When you grow up there are only tooth *demons*, because the faeries are gone

[earthbelow]

Dear Vicodin,

You are my new best friend.

In case anyone's worried that I've turned into an overnight drug addict, worry not. So here's the story:

On Wednesday, the back most tooth on my upper left side decided to start sending out distress signals saying "hey, gotta talk to you! Something's wrong!" And I got the message, but the pain kept getting worse and worse.

To the point where I couldn't function or think straight. I was thinking crazy thoughts like "if I hit my head hard enough, it'll give me a concussion and knock me out and I won't feel pain".

So on Thursday morning, first thing, I begged and pleaded my way into a dentist's office. He was a nice guy.

Because he the first thing he did? Gave me a shot right in the gums to numb *everything*.

And my first literal thought? Literally? Oh, merciful merciful *GOD*. Literally.

Now, after you've spent a night self-medicating with Tylenol-PM, only to find that instead of knocking you out, the Tylenol-PM makes you feel confused, and you're still in excruciating pain (it's like being insane in hell - something nobody should ever have to be) and then somebody, some wonderful dentist takes mercy on you and stops that pain?

You want to kiss him, his entire staff, and his mama. You want to send him flowers. Thank you notes. Your firstborn child. Other people's firstborn children. In fact, you start thinking of nominating him for Pope or something. And you don't even care that neither one of you is Catholic.

I don't think we normal relish in our daily lives how free of pain we are. Seriously. I believe from now on, every morning will begin with a silent thank you for not being in mindbending *pain*.

But, on with the story...

So he took and X-Ray and here's the sitch: I've got a wisdom tooth that is slowly grinding it's way between my jaw and other tooth and in between it, it is grinding down on the nerve. Thus the unending, excruciating pain. The wisdom tooth *and* the other tooth both need to be dealt with. My options were extraction or root canal.

I went for extraction, because that tooth has been chipped in a car accident *and* had to have a filling *and* still feels to this day like it's got a sharp edge on it. So...it can go.

Plus, the prices laid out were: Extraction - in the 200-600 ballpark. Root Canal - 1200 at least for everything that needed to be done.

And since all I had was a numbed mouth and my mother's insurance card with *no* bleeding idea what would or wouldn't be covered? I just decided to go for the cheapest option because if insurance doesn't cover a 200 procedure, well, *hell*, I can work extra hours and in a few weeks cover that. If insurance doesn't cover a 1200 dollar proceedure?

I'm out a semester's tuition nearly.

That dentist, I will make it a point to return to, btw. He was a really nice guy, really honest, felt professional and compassionate.

However...the dentist he referred me to for an extraction?

*Not* a good dentist. Mainly because he lied to me and has his office assistants shuffle me around (and after the numbing stuff wears off? You REALLY don't feel like being shuffled around).

The guy sat me down in chair, and said "oh, don't you worry. I'm gonna get you out of pain." Assured me over and over that things were gonna get taken care of.

He vaguely resembled Adam Busch (Warren from BTVS, for those in the fannish know). And he was a car saleman with teeth who was more concerned with my insurance than with anything else.

The only good thing he did was prescribe me Vicodin.

And for those who've never taken Vicodin? It's like you're in a movie theatre and you're trying to concentrate on the screen and you can't because these loud obnoxious people (the pain) keep talking and their cellphones keep ringing and you really need to watch the movie. So an usher (Vicodin) comes in and makes them shut up but doesn't distract you in doing so. In fact, he kind of gives you a back rub and suddenly the movie gets a lot better, but not psychedelic or anything. You're just happy to be in a nice quiet movie theatre watching a movie about yourself typing on a computer.

Although, my mom has now grounded me from use of my car while I'm taking Vicodin. Which is fine. I wouldn't hazard to drive like this anyway.

So I get to have Vicodin hold my hand until Tuesday when I go to get not only the troublesome wisdom tooth extracted, but the other wisdom teeth which are encroaching cut out.

So after Tuesday, I'll have my *life* back.

(ps and s00per sekrit - Happy Birthday to washable, I'm sorry I missed it, but I was in a lot of pain and ya know, Vicodin. I hope your day went better than mine!)

Comments

[affinity8.livejournal.com]

Ouch ouch ouch.

Extraction is a great idea. I had all four of my wisdom extracted in the same day, with about 30 shots of Novocaine. That's what the navy does for you.

I've had two root canals in my life, and they're ridiculously expensive.

Here's wishing you're out of pain soon...

[thousandpages.livejournal.com]

Thank you, that's really sweet of you.

Since I'm getting all four of my wisdom teeth out, I'm not only going to have novocaine, but an oral sedative before hand. I saw someone in the dentist's office yesterday who'd taken hers and *woah*.

I do not fear pain. Well, at least not while I'm on that stuff.

And thanks for the well wishes. :)

[washable.livejournal.com]

Awww my lovebuckets, no worries!!!!! *hugs*

[thousandpages.livejournal.com]

Thanks!

I felt bad, because I did remember that yesterday was your birthday, and if I'd been worth talking to, I'd have called.

But...you remember when you called me that one night to tell me you had a shot of Daniel Jackson?

It would've been like that, only *less* coherent.

So happy birthday again and I hope you got something (or someone) fabulous!

[jennixen.livejournal.com]

*huggles lots*

I hope it gets better soon. It's weird but lots of ppl on my F-list have been in pain the last week. :(
Anyway, I know the feeling of pain leaving your body - it's like an orgasm nearly. :)
I hear it's because the body makes lots of something that makes you high and when the pain leaves, you get really high. :)

[thousandpages.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the huggles. :)

Anyway, I know the feeling of pain leaving your body - it's like an orgasm nearly. :)

Yeah. It really is. It's 'cause your body is pumping endorphins to counteract the pain, and when the pain is gone, the endorphins are in your system.

*hugs*

I can always count on you to care, and that's a really good thing. Did I ever tell you I totally love and you rock?

- Meg

[jennixen.livejournal.com]

Aww, Meg - your words mean more than you think. :)))
Lately I've come to really appreciate the friends I have here on LJ and you are one of the dearest people I've met through LJ.

*hugs lots*

It might sound silly but your words are very dear to me. :))

Hey, let me know if you're ever bored and wants to chat. :)

[flukeskywalker.livejournal.com]

I am an expert of wisdom teeth of course - well, at least I am now that Ive had them all removed ;)