How in the world did she know..............

[mrmpa]

I stopped in a BP mini market this morning. I walked up to the counter, a young woman was working. I didn't even open my mouth and she said "you're in a lot of pain, it's your tooth, the one that you had root canaled." All of this was said in a heavy Polish accent. She added, "your pain pills aren't going to help."

I stop in this store occasionally, there is a mix of young people that work there, but this is the first time I've met her.

She was absolutely right about the tooth ache and which one is bothering me. She is also right that my ultram and vicodin aren't helping with the pain.

I asked her how she made that observation, she said my face is a little swollen on the left side. (I can't see any swelling). I asked her if she was going to school here in the states. She said, she had gone to college in Poland, she was getting ready for her citizenship and then she wants to be a veterinarian.

With her observation skills, she should be successful.

But how the hell did she know about the root canal and the pain pills?

[In_The_Wind]

1. Good guess or she was reading your mind.

[hamsterjill]

2. Failed root canal?

I don't know how she knew the details of your situation. That's kind of eery!!

But if you're having pain AFTER a root canal, I hope you're in contact with your dentist. Root canals can and do fail (voice of experience here) and the pain needs to be addressed.

I had a bad (and unusual) situation after a root canal one time. My dentist was booked and put me off for a day. Within 24 hours, I was in dire straits. Not trying to alarm you because, as I said, my situation was unusual.

Just hope you're taking care of any lingering issues! All the best to you.

[mrmpa]

5. The root canal is about...........

15 years old. So I'm a bit astounded.

[hamsterjill]

7. I don't think that's all that uncommon unfortunately.

If I remember right, my root canal had been done about 8 years before it failed.

As I said, mine was a bit unusual. I've also had two more root canals since the failed one, without (knocking on wood) any issues thus far.

Are you on antibiotics now?

[mrmpa]

8. No I am not...............

I have no health insurance or dental. A local pharmacy has a free antiobiotic program, but I have to see a dentist or doctor to get the prescription.

However, my doctor's office has been extremely kind and if I call the office manager, I might be able to get the prescription.

[Myrina]

3. If she's studied dental/medicine, I'm sure she's aware of general symptom causation ...

... and chances are, your eyeballs were dilated which would indicate pain pills.

If you weren't on any at the time, again, common awareness of medicine would lead her to guess that you've got some kind of meds, as is common after an invasive procedure.

It's all about paying attention. Something not many Americans do anymore.

[mrmpa]

6. While she was talking to me..........

I learned that she had had the experience of a tooth ache and lived with the pain for 3 weeks before going to the dentist. She said the dentist didn't understand how she had lived through the pain.

[rug]

4. Don't tell her you're sick. She'll want to put you to sleep.

[Art_from_Ark]

9. Elementary, my dear Watson...

[Bertha Venation]

10. Wow.

How's the pain now? Have you been back to the dentist?

[mrmpa]

11. the root canal was done..........

about 15 years ago. Haven't been to the dentist in 3 years. Pain is not as bad, my upper teeth are beginning to bother me, I think I am grinding my teeth at night, because when I bring my upper teeth to align with the bottom and press down I can feel the pain worsen.

[Bertha Venation]

12. Dammit!

All I can do is keep you in my thoughts, and I will. I'm a firm believer in good vibes, and they're on their way to you.

[mrmpa]

13. many thanks.....eom

[Nye Bevan]

14. We all know. You are like Jim Carrey in "The Truman Show".

Oops, probably shouldn't have given it away.....