May 6, 2007 - 12:27am
I know this site is NOT used for medical purposes.I read the guidelines for the website and please let me know if this post violates them so I will know for future reference, but I noticed that alot of people responding to the "can I combine pain killers" forum. I am supposed to have my wisdom teeth removed due to the fact that the one on my lower left side is the size of 3 teeth fused together and is very close to breaking my jaw, but my insurance company just will not approve the surgery, even with the doctor's note of urgency. I have been prescribed hydrocodone 5/500 two times and they really didn't do anything at all for the pain. I am up all night with the pain and regularly have to massage my jaw to relax the muscle and put it back in place. The dentist refuses to even see me much less do anything for me, because I think I am dealing with more than just my wisdom teeth. So, I am wondering if the 800mg Ibuprofen will really help the pain as much as the replies say it will for the root canal?
May 6, 2007 - 12:49am
#2
Thank you Gtrplayer
My oral surgeon said that since I take a certain medicine that it would interfere with the anesthesia and I would have to get it done at the hospital rather than at the clinic where they normally perform the surgery. So I assume that is why they are not willing to approve it, even though I have BC/BS. I will try the Ibuprofen and let you know how it works out and if they EVER approve my surgery I will let you know how everything turns out with that. As you said I know you are not a medical professional, but I do thank you very much for all of your help.
May 6, 2007 - 12:53am
#3
You're welcome, and is the
You're welcome, and is the "other medicine" by any chance Suboxone?
May 6, 2007 - 1:08am
#4
The other medicine
The other medicine I take is clonazepam for my anxiety, he said it was "too much alike" the anesthesia that would be coming through an IV, the level that he would have to give me would be too high since my system is already used to a type of it. I am being sent to the hospital to get anesthesia gas that I inhale. Also from my understanding the Zoloft I take has something to do with it too.
May 6, 2007 - 1:18am
#5
Hmmm, that's surprising. I
Hmmm, that's surprising. I know a few people who have to take benzodiazepine medications everyday and have no trouble with anesthesia. That being said, everybody is different, and every doctor is entitled to practicing medicine the way they see fit.
I wish you the best of luck, and I really hope that your insurance company comes through for you.
Gtrplayer
May 6, 2007 - 6:38am
#6
I had four impacted wisdom
I had four impacted wisdom teeth chiseled out of my jaw using nitrous oxide and injections of local anesthesia in my dentist's office. I felt nothing but some pressure.
Versed (midazolam) is often used for short term sedation, and you may require a higher dose because Versed is also a benzodiazapine. Versed carries a small risk of respiratory depression and you must have a second person it the office to deal with the complications of the anesthesia while the dentist does surgery. The Zoloft really has nothing to do with it.
I totally see why your insurance company is refusing to pay for you have this proceedure in the hospital. Perhaps you could find an oral surgeon who has the facilities to do it in his office.
May 6, 2007 - 10:26am
#7
thank you Dr. Lois
I have really wanted to consider taking my business elsewhere but this is the second time I have been given the "runaround'. My dentist and my oral surgeon that he sent me to. I'm scared that it will take ever longer since the process is already semi-started at the office that I'm at. I have been waiting since Jan. and dealing with the pain every single day. Another problem is that my dentist doesn't do surgery in his office and that oral surgeon is the only one in about a 30 mile radius that I know of. Thank you so much for your advice and I really do think you are right and will call around to other offices to see if my meds would be a problem. That way I can speed this process along.
May 6, 2007 - 10:47am
#8
Ibuprofen
800mg of motrin is very helpful..These meds are anti inflammatory medicines and a lot of the time with teeth at least in my own dental nightmare there is swelling to some degree, but motrin is worth trying.
You could alternate it with tylenol
May 6, 2007 - 12:19pm
#9
When you say your insurance
When you say your insurance wont cover it do you mean your dental insurance or medical insurance. I had my wisdom teeth out a couple of months ago and I had already hit my limit for dental and I ended up getting a bill for about $2000 a couple weeks later I got a letter from my health insurance company and they decided to pay for all but $60 of it.
And yes ibuprofen is great for oral inflammations.
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Tuna
May 6, 2007 - 9:21pm
#10
My insurance
I was supposed to have my dental cover it but when they decided to send me to the hospital to get it done my health had to cover it. It caused this big problem with the dental office and it turns out they didn't even try to file my claim until 3 weeks after my visit! They had completely lost my file and all the doctors notes that were in it, because the woman who took care of it in the first place apparently got fired for negligence. My insurance is usually really good about taking care of my doctor's visits but this time I seen to have fallen through the cracks. I also have back problems and was just put on generic Darvcet and that seems to help a small bit with the pain. I would really like to stay away from the narcotics though.
Jeannie888, I know you get tired of hearing this, but it's kind of a way that we cover our own butts when giving our "opinions" as to what will or won't work for you. So, let me get my preliminaries out of the way:
I'm not a doctor, pharmacist, or anything else related to the medical field. What I know is from a lot of personal experience, and a lot of research and reading on my spare time. If you have an urgent medical problem, contact a doctor.
In my experience, Ibuprofen does work wonders for tooth pain. Since most tooth pain is caused by inflammation of the nerve, it makes perfect sense. However, some problems aren't as easy as an exposed nerve, such as what you are talking about. It sounds to me like you have impacted teeth that are creating a pressure type of pain. As for that, I'm not sure if Ibuprofen will or will not work. I am a little bit surprised that your insurance will not cover wisdom teeth extraction surgery. I thought nearly all insurances covered this procedure to some extent.
If I were in your shoes, (and I'm just posting what I would do, not necessarily what you should do, I would give the ibuprofen a try 3 times per day. Assuming your kidneys are in fine shape, and you do not have any stomach problems that would be exacerbated by an NSAID, I think (In my opinion only) that you should be just fine with at least giving it a try.
Let us know how you fare.
Gtrplayer