sedatives

[mydogsandme]

take pity on me please, all you kind AB'ers. In a couple of weeks I have to go the the dentist and have FIVE teeth out...I'm going to a different practice where I can have it done under sedation, rather than lie and scream! I'm still bricking it though...has anyone had sedation for extractions? I won't be asleep but I get a needle in my arm to make me sleepy. I can't really imagine how I'll feel- in my mind you're either asleep under anesthetic or you're awake and it's going to take a while.

[andy-hughes]

I do understand how you feel.

I was so phobic about dentists I would faint with terror when the dentist bent over me, before he'd even done anything! i had to have tranquilisers to get me into the building - walking upstairs, into the surgery and sitting down were out of the question unless I was dope to the point of catatonia - but i have overcome this phobia now, I'm glad to say!

So - you will be concious, but you will be so drowsy, you really won;t care what they are doing - i know I;ve had this proceedure for an extraction.

Make sure the dentist you are seeing knows in advance how petrified you are. Phone in advance and ask if he has a radio which he can have on quietly in the background - the distraction helps. If not, ask if you can bring one in. Tell your dentist you'd like him to conduct the proceedure in silence, excfept for any instructions - some like to give a running comentary - you don't need that!

As soon as you sit down, close your eyes - the less you can see, the less you can worry, so keep your eyes closed throughout. It goes without saying that you take someone with you. When you get home, take some painkillers and go to bed to sleep off the medication - and hopefully this will minimise the proceedure you have to have.

Good luck!

[sammd]

Sedation is great...you fall asleep then you wake up and it's all done. Much better than laying there watching the dentist tugging at your teeth. Good luck!

[acorn]

I have to have that for everything I have done at the dentist - so yes heaping on the pity here!! Its my worst nightmare the dentist. Its called twilight sedation. The first time i ever had it done i thought no way is this gonna work - im going to be concious and yet not worried!! Are they mad!! But actually its the best thing ever ever ever!! You lie down like in the theatre at the hospital and they put a canular needle in the back of your hand - one small ouch and its in. Then before you know it they are asking you to sit up as the work is done - its fantabulistic!! im 41 and am like a quivering idiot everytime i go to the dentist - even if its for the kids and not me. I cant even clean my teeth without nearly gagging. So dont fret about it - honestly! Its a breeze. Its just not as deep a sleep as under a general but you will honestly 100% not remember or feel anything after the stuff is whoosed up your arm - glorious!! You need someone responsible with you who can drive (or check if they will allow a non driver who can call a taxi) and when you come out you will be a bit out of it but able to walk and talk. When you get home even if you feel fine, go to bed as you will find you sleep. Good luck - and dont worry - honest! :)

[jno]

I've also had total-sleep sedation as well as half-asleep whereby you're dreamily awake and everything passes by in what seems like a few moments; you feel no pain. Either is fine, but don't try driving home afterwards.

Like Andy, I found I overcame my nervousness, which I'd never imagined I would do - so you too may be able to some day. Good luck.

[Dreaming]

hi mydogs, I can totally sympathise with your fear of the dentists. I had 5 teeth once removed when I was a teenager and at that time, they used to put you to sleep.

Try taking Bach Rescue Remedy before you go. It may help calm you .

Andy and Jno, how did you get over your phobia. As I still have it.

[Dreaming]

Mydogs, I hope it all goes OK. Let us know. Good luck xx

[jno]

in my case... I don't know, I just decided one day I thought I could cope without total anaesthesia, so I tried it; and it worked. It was a relief because the business of getting someone to get me home was tiresome, so not needing it left me feeling more in control of my own fate, if you see what I mean. It's hard to say what I was scared of in the first place - it's not pain exactly, just a mixture of drilling, needles, open mouths, the whole thing.

[Dreaming]

Hi jno, I think my phobia went back years ago, when I was small and had a school dentist. Then as I got older, had a dentist who would fill or take out teeth whatever. My kids have no fear of the dentist as things have advanced so much. Thank goodness. But I still fear the dentist and am now in my mid 40's. Glad you got over your phobia. And thanks for replying.

[Dreaming]

oh, and my fear is, the thought that they will touch the nerve!. I tell you, I have had 4 babies and would rather give birth than visit dentist LOL. .....Got an appointment in 2 weeks too. I get white knuckles just when he is cleaning them! And my teeth are OK..........What a baby :(

[jno]

nothing babyish about it Dreaming - it's very widespread, as the answers on this thread show. Funny thing... after I'd given up having sedation, I had root canal treatment - and the injection didn't work. This hurt a lot, as you can imagine... and yet it was bearable. Mostly I suppose because I knew it would soon be over. I'd sort of imagined that being able to feel drilling on a nerve would be like being stabbed or hit by lightning or something, but it wasn't. It was more like what I'd imagine tattooing to be: you feel it, it hurts, but it's of limited duration, it doesn't kill you...

I'm not telling you this to turn your stomach - sorry if I've been too graphic - but to say that the fear is so often worse than the reality. I don't like being drilled but I can stand it. Overcoming your fears comes from within, and in my case it came without really trying. I don't know how Andy got over it, maybe a different way. But you're stronger than you think.

[mydogsandme]

thanks for all your kind and helpful comments- I feel less nervous about it now. I'm going to have to spend the summer with missing teeth before I can have a bridge fitted. I never used to be afraid of the dentist until I had some bad experiences later in life- I've found I get more nervous as I get older! I have a real problem lying with my mouth open and I have a really small mouth too. Last time I had a filling I must have been laying very tensely as when I got home my neck muscles stiffened up and I was in agony for two weeks and had to go sick from work- can't afford to do that every time! I'll let you all know how it goes...