Do they have Dentists in the Emergency Room at the Hospital?

[corarose]

I haven't had the money to get several teeth removed and I am in so much pain that I can't move the lower half of my mouth.

Does anyone know If the emergency room has Dentists and if they do are they experienced?

I have been sick now for several weeks with infection in my mouth with several of my teeth that need to come out and I don't know what to do.

I am so scared and I don't have Dental Insurance but I do have medical insurance.

[Blue_Chill]

1. Similar thing happened to me this weekend

A cracked tooth got infected and I felt like ripping my jaw off.

GO TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM AS SOON AS YOU CAN!!!!!

They do not have dentists BUT you can't get your teeth pulled until the infection has gone away anyway. I went and they gave me a MONSTER painkiller (I've been high as all hell for 3 days now) and pennicillin.

GO GO GO GO GO !!!!!!

Also tell them that you probably can not go to the dentist until you save up the money so you need them to give you the full dose of anti-biotics if not pain killers as well.

Trust me on this, as I said I am in almost in your EXACT situation.

[supernova]

2. get thee to a dentist who accepts

payment arrangements, pronto.

Is there a dental school near you? Their clinics are often cheaper than a private practice.

[Lady Freedom]

3. They have them here on call!

Anything though an emmergency room cost!!!!!

[Rainbowreflect]

4. I don't have the answer to your question, but I am sorry for your pain.

Try calling the hospital to ask. Also try any local emergency heath orgs. Check your phone book. I hope you can find help to get better.

[corarose]

11. Thanks you guys

I can't hold my head up to type but thank you.

[Stevendsmith]

5. You need to Get Medical Treatment Now

Go to an emergency room or walk-in clinic. They will point you in the right direction. You'll be fine once you get treatment.

[corarose]

6. I feel like I am going to vomit I am so sick and I have finals this week

The College knows that I am sick and I am going to have to take an incomplete and I don't want to do that but I can't go through with the finals right now because I can't think straight.

[Blue_Chill]

8. Damnit read my post and move your ass!

Get your ass to the emergency room. The pain could increase to knock out levels at any minute. GO GO GO!

[corarose]

7. I have been taking a form of penicillin that the Doctor gave me

It doesn't seem to be any better and I am so scared.

[Blue_Chill]

12. No pain killers?

You got screwed.

also what dose of penn did they give you? I got 500 mg four times a day.

[corarose]

14. I am taking Darvocet and it's not working and I doubled up

It's not cutting the pain and I am so sick.

[Blue_Chill]

16. Then something is wrong that a dentist can not fix

You need urgent medical help. Go now. Seriously you are in far more danger then you seem to realise.

[bearfartinthewoods]

31. seriously...dental infections can cause heart trouble.....GO

[meti57b]

46. dental infections can also infect the bone ...

this happened to someone in my office. He was in the hospital for it for two weeks.

[bicentennial_baby]

17. STOP

Darvocet isn't intended for that type of pain, my dad takes it. It will have virtually no effect, and make you sick to your stomach, most likely.

[corarose]

21. I have two slipped disks in my back and it knocks out that pain but

It's not doing anything for my teeth.

[Heddi]

25. Stop taking the darvocet

having to double the doseage is a sign that it's not working. Darvocet is also mainly used for muscle pain--not mouth pain.

You are running the risk of being 'addicted' to the Darvocet---quite a thing to get off of (I had to take it for a herniated disk---when I quit taking it, I was unable to sleep for a week).

Please. Stop typing and go to the ER. If you cannot drive yourself, and cannot have someone take you, call an ambulance.

You are in a serious condition. Please go. Please.

[Raven]

9. You are a medical emergency, not a dental problem!

Go to the Emergency room. As was said above, they will not do anything until the infection is under control but they will make sure you don't have blood poisoning (which I had with this) and they will take care of the awful pain. GO!

[corarose]

19. Blood Poisoning? OMG!

Will they admit me to the hospital?

[Blue_Chill]

20. Yes and you will even get moved to the front of the line at the ER

GO! when they ask you your level of pain tell them a 10 and tell them that you have had this for so long you fear blood poisoning.

[corarose]

22. OMG Were you admitted to the hospital?

Sorry, to hear about you having the same problem.

[prolesunited]

10. I remember you posting

awhile back with this problem. I'm so sorry that you are still suffering with it. You do need to get to the doctor immediately, though. Untreated dental infections can invade your body and even lead to problems with your heart.

Even if they wouldn't remove teeth -- I don't think they would and they could right now with a raging infection anyway -- they will be able to provide you with antibiotics and painkillers.

As for what to do, perhaps they have a social services person that could help you find the appropriate resources. Have you tried volunteering at dental schools in your area? Anything would be done under the watchful eye of a professor. Have you tried calling any dentists to see about setting up some sort of payment plan?

But PLEASE go get some antibiotics now.

[patdem]

13. I personally pulled a back tooth because I did not have

insurance that covered dental...when I pulled it...only the top came off and since it has two seperate roots one has dislodged, but the other is still there... that was about 5 years ago. I am constantly concerned about infection since a tooth infection can enter the blood stream very quickly...I brush with baking soda two to three times per day because if its ability to kill bacteria.....GOOD LUCK!

[bicentennial_baby]

15. Cora, I can't believe this

This has been going on forever and you still have'nt gone to the ER!? I remember discussing this with you weeks ago, and I remember several people telling you you could develop a systemic blood infection and die! This happened to my dad when he was young, and he ended up having to have ALL of his teeth out.

Please, I have been in your situation (w/out insurance of any kind) and I know what you're feeling. You need to log off of DU, and go directly to the hospital, ASAP. This is not something you can wait on, seriously.

[Blue_Chill]

18. Exactly!

Don't even turn off your CPU just GO!

[Heddi]

23. I AM A NURSING STUDENT---LISTEN TO ME :)

Get thee to an emergency room ASAP.

Seriously.

They do have dentists/maxillofacial specialists at ER's, and they also have the ability to call them in if needed.

Your problem, however, has gone far beyond what should be done by a dentist.

An infection of that caliber can lead to blood poisioning (sepsis) which is quite fatal.

Please. Go to an Emergency Room. NOW.


In addition to getting a blood infection, you can also get some really nasty microbes in the infected tissue of your mouth.

Our mouths are FILLED with junk---Strep, Staph, E.coli----all of which are generally harmless in 'normal situations' (they're called Natural Flora) but can be virulent, or cause infections, under the right condition.

Staph is the 'flesh eating dx' and it can be very hard to get under control if it gets out of control.

Make sure to let the ER people know 1) What antibiotics you've been taking and 2) how long you've been taking them and 3) how much you've been taking.

If your infection hasn't gotten better w/antibiotics, it could be that the microorganisms are antibiotic resistant, which is another bad thing.

Please, please go. You seriously CAN DIE FROM THIS IF YOU ARE NOT SEEN IMMEDIATELY. You seriously CAN LOSE ALL FUNCTIONING OF YOUR MOUTH, TONGUE, TEETH, GUMS, SALIVARY GLANDS, THROAT, ESOPHAGUS IF YOU ARE NOT SEEN IMMEDIATELY.

please go. This should be covered by your Med. Insurance since this goes beyond the scope of Dental Emergencies (broken tooth, tooth ache, etc)

Good luck! Seriously!

[corarose]

26. I am going to Northwestern Hospital

Thanks I am so sick that I will have to wait until my Dad gets home so that he can take care of my cats.

[Heddi]

27. No. Don't wait. Seriously

the cats can take care of themselves. You need to go to the ER RIGHT NOW.

Based on your account, this has gone beyond the scope of 'i'll go to the ER in a little bit'----you are in an emergency situation.

Leave the house key with a neighbor, fill up the cat's food bowls and give them a kiss and let your dad take care of them when he get's home, but you get your hiney to an ER right now.

Where do you live, BTW? Are you in Seattle? If you need a ride, I can pick you up (I only say Seattle b/c there's a Northwest Hospital up here too)

[dweller]

29. Keep talking to her Heddi

does anyone know where this poor child lives? or can get there to her or send an emt?

she needs to be in professional medical care now!

[corarose]

30. Chicago

Thanks for the offer to pick me up.

I am going over there in a few minutes.

[Heddi]

32. Well I wish I could drive to Chicago...

but I don't think I'll be back in time to pick up the inlaws from the airport tomorrow :)

I really wish you the best. Please make sure to tell the Dr's EVERYTHING you've taken. How long you've been in pain. How much pain you're in, how much meds you've been taking, for how long, and the doses of each.

People seem to find themselves (myself included) almost....downplaying their pain and suffering when seeing a Doctor. I don't know why---maybe physiologically we think "oh I'm such a whiner--they don't want to hear me complain"---but they NEED to know that you're not just 'sore', but that you're in complete pain and unable to move--hopefully they'll be able to detect that on their own....but not always.

I really wish you the best. Please let us know how it turns out. You're in my thoughts and prayers.

[Susang]

35. Please go to Northwestern

They have a fantastic ER (used it myself recently) and will take good care of you.

BTW, I've had the same type of thing (a broken tooth allowed bacteria underneath the gums and infected the area around a wire that was left implanted in a jaw from a previous surgery. I know what that pain is like). I waited too long to get help, don't make the same mistake.

[bicentennial_baby]

28. Go Now

Your cats will be ok. Please, call a cab and get going NOW.

[catpower2000]

24. Not in the emergency room I used to work in...

They would give you a horse-sized pain pill and send you to a dentist the next day.

Now, that was in a medium-sized town, not a big city. If you live in the city, you may get lucky, but I must say I've never heard of a dentist on call in an ER.

IMO, you need to call a dentist, explain your problem, and work out a payment plan. Lots and lots of dentists do payment plans, because lots and lots of people don't have dental insurance.

Now look, don't wait on this. You probably have a staph infection and you CAN die from that, I swear. You need to get the teeth removed and get on antibiotics IMMEDIATELY. I am not overstating it.

Cat

[Nay]

37. Don't need dentist. Go to ER NOW.

People die from this. As a former med tech, I've seen it happen. GO.

[corarose]

33. Thank You all I am going as soon as I get my clothes on

Thanks everyone!

[Bossy Monkey]

34. Yay! Best wishes/best of luck

[dweller]

36. whew!

.

[Blue_Chill]

38. How did it go?

hello? what? Get off me! AAAHHHHHHH

[bicentennial_baby]

39. LOL

Yes, I want to know how Cora's doing as well.

[proud patriot]

40. Me too ! Hope all is okay

Glad you went to the doctor :hi:

[Stephanie]

41. Came here to check on corarose

Where is she? corarose, check in please.

[prolesunited]

42. I'm concerned, too

Hopefully, she got some good painkillers and is just getting some much-needed sleep.

[greatauntoftriplets]

43. Maybe they admitted her to the hospital?

It sounded like she had a raging infection and possibly needed intravenous antibiotics.

[ArkDem]

44. Only if one was injured in an accident

.

[Raven]

45. With what she described

she probably did have blood poisoning. In that case they would not remove any teeth until that was cleared up. They might admit her if she was really bad but they probably treated the infection and gave her some strong pain medicine like codene, and sent her home. She will have to go back later to have her teeth taken care of and if she doesn't do that she will get into trouble again.

[bleedingheart]

47. get to the doctor!... I hope you have already but get there if you

haven't.

as someone who has had many health problems I recommend going... the last thing you really can't afford to lose is your good health!

so get your keester over to the ER!

[Lindsey]

48. This is why I'm a progressive...

I so strongly believe that health care AND dental should be a right for us as human beings. I just spent $1,700 yesterday at the dentist! That's after already spending about $2,000 earlier in the summer and I still have about $1,500 to go. Fortunately, I was able to get a credit card to help so my entire check doesn't go to this. I hope this girl is okay. Has anyone heard from her?

[Heddi]

49. Kicking b/c I'm concerned for Corarose

Please let us know how you are when you get out :)

[Kellanved]

50. Getting worried

:kick:

[liberalpress]

51. I wouldn't just yet...

If she was sick as she seemed, they undoubtedly kept her, at least overnight, possibly longer.

[Stephanie]

52. Check in, please, corarose

We want to know how you are!

[dweller]

53. Hellooooooo....ooooo....ooo

just checking....checking....:kick:

Corarose? are ya there?


dp

[meti57b]

54. corarose, I'm thinking about you and hoping you are okay

[Raven]

55. We are here... there isn't much more that we can do.

I want everybody on this site on my side if something goes wrong. You guys are just wonderful. Cora might very well be in bed or in the hospital. I am sure she will get back here when she can. In the meantime...all of you have done more than enough. :-)

[dweller]

56. Do you think any Chicago DU'ers

may know her? Or could check around to see if she's in a hospital and getting cared for and just unable to get online?
It sure would be a relief to know she was in good hands with all she's been going through.

just a thought. Meantime, hope for the best.

dp

[maveric]

57. I had a friend who died under those circumstances.

Back in high school. He hated going to the dentist and and tried to ignore the infection and related pain. He passed out in school one day with a temp of 107. Got rushed to the hospital and died.

Go to the ER ASAP!!

[corarose]

58. I am back home guys thanks for caring about me

I just got back about 1 hour ago. They kept me over night and released me earlier tonight.

They have me on vicodent and I am flying high from it. The bad news is I have to go early in the morning and have 9 of my back teeth taken out because the infection has spread.

I haven't had dental insurance in over 8 years.

[SoCalDem]

59. Whew... glad that they kept you and took good care of you

That's the pits about losing your teeth..:(.. Take care and don'tdrive while you are on vicodin..It's verrrrry strong stuff.. I have used it and it DOES take the pain away :)

[corarose]

62. They weren't going to keep me at first

I sat in the waiting room for over 7 hours and they kept putting my chart behind everyone else's chart and I finally told them that I am going to VOMIT any minute from being sick and I asked for the manager.
The manager came out and she couldn't believe that I had sat that long in the waiting room.

I haven't eaten in about 5 days and I told them that and they decided to keep me because of the infection and pain level that I was at.

[bicentennial_baby]

60. So glad you're back!

We were very worried about you! Don't worry, I had 10 out at once, it was easy as cake, and I felt so much better afterwards. I assume you're on antibiotics as well?

[corarose]

64. How long did you go without teeth?

The told me it takes months before you can get a partial is that true?

[bicentennial_baby]

65. 6-8 weeks

You have to go back a few times so they can make molds of your mouth with different materials, and then they send the final molds out be made into partials, and then you go back for a final fitting. It's a bitch, but it's a detailed process.

[FireHeart]

72. That is good to hear--really.

You can survive without nine teeth. You could not survive if conditions had been left to what they were.

Believe me, I know. I was hospitalized for 11 days because of a similiar situation--at the time I was too far away from any medical facilities to prevent the infection.

By the time I got to them, my red blood cell count was half of what it should have been, my white blood cell count was astronomic. I was in tremendous pain and I developed several nasty side effects.

That was from ONE tooth. You are extremely fortunate. At least they gave you a decent pain killer. My medics gave me nothing.

[corarose]

76. That's shitty

They should have given you some good meds and I feel for you when you were in pain.

[corarose]

61. I have two teeth on the bottom in front that has to be removed

They said that I will have to go without teeth for 6 to 8 weeks because of the infection.
The funny thing about it it's the same two teeth that were the first ones to come in when I was a baby. My Sister use to call me two toothies and now she will be able to call me about 12 toothies.

[maveric]

63. Its great to see that you are OK.

Many people here were very concerned about you.
Did they put you on antibiotics? if so take them to the EXACT instructions by the doctor.

MAveRiC

[corarose]

66. They hooked me up to an antibotic drip

I had a saline & antibotic drip.

Thanks guys!

[Julien Sorel]

67. Quite a story.

I'm happy to see you are OK, and was amazed by all the passion the folks here demonstrated for your safety.

[corarose]

68. I love my DU Family

:kick:

[dweller]

69. Well we love you too Corarose

everyone has been watching to hear from you again.
It's so good to see you sounding better and upbeat, you'll get through this soon enough.
Get some rest, then we can get back to beating bush butt!

dp

[Rhiannon12866]

70. WOW! What an amazing story. I cannot believe I missed it

Yes, DU is a wonderful family and they do, obviously, love you. I am so glad that you sought treatment. I have known others that have blown off dental work and have been sorry. Too many people are afraid. Others, like you, lack dental insurance. I have one friend who has many problems, but has worked out a payment plan, over time, with his dentist.

On another thread, I told you that I had dental surgery last fall and lost weight because of it. I would not have made light of it if I had known the seriousness of your problem. I apologize and hope everything is okay with you. I really did have dental surgery, last fall, and went nuts the first 24 hours because I could have only yogurt or pudding. I am not big on sweets. I finally had some lukewarm soup.

I have dental insurance, but this is not always enough. I am currently unemployed and have had serious veterinary bills. I chose to treat my dogs and cat before I treated myself. I was scheduled to have my tooth replaced in April, but cancelled, because I figured I could feed my sweet cocker spaniel, Sheena, for 10 years, for what it would cost me to replace my tooth. Fortunately my lost tooth is in the back. Unfortunately, despite all I did, I lost my Sheena two months ago. That's the reason my tiny guy, who just went to the groomer, is so freaked out. I have no immediate plans to have my dental work done, though my dentist is excellent and a family friend. My animals come first.

I wish you luck and please keep DU posted. They were freaking out, worrying about what became of you. If you only lived near me, I would bring you both homemade soup and my dog for grooming!:-)

[corarose]

73. 2 Years ago I used my money to save the life of my Son "Kitty" & he died

3 hours after I gave the vet my last $2,500.00 dollars. I have to be honest the money was for the dentist and I am on disability for an injury and I didn't have the funds to spare but I gave it up when I had the choice of paying the vet for my boy to live or suffering tooth decay and gum disease. I picked my kid and he lived for 3 hours on life support and the vet kept the cash. He wanted cash upfront for my 16 year old red tabby Persian and I gave it.

I am still missing my boy but I have another baby boy and he is 2 years old now and he is going through his terrible two's. He is also a red tabby Persian and I named him AL after Al Gore.

You have a kind heart and I am with you all the way when it comes to our kids.

[Heddi]

74. OH Corarose I'm so glad you're okay

Sorry that you have to lose some Teeth, but I think I'd rather be toothless than dead :)

And look at it this way--you can freak kids out by slipping your partial out of your mouth and making gooney faces :)

I really am so glad you went to the hospital. I really am glad you came to DU to get advice instead of NOT asking anyone anything.

Please recover quickly :)

[Rhiannon12866]

75. Oh, corarose, I am so very sorry! Your story ripped my heart out!

Why is this person a vet? Does he have no compassion for animals?!:grr:

You have no idea what a kindred spirit you have encountered. My vet bills, for the past couple of years, have been horrific. However, my animals' health is my first priority. You have seen photos of my animals because you posted twice on my thread about bringing my little dog to the groomer. I replied to both your posts. I spent $368 for numerous treatments for my precious dog, Barney, including X-Rays and a package of subcutaneous fluids, which I was supposed to give him at home, but lost him later that night, so never got the chance. I had been taking him for acupuncture. He had calcification of his spine and this made him more comfortable and improved his appetite and mobility. I lost him in November. He was 18. I still miss him so much, everyday.;(

I told you of losing my Sheena two months ago. I put both her and my little guy on ``wellness plans'' at my local Banfield, which is located within PetsMart. This is my vet's second practice. I paid $69.95, once ever, and then so much a month, depending on which ``plan'' I chose. Of course, Sheena was on the most expensive one, which includes X-Rays. It did save me a lot of money, so you might want to consider this, if there is a Banfield convenient to you. I have saved a great deal of money with this. All exams and inoculations are covered under the most basic plan. Unfortunately, I lost my sweet Sheena two months ago and I will still be paying monthly until next February, since that's when I signed the contract. I never expected to lose her. I just paid my credit card bill, which included this, earlier tonight.:-(

My vet does have compassion for animals. I cannot imagine him turning away anyone because they cannot pay. I have met several people who have worked out payment plans. He, personally, gave me a 15% discount when I brought in my nearly-feral kitty, who I can now hear snoring from behind the couch. She had been abandoned and I finally brought her in, using a have-a-heart trap. Needless to say, that was not an inexpensive visit, $467, even with the discount, and she needs to go back for dental work, of all things. Her teeth are not in good shape and I am sure you can identify.:-(

I am, however, so very glad that you have found another kitty to love. He is a very lucky cat, to have you as his mom.
:loveya:

[corarose]

78. OMG I had to give my Garfield fluids and he died at the Vet the next day

I rushed him into the emergency vet and they demanded the $2,500.00 bucks to keep him alive. I keep thinking that I killed my Cat with the fluids and I break down every time I think about it.

We are kindred spirits.

[Rhiannon12866]

79. No, if he was dehydrated he needed the fluids

My Barney was, and I was shown how to tell that he was and how to administer them. These contain things that the animal's body needs and could not have harmed him. Your vet has to have known this, or he would not be in practice.

$2,500 is extremely expensive, however. This would cover a lot more than fluids. I just checked my invoice and the administration of the fluids at the hospital cost $40. The package that I took home cost $25. They must have done much more than this to result in such a high cost. I spent $368, and this included X-Rays and injections to make him more comfortable. I was supposed to bring him back for an ultrasound. Sheena had one, which was over $200, but nothing close to $2,500.

Please do not panic. It was something other than the fluids that he was given that resulted in the death of your dearest boy. I had a necropsy performed on Barney, because this was so sudden. His vet told me that he had a mass in his gall bladder that had spread. Animals' metabolisms are much faster than humans. Your Garfield must have had something similar that came on suddenly. I am sure that the fluids only helped him be more comfortable, as they did Barney.

[corarose]

77. Very strong antibotics

I was on a drip when I was in the hospital and I am taking some huge green pills now and I think that they were the ones that were used to treat Bushes staff in Washington (Clindamycin).

[rustydog]

71. You need to seek immediate medical attention.

If you are lucky, you do not have a blood infection or a bone infection.Both are a stone-cold bitch to clear-up.

Get to an ER or look in the yellow pages for a dentist now.