I broke a tooth and I hate the scary dentist. They force your teeth open and stick things in your mouth and you can't spit until he says I can and I have to spit. I have to.

And then he will say you have to have your wisdom teeth out. And they're gonna knock me out and it will be like the electric chair. Then what will happen? I will die probably.

I don't want to go.

[kimmydawn]

((((((((((((((((((((petunia))))))))))))))))))))))))

can you speak with the dentist or dr about sedating meds before you even go to the visit. can you have t call and explain that you're a survivor and have special needs?

please check into those things.

kd

[h0kie]

Oh Miss Petunia, I am with you. I am postively terrified of the dentist. Do you have sedation dentists in your area? I've convinced myself this is what I am going to do. You take a pill and they do all the dental work while you sleep.

As for the wisdom teeth, piece of cake. I had it done several years ago. The gave me the knock out juice, I said, "Is the room spinning, or is that just me." The nurse said, "It's just you." And the next thing I knew, I was done.

They know what medicines to give you and as long as you take them, you will feel little to no pain. I was a half hour late taking a pill for swelling and I ended up looking like a chipmunk. It will be ok.

Being scared is ok. Let us know how it goes. Thinking of you. ((((((((((Petunia))))))))))

[Monty_girl]

(((((((((((((((((((((((( Petunia ))))))))))))))))))))))))))

I understand how scary this is for you. Your tooth can start to really hurt if ya don't get it fixed. Hey ya know I had a wisdom tooth out last year. I was really really scared when they knocked me out. But ya know what? They let me hold a stuffie the whole time. I held my stuffie when I went to sleep and I was still holding my stuffie when I woke up. And it was Ok. You won't die. It will be Ok.
Gumby_gal Monty

((((((((((((Petunia)))))))))))))

The dentist is really scary for me too. But I talked to my dentist about it and he was really helpful. we agreed a signal to tell him I need him to stop (I just put my hand up) and then if I need to spit I can. He also has me take some valium or temazepam before the appt so I am not feeling so scared.

There are places on the web where you can find dentists who are good with phobic or nervous patients. You can find links to them here The What fear site also has some really good tips including a letter you can write to your dentist. There's also a site called Beyond Fear which has a great support forum which I have used - the people there all suffer from dental phobia and are really supportive. They helped me get to the stage where I can go and see my dentist - which I couldn't do for a while.

YOu can do this, Petunia. I do know how scary it is, but there is help for you. pm me if you want to.

Caroline

I used to have problems associated with going to the dentist. When my dentist and I talked it turned out they were also having a problem with treating me.

On my end I went into panic and anxiety before during and after the appointments. so much so that I would make the appointments and then the day of the appointment I would have an excuse for cancelling the appointment. Finally my therapist said she would take me over to the dentist office, wait for me at the nearest department store and then come pick me up. I still didn't want to go but my lack of bus money excuse was gone and any other excuse I could come up with my therapist would come up with a solution so ultimately it was off to the dentist for many appointments. Becuase I hadn't been in well over a year I had to do the update paperwork. One day my therapist was sitting with me and she noticed I left the question of - other problems that could create dental problems blank. She pointed out the question and told me my panic and anxiety would fit there. So I wrote down sexual abuse survivor. then I was called in and sat it the chair. My dentist saw those words, came around the front of the chair and took extra time explaining the equipment and what she was going to do with each item and during the exam and proceedures from then on out she always took the extra time to tell me every step of the way what was happening. She even allowed time for breaks during the procedures so that I could close my mouth for relaxing my jaw and reinforcing the idea that I was in control of my mouth being open and what went in and so on.

Shortly after this I found out that they were reluctant to treat me because my panic and anxiety during the procedures could cause serious damage. I was constantly flinching, unexpectedly pulling away or forwards in gag reflexes and so on. They were also having another problem medicating me. a normal filling would require my being given more than one numbing shot. In fact sometimes I had needed up to five shots for one - one hour procedure They were constantly trying to adjust the dosage so that I wouldn't feel the pain and I wouldn't end up overdosed

Finally one day my dentist and I were talking before a root canal and she explained the medication problem, and asked if there were any other physical or mental problems that I was being treated for. So I told her that I had cancer, cerebral pasy, kidney disease, Dissociative Identity Disorder ... She stopped me right there and asked "do you remember everything from beginning to end of every appointment?" I know I turned red and said no. She could tell I was embarrased and told me she had a sister with DID and now that she knows I have it she now has the answer to the medication problem.

I was starting out in the chair recieving the first shot. then somewhere along the way the procedures were triggering me into other memory pieces. Since I was not in that memory piece when I got the shot it was like my never recieving it at all which made for the violent reactions of pulling away during the procedures. Since my visits usually end up with my having five shots its safe to assume I ended up into five different memory pieces. My dentist no longer worrys about over medicating me because only that memory piece that got the shot would feel the effects. Now when I require another shot my dentist takes the time to explain where I am and what is happening and gives me the normal dosage shot.

Coming out of the shots is quite comical I am told by a friend who knows I am DID. She can be driving talking to me after an appointment and within 15 minutes of picking me up I am no longer frozen because the first shot had been given an hour and a half ago so has wore off, then suddenly I start talking like I am frozen again (I am in a memory state that recieved the second shot) and the procedure goes on through each memory piece that got triggered and recieved a shot. The funny part of all this is that if I don't get triggered into a memroy state that recieved the shot for days then when I am in that memory state days later I am talking like I have just seen the dentist. For example I go to the dentist. Something triggers me into the angry memory piece named Margo. While in that state I recieve a shot then nothing makes me feel mad or angry for days and suddenly five days later I get ticked off and end up in the memory piece Margo. The last new information stored as a part of this memory Margo is recieving a shot so thats what I am experiencing five days later.

Anyway the point is by my telling my dentist how I was feeling and what was going on, she was able to take steps that made me more comfortable and more safe during my appointments. Please talk to your dentist he/she may be able to help you through this.

[Gemstone]

{{{{Petunia}}}}}}

The dentist is scary for me too. I'm sorry you have to go.

The wisdom teeth weren't bad to get out. You can get a local if you would prefer. I know I was really scared about getting "knocked out". I had the local and it was like nothing. It was done in no time.

I still don't want to go.

(((((((((Petunia)))))))))))

I know.

But you need to go and make your teeth OK again otherwise they will hurt lots.

Imagine me in there with you if it helps. I know how scary it can be.

(((((((((((Petunia))))))))))

Caroline

[shadowdancer]

((((((((((((petunia))))))))))))

i definitely agree with everyone else about telling your dentist. you won't die, they will probably take very careful care of a flower as trembly as you.

i know you don't want to go and it is scary all around but do you have a stuffie you can bring like monty does? that might help lots. or can you plan to do something just special for you right after the appt. like go somewhere you love or do something you rarely get to do?

the dentist can be a scary place but you will be okay, you can do it. i am always here if you want to talk, ok? and i'm sending you lots of hugs and courage to help you get through your appt.

(((((((((((petunia)))))))))))

-shadow

I don't need teeth anyway. I don't even have a nose.

[dottie]

Hello!

When I see my dentist..he not only gives me novacaine but gases me too. I never feel a thing. That is...until the shots wear off...then It's hitting the ice bag for me.

I am in the process of getting dentures as my meds have taken such a toll on my teeth.

Good luck.

~Dottie

Thanks Dottie, (and everyone who responded)

I'm not afraid of the pain...it's the needles and the thing over my mouth that scares me. My brothers died from using needles and I'm afraid of not being able to breathe due to a childhood trauma regarding suffocation. My little one is afraid of being killed.

I did it.

I called the stupid dentist/murderer.

I hate him.

Petunia

[h0kie]

((((((((((Petunia))))))))))

(((((((((((Petunia))))))))))))

Were you able to explain to him that you were terrified and why?

I'm sorry you had such a bad experience.

C

[dragonskin]

Petunia,

I'm sorry you're scared. {{{{{{{DragonHugs}}}}}}} I am scared of the dentist too.

-DragonSkin

(((((((Petunia)))))))
what happened sweetie??? you ok???
w_i

[Zorah]

(((((Petunia)))))
The nest will be there with you, we'll stay til it's over.

[shadowdancer]

the shadowdancer will be there with you too. between me and the nest and caroline's group it will be quite a crowded room...there may not even be room for the dentist.

(((((((((((petunia)))))))))))) he is not going to murder you and you are NOT going to die. i know that needles are really scary but hopefully when you talk to the doc about it he will understand and go very slowly and patiently and help you understand what's going on. it's not going to be an easy time but it is necessary.

i am always here if you need to talk.

-shadow

[Gemstone]

{{{{Petunia}}}}

Good luck at the dentists tomorrow. Imagine all of us there with you.