Dry Socket

I had my "impacted" wisdom tooth (lower right) pulled over one week ago. Almost immediately, from the very start of the extraction process I knew that there will be problems. Long story short... I am having a dry socket and I have been back to the dentist twice now. They gave me narcotic painkiller (hydrocodone) and penicillin. I hate the way I feel after taking hydrocodone, but I do need it in order to be able to sleep at night.
How long is dry socket usually last? When will the intensity of the pain start to diminish?
The dentist also put some type of paste into it, but it only lasted one day...it somehow came off after 12 hours.
I need to go back to the dentist again, with my very tight schedule and wallet, I can not keep this on forever.
What can I do (beside rinsing and keeping it clean) to help the healing process?. How to make the pain go away?
Half of my face is still swollen and I sometimes like someone choking me because my lymph nodes (neck) are also swollen. Please help....

[scottma]

Prevention and treatment of dry socket may be best managed by insertion of collagen product in the socket and primary wound closure with proper suture. Systemic administration of appropriate antibiotics is extremely helpful.IMO, clindamycin and metronidazole is highly effective for dry socket. Going back to your dentist to have a post-op evaluation and management is advised.