dentist app looming :(

[lindajane1971]

hi all,
after a few days of pain I've managed to have the courage to get an emergency app with a dentist- and now the anxiety is kicking in!!!
i know I have to go, and I will go but I don't know how to cope with it, I had a bad experience where another dentist injected me in a vein in my mouth and. my heart went bonkers for about 10 mins and Ive been terrified of going ever since.
I'm guessing with the pain I have it's either a filling or extractio, it's at the top back of my mouth and I'm dreading it, as I will def need an injection!!

Any tips for coping??? it's so difficult to distract yourself when it's all going on!!!!!!

[pearl79]

good luck :) i had to have a filling yesterday, my anxiety was awful before then i came out half hour later thinking 'well that wasnt so bad!!' typical!!! haaa

[Wilkes]

That is exactly what happened to me about 4 years ago!!
I thought i was have a massive panic attack ended up with an appointment to see a specialist and he said the same, that i must have been injected in a vein, and that the adrenaline in the injection can do that!
But with my anxiety i didn't believe them and ended up paying out to have a skin prick test to see if i was allergic, but i wasn't.
i hope they pointed out to you that you can have the non adrenalin injection, so you will have no problems at all.
As for coping i take my iPod with me and listen to some self help walkthroughs as it is going on and then wonder what all the fuss was about when its over!!!

You'll be fine, just don't fear the fear!

[Breezay]

Tell your Dentist you're nervous & hopefully he/she will be able to talk you through each step to keep you feeling a bit calmer and in control.

I always talk too much and ask random questions.. That's my coping mechanism! Lol. I had some stitches removed from my ankle a few months back and I was so nervous, I told the nurse to just keep talking rubbish to me to stop me from thinking about it!

I'm sure it will all be fine. Just try to relax, it will all be over within 20 minutes or so xx

[lindajane1971]

What a day!!!!!!!
Explained when i went in i was not a good patient and had anxiety, was a very understanding female dentist, and for the most part gentile...........but she confirmed my fears, decay on my top wisdom tooth that was too awkward to try and fill so was given the option of removal there and then or go back another day if i wasnt up for it.
She said top ones had one small root usually and were easy to pull, Was in the chair so said take it now before i flee!!!! After 2 doses of anesthetic i was numbed up and ready to go......pity my tooth felt differently. took her 10 minutes to get the blooming thing out!!!!! Turns out my tooth had 3 large roots on it and not the one small one as predicted!!! She gave me a glucose sweet to give me a boost after it was over and slowly raised me up in small bits so i wasnt rushed.
Looking back at it now im amazed i got through it ok and actually when it was all happening i didnt feel anxious much, just went on a lot longer than it shouldve done.
At least the bugger is out now and i wont have to worry about it again!! Also i have no pain at all where the tooth was, just my jaw aches a bit if i open my mouth too far!
So im really proud of myself for that today :yahoo:

[Wilkes]

Well done x

[swgrl09]

I hate the dentist, I went five years without going because I was so afraid, so I get how you must have been feeling and good for you for going through with it. You must be so relieved that it's over now.