Is long-term paracetamol use safe?

[Jane]

Hi there ,

I have had a toothache now for 2 months due to a hole in my tooth

and a few cavaties.I attended the emergency dentist a few times

over the past 6 months but couldn't go through with the treatment

due to being very anxious! In the end a emergency dental nurse

refered me over to a special dental clinic that deals with nervous

and anxious patients.I bravely went along 6 weeks ago and the

dentist and dental nurse were great.The dentist said on my next

appointment she was going to do a filling and even if I can't go

through with it on the day,she would clean my teeth instead.I left

the dental surgery feeling quite confident and happy that

everything would be fine! My next appointment was due on the

25th July and because of the floods we have had in

Gloucestershire it was cancelled due to no power etc.They rang

me and said they will be in touch in a couple weeks to renew my

appointment.I still haven't heard back from them yet and I'm still

suffering terrible toothache which is worst at night and always

around tea time.I am getting rather worried as I have been taking

2-4 Paracetmols,sometimes 6 for nearly 2 months now and I'm

wondering whether this is safe and if it's ok to carry on taking

them till I see my dentist! I also have Graves disease and worried

about the injection I will have for my upcoming filling.
Any help would be really appreciated regarding the Paracetmols

and injections.
Thank you
Jane

 

[Gordon]

Re: Injection and safety of Paracetmols

It's quite safe to take the paracetamol long term, so long as you don't exceed the maximum dose. Is there no way that the special needs clinic could squeeze you in for some temporary pain relief?

Don't worry about your Graves, it doesn't matter. Make sure that you have a snack with a reasonable amount of carbohydrate in it, your increased metabolic rate may make you feel a bit queasy mixed with the stress of the procedure.

 

[Jane]

Re: Injection and safety of Paracetmols

Thank you Gordon.
I have been getting so worked up and anxious thinking I'm overdosing on Paracetamols.I leave at least a 6 hour gap or longer in between the tablets.Also before my toothache starts I feel or hear like a creaking noise on the left side of my face before it starts also pressure when I am laying down.It always aches just before I go to sleep and then I'm up all night pacing around.Is it ok to use heat instead of cold on the side of my face...It sounds weird but when I eat or drink coffee it relieves it for a while.
Thank you again for your help

Jane