Dentist appointment tomorrow

[jothenurse]

I have been reading posts on this forum regarding dentists and I am very frightened about having to go to the dentist tomorrow. Before I had my panic disorder problems come back, I always had trouble at the dentist. Lots of anxiety. When the dentist would be doing work on my teeth (filling, root canal, etc.) I always had a lot of tachycardia. My heart would just pound. It was awful, but I just put up with it. Just figured it was my panic. Usually when I just have to get my teeth cleaned, I don't like it, but it isn't as bad. I was supposed to have 3 teeth filled last January, but I have cancelled it a couple of times, putting it off, because I am afraid of the pounding heart. I get the pounding heart with my anxiety, so it is not just the dentist. Now after I have read some posts about the anesthetic some dentists use that can cause tachycardia, I am terrified about going tomorrow. I really need to get these fillings because I have put it off for so long. Can anybody help?

[jothenurse]

Anyone?

[Vixxy]

I've never had a pounding heart caused by the anaesthetic. I've read that there is a small dose of adrenaline in the injection to help it work. Now, if you think about it. The amount of adrenaline that our body has on a day to day basis, will be far greater than that of the injection. So you really shouldn't notice it.
Of course there are people that will get a racing heart from the injection, but this could be due to a number of things, such as fear.
My advice would be to go along to the dentist and explain your problems. Tell him you do not want any work done today, but would like to talk to him about how you can have treatment done.
Most dentists will have met many people with a fear of their line of work, so they should be well placed to give you advice and some help.

[blueangel]

Hi Jo

Not sure whether you'll be online before your appointment. I think what people are talking about with local anaesthetics is whether or not they have adrenaline in them. From what I understand, over here in the UK, a lot of dental anaesthetics have adrenaline added to them as it helps limit the spread of the anaesthetic effect to a smaller area. There are adrenaline-free versions, but you end up with a larger area being numbed. If these versions are available in the US, you could try asking for one of these instead.

Having said that though, I used to have loads of problems with the dentist and have never had problems with the local anaesthetic, so I don't know how much effect the adrenaline actually has when it's injected into a tissue, rather than going into your bloodstream.

Hope this helps.

[jothenurse]

Thanks for your replies. I am very scared, but I will ask him about the injections. I have had lots of dental work done before and I usually do get a pounding heart, but I always figure it is from my intense anxiety/panic about going to the dentist. Part of my anxiety/panic now is dealing with tachycardia. Months ago I was at the ER a couple of times with a pounding heart and my EKG's always showed sinus tachycardia (fast beat due to panic attack). Because I always have had a pounding heart at the dentist, I guess going there is now even more anxiety producing. But I need the work done. I'll talk to the dentist about the injection. My appointment is in about an hour and I am really scared.

[Alabasterlyn]

I'm sure the injection without the adrenaline will help you a lot. I am pretty sure the one without is available all over, not just here in the UK.

I've been seeing an Endodontist, who is a root canal specialist, recently and before she started the treatment I asked for the adrenaline free injections as the appointments were for 2hrs at a time and there was no way I could sit there for that length of time with extreme anxiety. She was actually reluctant to use the adrenaline free injection as she said it wouldn't last as long, be as effective etc., but I insisted on it. I have to say the injections lasted for the whole of the appointment and I'm glad I insisted on having them.

Good luck with your appointment :)

[jothenurse]

I did make myself go and I made it through it (3 fillings). I did speak to my dentist about the injection with the epinephrine and he said yes, that some people are sensitive to them. So, he used the injection without the epinephrine. My heart still was pounding because I was afraid, but I must admit it didn't pound as much as it used to, so maybe there is something to the epinephrine. He told he he has had patients get an adrenaline rush, even though it is only a small amount, but that it does happen. I did feel a little spacey/faint, but I was so tensed up, I wonder if that was more from the anxiety than the injection. I was told that one of my teeth had several cracks in it and that I needed to get a crown as soon as possible. (one of the teeth he was filling). I'm going to wait on that for awhile though.

[blueangel]

Well done for getting through it Jo!

[jothenurse]

Thanks.

[paulst]

Well done Jo, it took courage to go but you did it.:yesyes: