So...

[london1967]

... what do Marilyn Monroe, Robert Mapplethorpe and london1967 have in common?
Well (according to Wikipedia for the first two, and to my dentist for the last one) they all suffer(ed) from 'Acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis' aka 'trench mouth'!

It's my second bout in 2 and half years, and it's not fun at all.
I almost begged my GP for antibiotics on Monday but she didn't budge and despite explaining that I had it before, she just said that it was gingivitis and that the cure was a deep cleanse of my gums. 
The dentist laughed when I told him that, because he said that I do a pretty good job of keeping my teeth clean; plus having your gums cleaned is the last thing one wants when even flossing is extremely painful.

It's frustrating to be treated as a child by your doctor (although she's not the one I normally see). Next time I'm in Italy, I'll try and buy some antibiotics over the counter to keep in stock, just in case.

I guess I'm also slightly concerned that I had ANUG again. It seems that a weakened immune system is the trigger.

Comments

[bobalone.livejournal.com]

Sorry to hear about this, Franco; I imagine that it is painful. I hope you can clear it up before it worsens.

[london1967.livejournal.com]

Thank you, Bob!

[isledemoi.livejournal.com]

So how do you treat it without antibiotics?

[london1967.livejournal.com]

I don't know, it may clear up eventually.

[lebeautemps.livejournal.com]

I know a little about what you are feeling.

If you are desperate, go to the medicentre in Victoria station. You tell the GP what you have, and that you've had it before, and that antibiotics are effective and they are generally grown up about it. Tell them your dentist advised the visit. You pay about £70 for the consult and then drugs on top at the Boots across the way.

I keep a stash at home of the things I use, I get mine from legitimate pharma sites online to avoid the risk of GP lottery. Worth stocking up in Italy if you can- how marvellous to be able to buy these things over the counter!

Other helpful things:

A gel that will give you instant relief on contact so allows you to eat more confortably - ORAJEL max strength, 20% benzocaine I think. It's available without a prescription in most chemists, but I think the Penge Boots is a little small for that. Ignore bonjella. It's the first product that my dentist would discontinue if he could.

SLS-free toothpaste (like Pronamel or Retardex (£££)) and alcohol-free mouthwash (Plax do pink one) could also help you recover faster/fortify your mouth against further flares.

Hope you feel better soon.

[london1967.livejournal.com]

Thanks very much for all the suggestions! Much appreciated.

I wasn't aware of the problems caused by toothpaste with SLS.

Well getting antibiotics in Italy over the counter is sometimes possible in some pharmacies if you are a regular customer and they are happy to bend the rules a little bit...

[saintcahier.livejournal.com]

Ugh. It seems that getting proper healthcare those days is an uphill struggle on every country, unless you are a millionnaire.

[london1967.livejournal.com]

Very true!

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

Hope it clears up for you soon!

[london1967.livejournal.com]

Thanks very much!

[tilia-tomentosa.livejournal.com]

Ouch!

*hugs*

[london1967.livejournal.com]

Hugs back!