The thought will not go away...

[Jet Stratus]

I'll be honest...I'm sitting here shaking, on the verge of tears. I am so frustrated I can't think straight. On Tuesday I willed myself into the dentist to get some teeth fixed. I had pain in one tooth that was so unbearable there was no other choice but to go in. I had a root canal and filling. The tooth is not painful any more.

I like my dentist and have had a lot of work done (had a sweet tooth) since 2008. Straight to the point: I'm a hypochondriac with a morbid fear of HIV. Everything in the office is super clean and he's even taken the time to discuss with me the precautions they take. But I cannot stop the "what ifs". Sometimes I can, but I have to try so hard. WHY am I still so afraid? I've discussed it with my psychiatrist, my dentist, my family...but it's always in the back of my head.

I think I know what brought this particular phobia on. In 2006 idle gossip at my work pointed to an employee POSSIBLY having HIV. I freaked out so badly I had a test done, and waiting for the results traumatized me. 10 days! They came back negative but from then on I've been so afraid of being an any situation (even ones where the risk of getting infected is non-existent) where I'll have to go through that again.

So right now, do I think I'm infected? Yes/No. That's what's frustrating as hell. After all the reassurance (and FACTS...with the exception of the one isolated case in Florida in 1991 no one's ever been infected at the dentist!) I am still having the thoughts.

I guess I just need to hear from someone who's experiencing health anxiety. Do you ever feel totally frustrated that you just can't seem to accept when people tell you that you're fine? Any advice for coping with this episode? Thanks in advance. :hugs:

[randomworry]

hi jet stratus the thoughts will ease when you stop trying to fight them away. the more your try not to think about something the more you think about it.

[Going home]

Hi Jet Stratus,

Dentists have to be ultra careful for their own safety too, after all they are dealing with the blood of alot of people every day and will never risk infection forthemselves or their patients. They also have access to medical records and if any of their patients are HIV positive they would have to know about it. Its more than their job's worth to risk cross-contamination.

Hope this helps
Anna xxx

[Neen]

Hey

I am a specialist Dental Nurse and will be working inthe maxilofacial department as of Monday coming!! But prior to that I was a specialist working in the com
unity/ clinic. 9 out of 10 of my patients were HIV. There is NOTHING to fear, I promise! I've been doing this job 10 years! Had 3 HIV tests ( only because silly me was rushing and ended up with a needlstick injury)

Goinghome is right! We have to be so careful! We have rules, guidelines, meetings, courses, inspections from the local primary care trusts! The list goes on - it's endless. I know for a fact when doing a root canal filling now - the guideline is to use single use files! In other words you cannot use them endo files on any other person, they must be thrown away. The only thing that would have been damaging to yourself from your dentist trip - would have been the lighter pocket you came out with after treat
ent! My sister lives in Canada and is paying for x2 children having Orthodontic TX!

Please I can hand on my heart assure you, we take every procaution to prevent ourselves and our patients being infected via cross infection/contamination. I wish you peace, God bless

Nina xx