[HALLIEBETH87]

I have a lot of anxiety about most things. I take BuSpar 4x daily to manage it and it really helps but I fear it may not be enough on the 18th. I am having my wisdom teeth removed and although I know the oral surgeon I've chosen is very good, I'm still scared. I will be put to sleep, which is really good for me. But, I am a chronic worrier about EVERYTHING and I am really nervous about being put to sleep and everything about oral surgery. What can I possibly do to stay calm on the ride there, waiting room time and walking back to have the procedure. I do not want to have a panic in front of everyone. I have considered calling them and discussing my overall anxiety:

-asking them what I can do to calm
-discussing what to expect when I get there and getting anesthesia
-what the staff can do to help me to stay calm and if they will let them know how anxious I get

Gah. What can I do? I know I will be anxious regardless but I really want to control it.

[Der_Sohn_des_Leides]

Hi halliebeth,

It's pretty normal to have anxiety before any kind of surgery, so I'm sure if you let them know that you're feeling anxious, and that you have general issues with anxiety, they'll accomodate you as best as possible.

I've never had buspar before, so I'm not sure how it affects you... If necessary, you can talk to your Pdoc about getting a benzo like valium or xanax to take before the procedure.

I had my wisdom teeth pulled last december, and I understand how scary it can be. The best advice I have is just to be present with yourself and focus on your breathing. I meditate to help manage my anxiety and it works well for me. You don't necessarily have to achieve nirvana to calm yourself down though! Slowing down your breathing helps a lot.

And by the way, my teeth were HORRIBLY impacted and I went to a dental school to have mine removed, and it was all okay in the end. Don't worry yourself too much, I'm sure you'll be fine! ^__^

Take care,



J

[CedarS]

Calling them beforehand is a great idea!

This site http://www.dentalfearcentral.org/ is great also, lots of good ideas and a forum.

[BalishBun]

As far as how to calm before surgery, that i don't know. I didn't handle very well before mine (well how could i, it was a catheter ablation on my heart!) The night before I couldnt even sleep in my bed the anxiety was so bad so i was on the couch. Finally it was surgery day, and i was in pre-op and originally i thought they were going to do a twilight anastesia (not sure of spelling), but then as soon as they told me they were going to put my fully under i burst out into tears and was a basket case. they gave me some stuff in my iv to calm me down and wooooooooooa i went from unconsolable to ....... heeeey how you doin?!?! So unfort I wasnt able to calm myself.

[HALLIEBETH87]

mine are horribly impacted as well. so the thought of what they do in that situation is less than comforting....yuck.

im secretly hoping if they realize how anxious im capable of getting they might do the anxiety med early on. idk though. i am guessing they do an iv for general anesthesia. thats nerve racking too.

why do we get these da-gone teeth anyway?

[(JD)]

I agree about letting them know you have great anxiety. Try using breathing exercises, and also some sort of an item that you can use to remind you to calm yourself... such as a worry stone or marble....roll it in your hand and speak calming words to yourself, then when you need to go that day for surgery, you will already have trained your brain about calming when you begin to roll or rub the item...

[HALLIEBETH87]

like a small stone?

[splitimage]

I find doing deep breathing exercises really calms me down. I also have a small stuffed dog that I keep in my purse. If I start really freaking out, just holding him and concentrating on how soft he feels helps me become calm.

Good luck with your surgery.

---splitimage

[HALLIEBETH87]

i called and talked to the lady at the office and she made me feel a lot better. and of course she took my name.....so i'm guessing now they'll know im a nervous wreck.

[nightbird]

Hallie,

You can also ask your Md. to prescribe one calming valium or zanax to take an hour before.
Just don't forget to pick it up at the pharmacy.

Overall, it's a clear go - get there, breathe for relaxation, listen to music that calms you, if you like, and Trust everything will be okay once you are in the oral surgeons office.

They know you are apprehensive, so, they will be gentle with you, and guide you through everything.

Before you know it, it's will be over ... and pretty soon you will be on to milk shakes of all flavors, and other soft food delights.

When you get nervous, think on those things - the excuse you have to drink those fabulous, tasty, delicious ice cream shakes and all manners of smoothies you can make!

Yeah, overall, the outcome will be pretty good.

love and calm,
nightbird


<font color="#000088"> </font>

[army_wife]

I just had my wisdom teeth taken out and if you have bad anxiety its better to be put to sleep. My doctor told me that oral surgery is on the top of the anxiety list so its normal to be nervous. Over all I was happy I did the surgery. good luck