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Wisdom tooth trouble, hydrocodone, feeling shaky!

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Posted 7/11/2009 7:16 PM (GMT 0)
Hello everyone!  Its me again.  I'm having a rough couple'a weeks!  I know most of you have read my complaints and fears about my up coming wisdom tooth extraction.  Yeah it was just a wisdom tooth coming in that I was nervous about having removed.  Now its a VERY PAINFUL wisdom tooth that I'm nervous about having removed!  I have an impacted wisdom tooth.  Its been swollen for a few days now.  Always worse in the am! 

My dentist has me a consultation apt with an oral surgeon set for the 13th at 2:30.  Thats eastern time.  Well, he prescribed me hydrocodone and an antibiotic.  I've been taking the antibiotic.  Just about 3 days ago though, I woke up in a lot of pain!  I tried just taking ibuprofen but that didnt work.  It got so bad that even though I'm afraid of strong pain killers, I took the hydrocodone.  Well the first night I took about a 3rd of it.  Its 500mgs.  Then the next day I took a half.  This morning I woke up in so much pain, I took a whole one at about 8:00am.  Then I went back to bed.  I got up a few hours ago feeling so shaky!  I just felt weak and shaky!  So I thought maybe I needed to eat.  I did that.  Nothing.  Then I thought, maybe I was dehydrated so I drank a couple glasses of water.  Nothing.  So then I was really nervous (of course didnt help the shakiness), and I took my 1mg clonazepam.  Well that was about an hour and a half ago.  I feel less shaky.  I still feel shaky though.  Not as bad, but it is there.

I was in the emergency room yesterday because the pain was so bad I couldnt hardly stand it!  I couldnt eat!  I was crying so much!  In panic!  Thought maybe the tooth was infected and the infection might get into my blood stream and kill me?!  They sent me home telling me to keep on the meds.  So I've been looked at less than 24 hrs ago.  Dont think I need to go back.  Dont THINK?

I was wondering if any of you have taken hydrocodone and felt this shakiness?  I dont know if thats what it is or not?  I paced the floor for a while (when I panic I have to pace)!  Now I'm able to sit and type this.

Just wondering if anybody has any advice or has felt this way before on this med?  Or if maybe you know something else it could be.  I'm still kinda shaky.  You dont think this is like I got infection in my tooth that has spread or gotten into my blood stream and is causing this, do you?  I was just seen yesterday.  All they did was look at the tooth and listen to my heart and lungs.  Would that tell them if it was anything dangerous?  I'm just really freaking out!  Maybe its just the hydrocodone making me shaky?

In any case, I'm pretty much freaking out!  Trying not to!  I knew to come here for support! 

-Jen

Posted 7/11/2009 7:46 PM (GMT 0)

Jen,

Hydrocondone side effects include but are not limited to  Drowsiness, mental clouding, lethargy, impairment of mental and physical performance, anxiety, fear, dysphoria, psychic dependence, mood changes.

One condition that can occur when wisdom teeth are impacted is pericoronitis. The term pericoronitis refers to an infection located in the tissues that surround a tooth that has not fully emerged through the gums and on into its proper position (this type of tooth positioning would be termed "partially erupted").

You are on a antibiotic so you are being treated for an infection.  The ER does not have an oral surgeon so they would have to refer you to a specialist and I am assuming they felt you were covered by antibiotic and pain med until Monday.

I would say don't take the RX pain med if it is making you feel bad and go back to using the Ibuprofen on a regular schedule, keep taking your Antibiotic and call the nurse call line or your dentists emergency contact if the pain becomes unbearable.  Remember it is your decision.  JMHO.  :)

Also look at some home remedies for tooth pain. Clove oil, put directly onto the affected tooth or area with a cotton swab works well for some people.

I am sure others will have ideas.

Take care,

Kitt

Posted 7/11/2009 10:22 PM (GMT 0)
Yes , it is the big V. turn
Posted 7/12/2009 4:35 AM (GMT 0)
Well I guess I'll just stick to the ibuprofen. I know the side effects of that and I dont have any. The pain was really bad though!

I still want to know how come I was shaky. I mean, do you guys ever get that inner shaky feeling? Were you feel as though you might start shaking unbearably? I also felt pretty weak as well. Is this symptoms of anxiety?

-Jen
Posted 7/12/2009 2:02 PM (GMT 0)
Because more than likely you did not eat and then took the medication on a empty stomach. If I took it without eating, I would feel sick and shaky too. I take pain meds everyday because of my chronic health condition, and I always have to eat before I take them. Jennara, with all due respect, I do not think this required a ER visit. You had pain meds and antibiotics. In my personal opinion you should be contacting your oral surgeon or dentist about situations like this. That is their specialty, not the ER, they are for medical emergencies. I also agree with Kitt you didn't get any treatement in ER because your dentist did the standard treatment for impacted/abcessed teeth. I have a suggestion when the pain gets too bad before your surgery. Try taking 1/2 tab of the Vicodin and then 2 over the counter Ibruprofen. They call this a pain cocktail. Both help with the pain, but the Ibruprofen gives an additional anti inflammatory. But be sure you eat something first, some bread or crackers will help.  Also, no infection is going to go rampant thru your bloodstream, you are already on antibiotics, so let those fears go.  Hang in there surgery will be over soon. JMHO

Good luck,
Gail *Nanners*
Posted 7/12/2009 7:58 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Jennara,
I can't take any of those sort of pain meds, they make me feel like I'm spinning somewhere around the ceiling and I tremble and can't move. Its a terrible feeling. I'd say go with the Ibuprofen and if its a sore inside your mouth can you use Orajel or Anbesol? They are topical numbing agents just for the mouth. You could even use a small amount of the throat spray for sore throats too - its temporary but any relief would probably be good. You only have one more day before you see the oral surgeon and I'm sure they will take good care of you - write down any questions you want to ask them. You're on an antibiotic so I wouldn't worry about infection. Hopefully they'll be able to get that miserable tooth out so you can get some relief! I know you are anxious about the extraction but you will be ok! You'll probably be even better after the tooth comes out because you won't have to deal with that any more! Just follow your doctors instructions and you will be Ok. Try some deep breaths and do something that helps you relax. Good luck and let us know how things go tomorrow!
~Dixi
Posted 7/17/2009 10:17 AM (GMT 0)
Having 2 teeth out today. Getting ready to go. TERRIFIED!!!! I'll tell you guys how it goes when I'm feeling better.

Thank you for the love and support

-Jen
Posted 7/17/2009 12:52 PM (GMT 0)
Sending healing thoughts and prayers your way. I am sure you will do just fine. We tend to worry ourselves sick before procedures like this, then find afterward it wasn't as bad as we thought. Good luck!
Posted 7/19/2009 4:17 PM (GMT 0)

Hi Jennara,

I hope that you are feeling better now that your wisdom teeth have been removed.   

It appears that you are getting some helpful support, I am relieved.  I am new to this and have to remember there are many threads and communication continues through those other places and I guess I missed the efforts made to support you. I just saw the one that I thought (in my opinion) was a bit too harsh. 

Take Care.

Suds

Posted 7/19/2009 5:21 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Jenn,

How you feeling kiddo.  Just checking in to see how the procedure went and if your anxiety has decreased after the procedure.

Let us hear from you when you are up to it.  Lots of hugs and good wishes to you.

Wishing you the best,

Kitt

Posted 7/19/2009 8:57 PM (GMT 0)
Jen,

Just checking in to see how you're doing. I hope everything went well, and that you've got nothing more to worry about from your teeth.

percycat
Posted 7/20/2009 2:24 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Jennara!
Just wanted to say that I hope you are feeling better and sending healing thoughts your way!
~Dixi
Posted 7/20/2009 2:48 AM (GMT 0)
I can relate to that tooth pain. There's nothing worse than tooth pain. I can take a lot of pain but one night I was dying with a tooth problem. The dentist had left a little piece of gauze in my tooth after a root canal. I guess it was putting pressure on the nerve. I was in tears, too. Awful! I hope you're feeling better and I'm glad the extraction is over!!
Posted 7/21/2009 1:38 AM (GMT 0)
Hello everybody!!!!

Thank you all for you support and encouragement!  I wanted to come on here and tell you all that I am fine.  Not just that, I'm feeling a bit silly.  I went in a few days ago and had 3 of my wisdom teeth removed.  I had the gas, (first I said I didnt want it), it helped and didnt make me feel strange at all!  It made me feel alot better!  Then they gave me the IV that DID NOT hurt.  And the scariest part of all, which was being put to sleep, it was NOTHING!  It was absolutely nothing to be afraid of!  I actually remember it as a pleasant experience.  I just felt a release.  I felt really at peace and happy as I drifted off.  Funny because when I first got there, I told them I was so terrified!  I kept asked what they were doing and why.  I was so drawn up and tense!  I was in tears with fear! 

The gas didnt make me feel completely relaxed at first.  It didnt feel like much at all, at first.  It made me a little numb for the IV and then started to make me feel like laughing.  I remember feeling happy.  Then the doctor and nurse started talking to me about an old children's show I used to watch.  We were laughing.  Then he let me know when he was giving me the anesthesia, and as nervous as I had been, it felt very relaxing!  I was worried that it would just feel like I didnt have control over whether or not I fell asleep.  I HATE feeling out of control!  But it didnt feel like that at all!  It felt so pleasant!  Like I just WANTED to drift off.

When I woke up, I was in no pain!  I was numb and I still felt very relaxed and happy!  I was telling the nurses how glad I was that I did it!  I never even got sick to my stomach which I have had surgery before and I did before.  Medical science is getting better and better!  I was so terrified and such a wreak for weeks over this!  It was NOTHING!  I'd do it again tomorrow if I needed to, and I wouldnt be afraid at all!

My mouth hurts some.  They did give me meds for that.  Ofcoarse its going to hurt some.  Nothing like I thought it would though!  And that reminds me, I'm NOT afraid of meds anymore!  I was beyond terrified of them before!  Just so much fear of taking anything!  I used to just sit and wait for how it was going to make me feel, then I'd freak myself out into believing something was wrong.  I have been given alot of meds after this surgery and they dont hurt me at all!  The hydrocodone are strong and yeah, make me a little antsy for a little bit.  Not panicy!  If I focused on that, I could probably freak myself out but since I was given the med after the surgery, I realized that its nothing.  I see medication for what it is now!  Its not something to worry so much about.  I mean, I still think you should be informed on your meds.  I just think now, you should trust your doctor.  I never trusted my doctors and I never had a reason not to.  I hope somebody reads this that needs it! 

I feel so free from fear now that I have done this stuff!  I made it!  I found that it was nothing!  I feel free!!!!

Thank you all for your help and support! 

Love always,

-Jen

Posted 7/21/2009 5:08 AM (GMT 0)

You did it and I'm so happy for you!! What a feeling when you face your fear and you realize all is well. It's definitely calming.

I went to the dentist last week and had my tooth filled. It was a large cavity and part of my tooth had fallen out. I was scared and felt a calmness. I knew my teeth had to be worked on and whatever was going to happen, would happen. He offered the gas to me but I was just having the cavity filled and the tooth built back up. I did fine.

Again, I'm glad your appt. is over and that everything went so well! Congrats!

Posted 7/21/2009 1:06 PM (GMT 0)
Yeah Jennara!!! I am so stinkin proud of you!!! You did it girl, I knew you could. We tend to get ourselves all worried about a procedure and then when its over, we are wondering what we were so worried about.

I have a chronic illness myself and have to take 25 pills a day. I finally came to the realization that in order to feel decent I had to give in and take my medicine.

So glad your procedure is over and even happier that you did so well.

Big Congrats!!
Gail*Nanners*
Posted 7/21/2009 2:36 PM (GMT 0)

Good Morning Jen,

You have come a long way................  I am so proud of you too.  I knew you would make it through and now not only our your wisdom teeth gone but so is your fear of medications and IV sedation.

I still, at my age, ask for the "gas" at all dental appointments..........I will gladly pay out of pocket to be put at ease.   My dentist always laughs and tells me he will give me the 2 martini dose. 

Thank you for the great post and it will be so helpful to others feeling the same way as you do. ((((((((HUGS))))))))

Kitt

Posted 7/21/2009 4:24 PM (GMT 0)
Jen,

Bravo to you for coming through with flying colors! I'm proud of you and so glad that the procedure was so smooth and successful for you. Now you can remember this experience next time you're afraid your anxiety will get the better of you, knowing that on this occasion, it did *not*.

percycat
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