At what point do I need to force my husband to go to the Dentist/Hospital?

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   peeplesposted 11 years ago

   At what point do I need to force my husband to go to the Dentist/Hospital?
   
   Once every couple of years he gets a bad tooth ache. He takes some antibiotics for a couple days, pain goes away, and he goes on with life. This time he has been on the antibiotic for 2 days. No change and this is not a typical tooth ache. He has radiating pain throughout his whole jaw, all of his teeth, and severe swelling in his lymph nodes (sp?). At what point do I pretty much force him to go get help? I'm worried like crazy and it's like talking to a brick wall because he hates doctors, needles, hospitals, and dentists.

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   ahorsebackposted 11 years ago

   I understand his actions because I was always like that too .  Still , the doctors office is the last place I  ever wanted to see !  It sounds like he has  an infection in his jaw, teeth or mouth or something worse !  Tell him how infections can destroy your heart tissues and even lead to premature death !  Call and make an appointment for him ,, some guys , like me , just need a real kick in the pants !

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      peeplesposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      He's told me I'm wasting my time if I do. This is his one bad trait. Stubborn as can be when it comes to this type of thing.

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   JThomp42posted 11 years ago

   peeples, his life is in danger. The swelling is infection that can spread throughout his body and kill him. For God's sake, tell him to do it for his children. This is very serious. People have died from the infection from a tooth.

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      peeplesposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I tried telling him people die from it and his response was "people die from driving" Scares the heck out of me and I know he's in pain and I can't do anything!

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      JThomp42posted 11 years agoin reply to this

      peeples I have known people to die from this. it turns into sepsis, infection all over the body. Sometimes it has gone too far to help.

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      xanzacowposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Tell him it would not be like dying suddenly in a car crash. It would be a slow and painful death. One that his loved ones would have to suffer through as well.

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      Mommy Maileposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      About 2 weeks ago a man in his 20's died from an infection in his tooth. He left behind a wife and 3 daughters. JT is so right about this being serious. I pray you can get him to quit being stubborn and just go.

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   lburmasterposted 11 years ago

   You need to find a dentist or doctor who will give him anxiety pills before he even goes to see them. It's what they had to give me when my four wisdom teeth were being taken out. I have a phobia of the dentist and am terrified of hospitals. Those pills take almost all of the anxiety away. At that point, he will feel some pain, but it won't matter to him. And take him right away!

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   fpherj48posted 11 years ago

   I am afraid I must agree 100% with JThomp.  He MUST get medical attention.  Further, peeples, it's extremely curious WHO  or what Dr. is simply writing him out an Rx......for this issue, without looking at his mouth?   No Dr. or Dentist would or should do this.   It's next to impossible to believe that any Medical Professional would allow him to repeatedly continue to take antibiotics, without further treatment and follow up.  It sounds very much like this is a deep and severe infection....and again, JThomp has explained that this poison is going through his entire system.
   Stubborn or not.....Your husband needs to use some common sense and do what is necessary.  Somehow, honey, you need to make him see that his refusal to see a Dr. is life-threatening...Surgery is probably the solution.  Pls keep us informed.  I am concerned.

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   Alastar Packerposted 11 years ago

   peeples your husband has a full blown-deep-seated abscess that is beyond the power of prescription antibiotics.to help. His life is literally on the line right now as the  massive infection can easily reach his heart and if that happens, well...you understand. If you can't get to a dentist quickly you must go to the emergency hospital. They can temporarily relieve the pain but the tooth or teeth will have to come out asap. This can be done nowadays painlessly with up-to-date numbing medicine. He probably won't even feel the injections. Show this to him and all the other replies peeples, his life truly hangs in the balance right now. Good luck and act immediately.

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      Alastar Packerposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      peeples let me add his blood is becoming systemic, in other words toxic. At this point until the tooth or teeth come out he'll probably need injectable antibiotics because speed is now essential- he needs to get out in front of this thing pronto.

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   peeplesposted 11 years ago

   Thanks everyone. I guess we were wrong and I did get him to the hospital. Turns out what we thought was an abscess was actually a form of trigeminal neuralgia, or at least they think that's what it is for now. They ruled out an abscess. After chest xrays, a CT scan, and a few other things they ruled out a good bit thankfully, but his pain seems to be some sort of misfire by his nerves. He has to go back for an MRI this afternoon, but thanks to a couple good prescriptions they gave him he is at least able to cope with the pain when the waves of it start. As of now he has to sleep sitting up because he keeps waking up in pain that makes him jump. Hoping for a good outcome. Thanks again!

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      JThomp42posted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Great news peeples!!

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      fpherj48posted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Thank Goodness!  My husband,  too!.  A few years ago, he ran 104 temp and turned a ghastly shade of yellow-green, I THREATENED to call his 3 brothers! Emergency surgery THAT day, a gall bladder full of poison, that could have burst & killed him.

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      peeplesposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Kind of wishing it was an abscess! Things are just getting worse and nothing seems to be making it better! Please keep him in your thoughts and or prayers!

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   JanMaklakposted 11 years ago

   If it is a matter of money many dentists will work at a reduced rate and work on a schedule of payments to get you in there office.  My dentist did not give one of my adult children as big of a break as I expected and when I threatened to pull my business things changed in a hurry. 
   
   Plaque has been linked to heart disease and having regular cleanings reduce the the likelihood of having plaque affect him that way. 
   
   Since it is such a struggle for you to get him to go why not book the appointment for  him and drive him there.  Tell him to get out of the car and lock the door.  He'll be forced to see the dentist then or get a cab ride and then call his lawyer. lol

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   ViolinByCourtneyposted 11 years ago

   If his lymph nodes are swollen, he has an infection. I bet he's already at the point where he really needs to see a doctor. I suppose you could try spinning it as a selfish request: "You have to go to the doctor because I can't survive without you." That usually works with my parents, both of whom put off medical care because they feel like they are being selfish by spending the money on themselves. After some pushing, I can eventually get through to them by making it sound like they are going for me rather than for themselves. Not knowing your husband, I have no idea if that approach would work with him, but it is worth a try.

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