posted on December 23, 2006 11:05:51 AM
Geesh! This is embarassing, and, if I were not totally DESPERATE, I would never post this plea in a million years -- but I am...
If anybody is offended by this post, just PLEASE ignore it & put me on yer IGNORE list...
HERE GOES:
For the past 4 weeks, I have been suffering thru EXTREME dental pain...
I'm not sure how many teeth (3? 4?) are "BAD," but 3 weeks ago I went to a semi-retired dentist who did a root-canal on one tooth. Either he botched it, or he did the wrong tooth, I don't know...
All I know is that the pain get worse everyday, and I'm at the point now where I just want to put my head thru a wall...
I saw him TUES, but he was 2.5 hours behind (because he snuck in friends & his step-son ahead of me), and he tried to brush me off. Eventually, he saw me but did NOTHING -- no x-rays; didn't pull the plug in the tooth; NOTHING -- except yack-yack a bunch of BS and change my antibiotic to CLEOCIN, which is much worse on my stomach than the AUGMENTIN was...
...AND, I gave him my last $500 in the world.
Basically, I'm in a terrible bind.
After 4 weeks of this agony, I really can't take it anymore...I can't eat and I can't sleep -- I really can't take it anymore...
What I was hoping was that maybe, somehow, somebody here might know a CHURCH GROUP or VETERAN'S ORGANIZATION that would be willing to assist me with my DENTAL WOES...Or, maybe somebody here is a SECRET GAZILIOONAIRE who thinks me-N-Ralphie are just keeno-kewl...
I don't KNOW what do do anymore as I can't really think straight anymore...
Again, I apologize to anybody that this post offends -- PLEASE don't post a reply that I'm a schmuck for posting this, as I already know THAT, and I can't get very much more miserable than I already am...
THANKS!
Tom and Ralphie
SPECIAL APOLOGY to a SPECIAL FRIEND:
Again, I apologize for that email I sent you -- please FORGET it and FORGIVE it...
posted on December 23, 2006 12:16:52 PM
oh tom what rotten luck you've been having! I feel for you as I hate dentists worst than anything.
I don't think there's any secret millionaires over here but maybe if we all chip in something to your PP account? Would that help?
Can you try calling the rescue mission(s) there and asking if they could recommend someone? I know you're not homeless but those people would have resources that you don't have right now - namely a good reasonable dentist.
"The Trinity Rescue Mission offers shelter, transitional housing, meal service, counseling and chapel services. The shelter has 95 beds. Breakfast is served from 4:15 to 5:00 a.m., and dinner is served at 7:30 p.m. 7 days a week. The Trinity Rescue Mission also offers other programs for life skills, medical help, counseling and case management. "
After 4 weeks of this, I can bearly think straight anymore.
I KNOW this post is tacky and inappropriate, but, like I say, I've become desperate lately, and I first have to finish with this joker.
The biggest obstacle is that although my pension is not enough to really cover my rent and utilities, it's too big to qualify me for any kind of assistance...
I was just hoping that somebody here might be a member of a GROUP that would like to help out...
posted on December 23, 2006 12:35:24 PM
Oh Tom!!! I FEEL SO BADLY FOR YOU ... i have low tolerance for pain, and i hope to God I am never in your situation!!! ... did the dentist at LEAST give you something strong for the pain????
... and i WISH i was a gazillionaire, cuz then i could help you!!! ...
Can you post your mailing address here or would you prefer PayPal? A check would avoid PayPal fees but I would understand your hesitation to post your address. And of course mail won't run until Tuesday so there's that delay.
THANKS! I've called the VA a number of times. The law was changed in 2003 and benefits have been severely curtailed...
My local VA won't even make an appointment with me to discuss DENTAL benefits because I don't have a service-connected disability. Vets who got onto VA med/dental benefits BEFORE 2003 are grandfathered in, but, unless one has a service-connected disability, they don't wanna hear it...
Which I can understand as there are so many kids coming back from IRAQ with severe injuries and VA funds are limited...
posted on December 23, 2006 12:52:33 PM
Some Indian (Native America) tribal health centers offer emergency dental help to children. It might be worth checking to see if any offer help for seniors or vets.
posted on December 23, 2006 01:01:54 PM
Have you tried the emergency room at your nearest hospital. They have to help you even if you have no means of paying and they can probably help ease your pain and find you a dentist who will work on your teeth and set up a payment plan.
Hope this helps.
Pain from teeth that need root canals is excruciating. The last time I needed one, I couldn't get into the dentist quick enough, and had to suffer for a few weeks. I did find that there is some over-the-counter stuff that you can use temporarily to help numb the pain. I think it's called something like orajel... it's not a permanent fix... but for about $20 or less, you'll at least be able to eat a little something here and there.
As for the larger problem... check and see if there are any dental colleges in your area. They can often perform work as part of classwork experience at far reduced (or sometimes even free) rates.
I hope that helps, and my sympathies are with you during this holiday season. It's not a good time for a toothache!
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posted on December 23, 2006 01:41:18 PM
I'll be emailing you shortly.
Sorry you are feeling so bad. Nothing worse than problems with your teeth. Emergency room sounds good. Hope they can help you with the pain.
posted on December 23, 2006 01:43:40 PM
That emergency room idea will set you back about $1800.00!!!!!!!! I Know i did that one....WOW!!!!!!!!! the Bill was SHOCKING!!!! I have a service connected thing so the Gov. kicked in and I only had to pay $180.00 wheeeeeeeee......Go to the V.A. the Gov. WILL yank teeth.....but that's ALL they will do....
and Oh, they won't help you find a dentist either,,,,yer out the door on your own,,,,and OH, what was the $1800.00 for?? A penicllin shot after WAITING 4 HOURS in that waiting room.....My face was the size of a football and the PAIN!!!!!!!!!!! OH the PAIN!!!!! then the BILL!!!!!!!
I'm trying to hold off until TUESDAY when I see him again -- AGAIN I will (for about the 5th time) insist that he STOP THE PAIN...
The CLEOCIN tamps the pain...
My USUAL pain medication is PERCOCET 10/325 which I'm susposed to take 5/day, but with the added TOOTH MISERY, I'm exceeding that and scared that my liver is gonna fall out...
posted on December 23, 2006 02:32:55 PM
Tom, So sorry for your pain! I second the suggestion to try a dental school if there is one in your area. Long ago when I was a very poor graduate student (living on $75 a month) I needed dental work badly. I went to the a dental college and got excellent care. I became a student's semester project.
That doctor needs to give you some help. Is there anyone you can report him to? I really hope you can find a solution soon.
-----o----o----o----o----o----o----o----o
“The illiterate of the future will be the person ignorant of the use of the camera as well as of the pen.”
Maholy-Nagy, Vision in Motion, 1947
posted on December 23, 2006 02:47:33 PM
The dental school is a good idea,I know folks who go there for teeth cleaning and cavities,the professor will go around and look at their work and grade them.
But first of all,what is the real problem,did he operate on the wrong tooth or is it the right tooth but badly operated on??
The OTC stuff may not be good enough for you,but worth a try.Have you tried ice cubes??
Have you considered a second opinion,just a visit would not be costly??
posted on December 23, 2006 02:49:44 PM
These suggestions are good but everything is shut down until Tuesday and even then who knows if he can get an appt. He needs to go to emergency, IMHO but Tom you do what you think is best
posted on December 23, 2006 02:58:44 PM
"I think it's called something like orajel... it's not a permanent fix... but for about $20 or less, you'll at least be able to eat a little something here and there."
Tom-for the pain-I had a bad tooth a couple of years ago while on vacation.I wanted to wait until I got home before going to the dentist.
I went to the local drug store and got some "orajel max".It got rid of the pain almost instantly and for quite awhile there was no pain at all-good stuff.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
If you dont want to hear the truth....dont ask the question.
posted on December 23, 2006 02:59:42 PM
Do you think Salvation army may give you some idea what to do?or your local congressman or senator?
They have lots of information on where to get help.
posted on December 23, 2006 03:03:07 PM
Most hospitals have programs for those who cannot afford to pay. I'm fortunate to have the Cleveland Clinic and MetroGeneral near me. Both have programs. Tom, you need emergency help now. An infection in your mouth can travel to the brain and to the heart. It's nothing to mess around with. Get to the emergency room.
posted on December 23, 2006 03:41:40 PM
Tom, the group that I worked with before had an emergency fund for things like this. I just need to find a vet group in your area. I am sure this kind of thing is nationwide. Can anyone find a Vet support group or a vet group in his area? That's what I am trying to find
[ edited by paloma91 on Dec 23, 2006 03:50 PM ]
posted on December 23, 2006 03:44:39 PM
I would go to the Emergency Room. At this point you will have to just have the teeth pulled. I need one pulled myself but I am waiting until after the first of the year so I don't have to pay the deductible on my dental insurance twice as I think I need more than one tooth pulled. I think with the root canal they only do one nerve at a time and you have 4 in some teeth. I was never able to wait that long because of the pain I was going through. They can put some kind of filling in your teeth to stop the pain until they get to the root canal but it doesn't last that long.
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Two men sit behind bars,one sees mud the other sees stars.
posted on December 23, 2006 04:09:58 PM
The I.M. Salzbacher Dental Center
505 N Main St
Jacksonville, FL 32202
(904) 355-6100
If they're not there after hours, see if you can get a referral to their emergency services through the Salvation Army. My prayers are with you and Ralphie
posted on December 23, 2006 04:35:29 PM
My husband has never read an eBay Outlook post but he has seen the pictures of Ralphie when I am online. He was really upset when I told him what was happening with you. Keep us up to date and let us know if there is anything we can do to help.
Wishing you all the best.
-----o----o----o----o----o----o----o----o
“The illiterate of the future will be the person ignorant of the use of the camera as well as of the pen.”
Maholy-Nagy, Vision in Motion, 1947
posted on December 23, 2006 04:43:13 PM
And Oh,,,,,,I had a root canal done once,,,,Civilian dentist.... It was a night mare...and $800.00!!!!!!!! Two weeks later I woke up in the middle of the night with the TOOTH floating in my mouth!!!!!!! NEVER again....Yank em'.
I guess it works for most people but It was a WASTE of $800.00 in my case......
