[Ipod1]

I feel so embarrassed and crappy right now. I've been having teeth problems for a year or so but un bearable pain for about two months and have been putting off the dentist because I have so much anxiety about it. After looking up you can die from a toothache I started freaking out even more. So I went to the dentist to get checked out. I need 3 root canals and a few fillings. No big deal right? Wrong!! I go in today at 9 after calling the dentist last night on his emergency line to get me in. He called me in some Vicodin so I took some of those. I was going to take a Xanax before I went in to get some work done this morning but couldn't because it isn't the smartest to mix Vicodin and Xanax. Any ways I get there and have a huge panic attack and as they were starting to numb my mouth I had to get up and leave. I'm in a lose lose situation. I have another appt in 3 hours so I'm just gonna take a Xanax and hope I don't have an attack :/. Any advice quickly?

[healed84]

I have the same kind of anxiety about work that I need to get down.. I hope you were able to get through with the appointment. I will need oral surgery probably this spring, and hoping that a mixture of meds and thearpy will help me through the surgery.. I showed up for it once before and left b/c of a panic attack.

[Silent_tsol]

I always get nitrous oxide if I'm getting a cavity or anything that would lead to a needle at the dentist. It's more money but in my opinion worth it. I think you already had your appointment so I hope it went ok. You can always tell the dentist "I did to become very anxious at the dentist and would it be ok to take my xanax before this procedure" If they say no ask them for a suggestion - my dentist is amazing to work with that way

[Ipod1]

Well I just typed a big reply but it got deleted lol. But as soon as they numbed my mouth I got up to get some water because I was panicking and I fainted which is somewhat common :/. After that I cooled down a little bit and was able to get through the procedure. I need two more root canals. The drilling in my mouth doesn't bother me. It's just the numbing that makes me panic so bad.

[BrokenNBeautiful]

How are you now?

Are you okay?

I have been going thru a LOT of dental work and undergoing this because I have put off the dentist for years at a time.

Get ready to faint again LOL: Nine root canals and four extractions in 2 years!

And it still is healing. You can read my profile and my posts under Health Care and I am also trying to start an online support group for dentis phobia.

I have no answers, just that we can get thru this.

We can.

Billi

[Ipod1]

There should be a topic for dental phobias cause its a pretty common thing. I'm decent right now. I go back Tuesday for a filling on my front tooth. I think I'm gonna be okay this time cause I'm used to them numbing the top of my lip now. Im really scared about the next one though it'll be my bottom with two root canals so I'm really freaking out about having the bottomed numbed since I never have. I heard you feel like you can't swallow so I'm really scared about it. Sigh

[kindachaotic]

Ipod1, really hate dental work here too!!

Just wanted to tell you, in my experience, being numbed for dental work on bottom teeth has never rendered me unable to swallow.
Two root canals & 5 fillings on bottom teeth & no problems swallowing. This work was done by 4 different dentist & still no problems.

To feel better about this call or have someone call your dentist office & discuss your concerns with him/her. I panic too, have to take Ativan to get thru but have survived. My hunch is you'll be fine though.

Best wishes.

[Landance]

A teeth cleaning is bad enough but getting root canals and fillings when anxious sounds pretty miserable. I take music to the dentist to keep my mind off of what is going on. Take your Ipod .

Also, it could help to tell the dentist before hand that you are nervous, though I assume in your case the dentist is already well aware. The Nitrous Oxide could also be helpful.

Good Luck!

[Ipod1]

Yeah I do tell them I'm anxious but i don't think they really understand that I have terrible anxiety and panic attacks regularly. So they just treat me like another nervous patient ya know? No body enjoys the dentist but for me, since I panic it's terrifying.

[kindachaotic]

My dentist takes me very serious, he has a copy of my med list.

He prescribes Ativan to take 30 min before procedure & it really helps.
Maybe you could ask your dentist for something in benzo family.
I do understand how panicked you are.

Take care.

[Ipod1]

Originally Posted by kindachaotic

My dentist takes me very serious, he has a copy of my med list.

He prescribes Ativan to take 30 min before procedure & it really helps.
Maybe you could ask your dentist for something in benzo family.
I do understand how panicked you are.

Take care.

I do take Xanax but I think I need to kick the dose up a little bit as its not as effective as when I first started taking them. I wish us all the best of luck!

[TipiMocs]

Yeah, for many, dental visits can cause paralyzing fear, and panic attacks. Had a root canal last summer after talking a benzo to get through the door. But, have not been back yet to get the crown put on top of the "cement" like temporary cap. Good luck with your next dental work.

[Ipod1]

Gotta go back in the morning for Just a filling. But still anxious about it. Ugh I wish I just didn't worry about irrational crap everyday all day

[kindachaotic]

On the ativan I did have to go from .5mg to 1mg & that helped.

Wish you the best for tomorrow.

Oh, it's today now...

[with or without you]

I'm sorry you are having problems. I have to go to the dentist a lot, including a terrific morning 3 years ago when I had 6 crowns done at one time. (I was in the chair for 4 hours). I close my eyes the entire time, and try not to have any caffeine the day of the appointment so that the experience feels like a little "nap". That's all I got, I'm sorry.