It's almost 3am now. have a root canal appt at 9am. patient instruction said no pain medication 12 hrs prior to appt. can't fall asleep with the pain. what should i do?

Contact your doctor: Pain is pain. Contact your doctor and ask if you can take a pain pill. Taking a pain pill before a root canal procedure is fine.

Take 2 advil (ibuprofen): Lack of sleep will be more detrimental than taking two advil (ibuprofen).

Take an ainflammator: Medications can mask the dr's diagnosis. Hoever you need to sleep. Take 4 advil (ibuprofen) and get some rest. This will not affect the diagnosis in the am.

Hummmm: There are no contraindications for taking pain meds prior to a root canal are you being sedated?

Pain: One of the primary concerns with taking nSaids is they can interfere with clotting. Tylenol does not. Most important that you get some sleep. Take 2 Tylenol now to help take the edge off (2, not 3 or more) and try a cold compress until the Tylenol takes hold. Try to sleep sitting up. Tell the General Dentist or Specialist Endodontist, when you get to the office, that you needed to take the meds.