The Decision

[trinityvixen]

Wow, making a post about teeth gets more replies than posts about the state of the union or world in general.

Okay, people have basically argued equally for both sides. My feeling is that I will be less likely to be groggy and out of it if I go for the local. Cons of local, as Daz pointed out, can include not getting enough to numb you. This has happened to me before. I once had both rows of bottom canines fully exposed before my mom conceeded, "Huh, maybe they're not just going to fall out if you keep wiggling the babies." When they extracted, full roots were attached to both teeth, and I both heard and felt the one tooth's root breaking in my jaw. It was painful at a moment, but mostly it was just pressure, so I think I have very minimal chances of not being mostly sedated by the local in the right spots. Rest assured, however, I plan on demanding more if there's pain, especially if I'm paying for this.

Speaking of payment, that seems like it will be the biggest con of the general. Also, as much as I might use the ol imagination to spook myself silly about what's going to be done to me, there's a good part of me that would rather I be conscious for it and not just wake up with holes in my head. I think I'd rather know what happens, to be honest, even if a general is one big happy "night night!" ride. Also, I'm generally impossible to get out of bed when I'm tired, so God forbid I get high on the general and sleep Thursday through.

So, I think I'll go for the local, as I've had no bad experience (or, at least, no bad experience bad enough to make me opposed to it). A lot of people say I'll be out of commission because of the painkillers. I'm hoping this isn't true. One, I feel bad enough taking a full day off when I was honestly trying to get them done on a Friday afternoon so that I would miss minimal work during grant season. Another day off would really hurt my boss, and I need to save up the paid days off anyway. Two, if I felt that it would have been that important, I would have rescheduled and gone next Friday.

But, speaking of painkillers, I have a new question: does anyone think the drugs will keep me from giving blood? I went ahead and made an appointment for next Thursday. I know if you're on a prescription they apply different rules, but the one for regular pain-killers (as I've memorized by this point) is for a three-day abstinence prior to donation. That means starting Monday 7:30 pm, I can't have any. I also need to wait three days after a tooth-extraction according to the Blood Center's criteria, but there doesn't seem to be anything more specific about pain killers. Another question: how long do I *need* the painkillers? Do I need the heavy stuff for longer than a couple of days? How long were the rest of the folks who responded's need for the speed?

Comments

[teneda.livejournal.com]

I'd call them to ask for specifics about donating. Just to make sure you dont waste your time.

As for how long you may need drugs, it varies with the person. My father and I have a big tolerance for pain, (not to mention we heal fast) so when he had root canals or I had my crown put in, we didn't need all of the pills that they prescribed. My mom, however, used up the remainder of both our scripts (all told, a 2 week supply) and then had to use lots of advil for a couple of days before she felt 100%.

[wellgull.livejournal.com]

Um, another thing to consider about the blood donation is actual blood loss from the surgery. I dunno the state of your mouth, but for me they had to dig well into the gums as the roots were already starting to wrap around the jawbone, and I think I must've lost a fair amount of blood judging from the changes in my skin tone (I gog extremely white[r] when I bleed).

Basically wisdom tooth extraction is not like normal tooth extraction; it is [or can be] a full-blown surgery like other routine-but-serious surgeries...

[fairest.livejournal.com]

I can only suggest playing it by ear; only you will know how long you'll need the medication for pain, and this may depend on the efficiency of the surgery itself, the state of your gums, etc

That said, with a five-day gap, you don't need to dismiss the idea out of hand. You'll probably want the heavy painkillers at least through Saturday, but after that it could be all right. All the same, I'd recommend just letting it go this time and being sure to donate next opportunity.

Blood donation

[slackwench.livejournal.com]

It probably depends what they give you. If they just give you high dosage ibuprofin or acetominaphen (seems unlikely), then you're probably good to go with the stuff on the Blood Center's page. But they'll probably give you codeine or something, which is pretty nasty stuff and heavily controlled, so you should probably call the Center and see what they say.

As for how long you'll need them, I agree with Ken that it varies. My dad had them out a couple years ago (he was in his mid 50's) and had to take them for a long time, but it's supposed to be easier when you're younger (one reason to have it done ASAP). This is because when you're young, your wisdom teeth aren't fully formed and rooted into the jaw, but they take root as you age.

And wellgull is right: it's not like a regular tooth extraction. A dentist can do that as standard procedure, and they would never consider giving you total anasthesia for that. For this, you need an oral surgeon. So again, you should probably call the blood center to ask about it. They might consider this to be surgery, which (at least at the blood centers I've been to) is listed separately and has a much longer waiting period before you can donate again.