Quote:
Originally posted by spacemanspiffmm
Hey doc, I just joined TFP (for the titty forum, i admit) as a diversion while waiting for my wisdom teeth extraction to heal. The dentist took them out on Friday morning, and it's now Sunday morning and my cheeks are swollen worse than they were on Friday. I'm still taking the extra-strength Vicodin I was given every 4 hours for the pain.
I'm an intern at a Manhattan newspaper and really need to go into work tomorrow. Do you think it's a good idea? Is there anything I can do to control the swelling/pain today so that I can get to work tomorrow?
Also, a second random question has to do with dental-issue narcotics and I'll understand if you won't want to answer them.
A friend of mine who works at a popular coffee-shop chain pilfers boxes of nitrous oxide cartridges. One evening I tried it with him (he stole one of those steel things you fill with cream and froth it up with the nitrous to make whipped cream) by inhaling the nitrous out of the nozzle of the thingy. It was a lot of fun - pretty identical to the feeling you get in the dentist's chair. I don't feel a physical or psychological need to do it again, but I think I'd indulge if there was an easy opportunity to in the future. Is nitrous addictive? Are there any negative effects of abuse?
Thanks for your help! I think it's really incredible that you're taking the time to help everyone out in this way.
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Hey Spaceman, welcome to TFP. It's a pretty cool place as I'm figuring out.
Sorry my answer is late but you shouldn't worry about the swelling & pain. It's absolutely normal for the worst swelling to be present 2 days after the surgery. Don't worry about taking the Vicodin if you need to but obviously don't drive while on it. I hope you got to work and that the swelling & pain is on it's way down now.
I honestly don't know the conditions under which you're taking the nitrous but I'll tell you the important points for us in gving it to patients.
1) DO NOT ever give 100% nitrous. We always mix it up with at least 50% oxygen. If you're taking a small squirt I doubt it's a problem but know that oxygen is VERY important if inhaling it.
2) DO NOT give on a full stomach since it causes nausea in lots of folks.
3) DO NOT give to alkies so if you drink alot and take nitrous, say sayanara to your liver.
Don't take it if you have pernicious anemia (you'd know if you have this). In general, YES it is addictive and long term it causes liver & kidney, neurological and bone marrow damage. Worth it? I dunno...
Good luck with the internship. NY Times editor in your future??