Left too long!

[Carolyngriffiths1005@hotm]

I don't really know what I'm expecting from posting this I don't think anyone can help just feeling a bit desperate lol. Firstly if anyone knows how I can change my member/user name please could you advise.
In May 2024 I was referred for maxillofacial surgery for an impacted wisdom tooth that was causing me problems but at the time wasn't infected. In February this year I had heard nothing and the tooth became abscesed. it still says on the NHS app in relation to the referral that the average waiting time is 27 weeks but may be longer and patients will be seen in order of priority.
The first infection I managed with salt water rinses. It came back with a vengance in early March and I was in agony. I called 111 who said I needed to go to my dentist who prescribed metronidazole and I was also taking nuromol and Co codamol several times a day. The infection then came back in mid March and my face swelled up. I took metronidazole and amoxycillin after a trip to both my dentist and urgent care (this gave me horrendous sciatica, diarrhoea and thrush on top of the infection).
In early March my dentist removed the top wisdom tooth to try to reduce the trauma in my cheek. He also made a second referral.
I had heard nothing from the hospital but the second referral is apparently on a new system and says if I haven't heard by 6th May to call them.
When my face swelled up I was advised by a work colleague to call them anyway which I did and was given an appointment for 5th April. I would still be on the waiting list if I hadn't called.
I have been referred for an urgent scan and have apparently been booked in to have the tooth removed, I am awaiting confirmation of dates, May or June was mentioned but I can't have a general or sedation because I'll have to wait months and am absolutely dreading having to have it done awake.
Just finished another course of antibiotics and my face is still swollen I just can't do it all again I don't think the antibiotics are even working anymore. Just feel really let down that my referral wasn't even reviewed. In 2 days I'll be in agony again

 

[Dr M]

It sounds like you no longer have the luxury of waiting for general anaesthetic or sedation. Usually with the local anaesthetic, you should be okay. They tend to numb up the area quite well, so it is only the pressure feeling that you experience. As an alternative, ask your dentist to prescribe you some oral sedation tablets that you can take before the procedure. I sometimes prescribe a 15mg Dormicum tablet for my anxious patients. It does not put you to sleep, but it helps you to relax and also has an effect where you don't remember everything about the procedure.
You won't be able to drive afterwards, so someone will have to accompany you to and from the practice/clinic/hospital where the procedure is being done.

 

[Carolyngriffiths1005@hotm]

It sounds like you no longer have the luxury of waiting for general anaesthetic or sedation. Usually with the local anaesthetic, you should be okay. They tend to numb up the area quite well, so it is only the pressure feeling that you experience. As an alternative, ask your dentist to prescribe you some oral sedation tablets that you can take before the procedure. I sometimes prescribe a 15mg Dormicum tablet for my anxious patients. It does not put you to sleep, but it helps you to relax and also has an effect where you don't remember everything about the procedure.
You won't be able to drive afterwards, so someone will have to accompany you to and from the practice/clinic/hospital where the procedure is being done.

Thank you for your reply it's much appreciated