because infections that are getting worse on more than 48 hours of an antibiotic need to be knocked down ASAP. Obviously the bugs that are causing this abscess are eating that clindmycin for lunch and laughing about it.

I don't know why, but toothaches always happened to me in the wee hours and always on weekends. At least the OP can be grateful it happened a week before Xmas.

I agree that the ER is her only choice now. I, at least, was able to decide that on my own and get myself to the ER, messed up as I was.

The thing I noticed about antibiotics when they attack you, they stop helping the original problem and it does not get any better at that point. Also, most rejections I've endured involved the inability to eat and digest food on top of it all. I don't weigh much so when I get sick I lose pounds in a hurry and get into danger zones in my general health when I can't eat. I have a checklist for when to go to the ER.