) for 7 days prior to extraction date and scheduled CT X-rays to see bone loss.
I felt no relief from the symptoms (described above) despite finishing the antibiotics. I told the dentist this when I went back for the CT X-rays 5 days after starting the Amoxicillin (March 17th). He said it was “ok” and to continue doing salt water rinses and he would see me back for the extraction in 3 days.
On March 20th, I had the extraction done with a bone graft and membrane. I was given a new prescription for 2 Z-packs (Azithromycin). It was 500mg 3x/day for 6 days to help combat the infection and to prevent any new infection.
I started having relief of my symptoms on the 3rd day of taking the medication, which was amazing. But the SAME symptoms came back 2 days after finishing the medication.
Confused, I called their office and explained how I was feeling. They scheduled me to come in the following day to get examined, which was April 1.
They said everything looked good and I was healing very well. When I asked why I was still feeling poorly they said “it’s expected” and that my infection had been “severe.”
I was told to continue my routine of salt rinsing and that my body would continue to “expel” the infection via urine. I now will go back in another 2 weeks for work on another tooth.
I’m stressing because I can’t figure out why I would still feel “unwell” despite having the tooth extracted (the source). This has been making me think the infection was “severe” enough that it spread elsewhere..?
I’ve never had any pain with this tooth (before or after extraction), which is a plus. But I can’t find anything online about these symptoms continuing 3 weeks after surgery. Everything I find is about people getting infections after extractions, which doesn’t apply.
Because I have anxiety, my lingering symptoms are making me go nuts. I don’t even truly know if these symptoms are from that infection. I just assumed they were because having pus draining into your body for so long is bound to do harm, right?
All of this being said, I don’t know what to do. I’ve already contacted their office a few too many times (with different issues) and the tone of the office girl’s voice is apparent of that. So I would rather not call again if it’s not “necessary” and I may be overreacting.
Sorry for the long post, but I stress for good reasons; I’m a single mom of a little one who has autism and was recently diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. No family or friends around so everything is my responsibility. If something happens to me then, well, that’s what I’m trying to prevent.
I appreciate any tips/advice/feedback.. Thank you!
