I just found out a couple of weeks ago that i need a root canal. There are two ways to go about this..one the root canal and two have it pulled. I decided to get the root canal but now I'm having second thoughts. Everyone keeps telling me it hurts and now I'm starting to believe them. I am so afraid. I have to go back to the dentist in 2 weeks. I'm afraid of the pain during the procedure and after and I'm wondering how long it will take to recover!

NUmber one - go to an endodontist not your general dentist for this procedure. Number two - it doesn't hurt because they numb you six ways to Sunday. Number three - you will be sore and it probably will hurt to chew on that side for several weeks until the tooth and the surrounding tissues settle down. This is normal. I had one done on a molar that had extra roots and the procedure itself was fine. But I was sore afterwards. And it took 2 or 3 weeks before I could chew on that side.

I had a root canal done today. I was very tweaked because of a bad experience a few weeks ago when the bracket broke and cut my throat. I was so scared about going back I was awake almost all night. However, it went very well. The doctor tied dental floss on the bracket that goes over the tooth so if it broke I was hanging on to it. I had novacaine and the first injection hurt, after that I felt NOTHING. I have a temporary on. I have no pain, no swelling. Actually I feel better because prior to the root canal I had a tooth ache. I do need to go back and have the edge filed down a bit as I am not biting down squarely.
The biggest reason I suggest having a root canal is if you have the tooth pulled, your other teeth will shift and mess up your bite. If it is a bottom tooth, the top tooth needs to bite down on something or eventually the top tooth will lower too. I know this first hand. Many years ago I had a bridge that was loose. The dentist I had at the time kept saying it wasn't. Well, wrong it was and bacteria got underneath and I had to have one tooth pulled. There was nothing to anchor the tooth too for another bridge and I didn't like the idea of an implant. I wear a retainer every night to help keep the upper molar intact and my teeth in line.
It really does help to have the dentist (and you do want a specialist) to show you what they do so you won't be so afraid. Believe me I am a big chicken, I never got over a dentist that used to hit my sister and me when we were little.

A root canal should not be a painful procedure if done by someone who is experienced. This could be a general dentist who performs lots of root canals, but otherwise - a good endodontist. There is no reason that it should be painful. The only times that it could be uncomfortable is if the root canal is done while the tooth is actively inflamed (antibiotics could help with this first if this is the case). I would definately try to save any tooth possible without heroics.