I've never had a good dentist experience. That is probably why I've let my teeth get so bad. I've had dentists put fillings in wrong (that caused ALOT of pain), put in fillings I didn't need, knock out fillings and not replace them, etc. I've never worked at a place that offered decent dental benefits, so the cost is prohibitive. My recent experience has only solidified my hate of dentists. Not only will I end up spending the cost of two mac minis by the time this is over (to get out only one of the teeth I need out), but the dentist office is annoying the hell out of me as well.

All they did when I was at the office a week and a half ago was take the x-ray (which doesn't even use film anymore—totally computerized) and send me to the ER. I got a bill in the mail for $96. I wish I could get $96 for 15 minutes of work. The doctor at the ER was kind of mad that I had been sent to see him. He asked why I wasn't just prescribed antibiotics and sent home. The stupid dentist told me I was going to die if I didn't go. What would you do? Of course, they didn't have any problems charging me, also. That'll probably be another $600 or so. Let's not forget that I've already spent over $150 on medicine and $166 as a down-payment for the ER bill.

So, tomorrow is the appointment to actually get the tooth out. The stupid office calls like every two days to verify the appointment. I'm not stupid. I want the tooth out. I wrote it down. I'll be there. You'll get paid. Quit calling me and waking me up (since I work nights) just to verify an appointment. This will definitely be the last visit to this dentist office.

So, does anybody have a decent dentist that they go to? How about a decent low-cost dental plan?

So, I made the huge mistake of taking the meds this morning on an empty stomach. Mixed with the fact that there was no bottled water at work this morning and being a little pissed about not all the dough being done while I was out the two days, it was a big mistake. I ended up hurling. Fun. It really ate up my insides and don't feel like doing that anytime soon again. I need to take them again because my face hurts like hell, but I haven't eaten yet and we're supposedly going to McDonald's for dinner, but Mike isn't here yet and I'm starving...WAH!

Man, I really did it this time. I have really bad teeth due to things like too much carbonated soda and not enough good dental hygiene. Lack of dental insurance and making just enough money to barely cover my other bills are other reasons. I’ve also had some bad experiences with dentists that were nothing more than respectable thieves. Anyway, I had a tooth that cracked ages ago. Like the rest of my teeth, I did my best to ignore the pain until it became absolutely necessary to have it out. Well, this time I waited too long. My face swelled up like a balloon from the absess. When my state tax refund came in yesterday, I made an appointment with the dentist. He took a look at how bad the infection was and sent me straight to the emergency room. I didn’t want to go there as I still have outstanding bills from slicing my thumb open last May. When the dentist insisted and remarked that the infection was so bad that I could die, I went.

By the time the doctor saw me, the infection was so bad that my left eye was almost closed. They put me on an IV antibiotic and some Percocet for the pain. As with most pain meds, I started hallucinating spiders. Ick. Since I hadn’t slept much in the last 36 hours, I was immediately out like a light. I woke up a couple of hours later. I guess I had tried to bend the arm that the needle was in and it woke me up. Since it was like another hour before they finally let me check out, I went ahead and drove myself home. I'm still driving on expired plates and didn't want to leave it in the hospital parking lot for fear of it being towed. Of course, the car didn't want to start in the parking lot.

Marcus took me to get the medicine when he got home from work. The antibiotic itself cost $145. The doctor explained that he could give me something cheaper, but it might not work and I'd end up spending that much to see a doctor again. I also got a generic form of Percocet ($12). The down-payment on the ER bill was $166. So, State tax refund is gone and I still have to pay to have the tooth out. Oh, and I'm going to get a yeast infection to boot, too. I always do when I take antibiotics.

The good news is that I’m not working today or tomorrow. That’s one of the reasons I’ve got time to post stuff today. I’m torn about going to class tonight, though. I should really stay home, yet we’re coming up on final project time and I really need the information that is given out today. If I do go, I can’t take the pain meds because I won’t be able to drive, so I will have to take ibuprofin and I’m not sure that will dull the pain enough to get me through. *sigh*

I really hope I get this job that I interviewed for. After three months, they offer medical benefits (not dental, though). I'll also have more money coming in, though, so hopefully I can get some kind of dental insurance on my own and get my teeth problems solved for good. I've been dealing with these problems for over 15 years (since one dentist knocked out a filling when he pulled a wisdom tooth and wouldn't replace it). I would be nice to go a day without some kind of tooth pain.

Current mood: sick

I'M SO TIRED OF BEING SICK!

Current mood: sick
Just in case anyone actually comes here and wonders where I've been, I've got some sort of viral URI. I got bitten by a spider or something on Dec. 23rd, resulting in a major allergy attack. By Christmas Day, my arm was swollen up to twice its normal size and the bite was starting to blister. I guess my lowered immune system let in the virus. I starting coughing Christmas night, figuring it was just allergies, but by the day after Christmas, full blown infection. By yesterday afternoon, full blown sick. I even called in sick to work today (can't wait to see the repurcussions from my boss on that). So, if I'm not around for awhile, I'll be in bed.