Just Had Two Teeth Removed. Would you take Vicodin before novacaine wears off?

[HeatherC]

Well...that was fun. Not.

Anyway..just had an upper right wisdom tooth and lower right molar (bad root canal) tooth pulled about an hour ago. I was awake and they just numbed the area which is still pretty numb.

Oral surgeon prescribed Vicodin 500mg 2 tablets every 6 hours.

Since I'm not in pain yet, I just took one "in case" it hurts when the novacaine wears off.

Would you take the second one now or wait?

Figured it might be better to get "ahead" of the pain which I think is when the medicine works better.

What would you guys suggest?

Thanks so much!

 

[wdwfan16]

I would take the second one.

 

[lauracitawita]

Yes...take a second one!

 

[HeatherC]

Thank you both! That's what I'm going to do right now!!!

 

[mom2travel]

good luck
Remember to stay ahead of the pain - it will be awful if you feel it first and then try to "catch up" with meds

 

[LuvOrlando]

I would actually take 1/2 and see where you are. The thing is Vicodin comes in different strengths and Dentists tend to over prescribe the dose. As a result not all Vicodin are the same. I take it for migraine with my Fioricet and only 1/4 of my tablet is necessary, besides every person is different. Just be careful you don't poison yourself, the pill takes about 45 minutes to fully reach your bloodstream, more time if you've recently eaten. If you already took a full one see where you are in an hour. Feel better

 

[TEENEE]

When I need pain meds for something like that I write down each time I take the medicine. It's easy to get confused when aren't thinking straight.

 

[HeatherC]

Thanks again! I did take the second one so we will see how it goes.

I don't like taking medicine of any kind really but figure if I can get ahead of it today and tomorrow I'll throw the rest of the pills out.

I certainly realize how "dangerous" these prescription drugs are.

I'm sitting here with an ice pack on it as well.

 

[KramBerries]

I have two conflicting views. First, pain medication works much better if you stay ahead of the pain. If you wait until you hurt, you usually overmedicate.

Second, pain medication can be habit forming. I take only what I'm sure I need and discontinue as soon as possible.

I'm the paranoid type, so I would have passed on the vicodin and stuck with advil or aspirin. My advice would be to take only what we perscribed and, if you find that you need more for some reason, get friends or family involved to make sure that you don't keep finding reasons for more. I guess I'm more afraid of addiction than pain.

 

[HeatherC]

Totally agree. That's why I will only take it for today and maybe tomorrow morning...if I even need it.

I have had several surgeries over the years, including a c-section where I only took the meds for a day. With my c-section, they prescribed Percocet. I took 2 doses and realized that it was VERY dangerous. Just made you feel "too good" if you know what I mean. I chucked the bottle the same day.

Plan on doing the same this time around.