Root Canal....EXTREME pain! Pleae Help!

[bmc1976]

I had a root canal done last Friday (6/12/09). It still hurt really bad on Tuesday (6/16) so I went back to the dentist. He said there was still fluid in there so it had to be redone. I had it redone Thursday (6/18). I left the office around 3 pm. By 6 pm that evening I was in extreme pain. I mean very extreme pain! It hurt so bad I was sick to my stomach and had the shakes. The pain isn't just the tooth that the root canal was done on but my whole bottom right jaw is whats getting me. It hurts from my chin to the back of my jaw and up to my ear also giving me a headache and partially down the right hand side of my throat. I've had back surgery and have been burned and I think this root canal pain might rate as the worst pain. I called my dentist at home and he told me to meet him at his office asap. I got there around 7 pm. He thought that there was a infection below the tooth as he had cleaned the tooth out really well earlier. He also mention that the jaw bone itself could be infected but has only seen this on other time in over 25 years. He wrote me a different script of antibiotics called Augmentin. He said to take one every 12 hours. He also wrote a script for oxycodone 5/325 since the 7.5 mg hydrocodone didn't do anything for the pain. He said to call back in the morning and let him know how I'm doing. I got the scripts filled and took 2 off the pain killers. It did absolutely nothing for the pain. By now it was 10 pm. It got to the point it was so painful my wife took me to the ER. I usually have a high tolerance for pain but this has been unreal. The er gave me a liquid antibiotic and pain medication via IV and it still did not do hardly anything for the pain. IT might have helped a tinge. They gave me a ct scan and drew blood to check my white cells for infection. The ct scan and blood test both came back negative for having a infection. It was my first root canal and I expected to have some pain afterwards but it is so painful I can't handle it. If my shotgun was loaded, it would cross my mind! (Not really, just trying to explain how terrible it is. So I guess my questions are.............
What could be causing it to be this extremely painful?
Where do I go from here?
What do I ask my dentist?
It did hurt between the 2 root canals but was bearable. Now, after he went down farther with the files it's horrific pain. Could he have caused some damage to some other nerves?
Should I try and give it a few more days and see if the pain subsides?
Should I have the tooth pulled and get a bridge?
Should I have him refer me to a endonist? The thing is I already paid this guy over $1000 and don't want to have to pay it again but will if necessary.
This being my first root canal I just have no idea on what to do! There is no way I can go much longer living with this pain. I haven't slept a wink because it just hurts to bad. I've taken the oxycodone, 800mg ibuprofin, antibiotic, and even took a ambien and still can't sleep.  Everything I read seems to point towards infection but the ct scan and blood work ruled that out.
Could he have damaged other nerves?
I'd love to hear some answers and appreciate any advice. I know root canals can be painful at times but from what I have read and from talking to my Dad, Mom, and one of my sister, it should not be this painful.
Please help me!!! Thank you all in advance for any help and sorry for such the long post! I'm just hurting and confused about all of this from all the research I did on the net.
Thanks again!
Brian

[lynn117]

go to the endo if that doesnt help go to a neurologist! i dont have a clue what could be causing your pain but it is not normal. some mild pain might occur after a root canal enough to warrant a couple advil and a nap not the horrible pain you are describing. even the typical failed root canal wouldnt cause that kind of pain. good luck and keep us posted!

[dewkelly215]

I had a root canal on Monday and I have yet to go back to get it filled but I've experienced severe pain since the anesthetics wore off. My dentist has said there's no infection and I'm on painkillers which ease the pain for about an hour then wear off. I have trouble sleeping too. I really don't know what to do. I hope by now you have found a solution to your problem. If you have, please share. I'm sorry I cannot give you any advice, as I am in the same boat. But I really hope you feel better.

[Tamaran]

Gravity boots or yoga are better than a chiropracter for putting your spine back inline if thats the problem.  An aspirin sized amount of calcium powder rubbed on the gums will provide very rapid pain control.  Too much at one time will give you headache.  Rinse mouth with warm water with teaspoon salt in it or clean seawater if you can get it.  Oregano tea either cold or hot can take of infection.  Oregano oil is also available.  Chose this before taking antibiotics.  Place a teaspoon of virgin coconut oil in mouth and swish it around as long as possible also good for dental problems, called oil pulling