posted on May 23, 2001 07:54:59 PM new
A few months ago I decided that it was about time for me to go to the dentist. Being that I am near 40 years and had never been to the dentist. I was terrified, and I mean literrally. But I came up with all the courage I could muster and went. Well the dentist decides I need a few teeth pulled, some filings, and a deep cleaning. My first appointment I was a nervous wreck. Nearly in tears. And like a little kid wanting to run out of the place and never look back. I got thru it. And came home and threw up for a hour over it. It would have been nice if someone had been there for some support. Anyways I have been back a few more times since then. And have gotten thru it. But today was bad. I go there and the dentist is sticking needles everywhere inside my mouth. I was shaking so bad, I thought it was my nervousness. The hygentist told me that was the novacine causing it. Anyways I got thru it once again by myself. And I am not thru yet. I don't know how much more I can take of this dentist stuff. I mean this makes me a wreck. Does anyone have any suggestions on how I can get a better grip on this?
[ edited by sideslam on May 23, 2001 07:57 PM ]
posted on May 23, 2001 08:00:56 PM new
The novacaine caused you to shake? That doesnt sound right. Have you thought about going to a dentist that does twilight sleep? Or one that will just knock you out? That way, they can do what they want and you wont know it. For someone as nervous and scared as you are, thats what i would recommend. And with your dentist knowing how upset you get, to where you throw up and get the shakes, I highly recommend to dump that guy and get a new one that is alittle more compassionate, fast.
posted on May 23, 2001 08:02:19 PM new
I can relate. I go to a dentist that uses general anesthetic. I go to sleep, he does his work, I wake up, I feel fine! This way he can also do all the work at once, you won't be fretting several trips back.
posted on May 23, 2001 08:09:13 PM newsideslam, You are not alone. Dentists terrify me.
Honest truth, here I am, six foot something Aussie bloke, and I can go to water over a dentist. Even taking plenty of "happy pills" will not ease my aprehension. I'm working up a cold sweat just typing this.
The last time I needed anything major done, I opted for a general anasthetic and a day in hospital. At least that way the evil Dr. Death could do everything in one go while I was obliviously out to it! I simply could not stand the thought of repeated trips.
Crocs, white pointers and snakes I can handle. Dentists are yet to be conquered.
I can offer you sympathy and support, but the cure is beyond my mettle.
Bob, Downunder but never down.
posted on May 23, 2001 08:16:07 PM new
First, congratulations on getting up the courage to go to the dentist - that's a big step in itself. ( I know because I had an awful dentist as a child and wouldn't go back to any dentist for eight years. Then I went to one recommended by a friend. He was great - he always waited for the Novocaine to take effect and explained every procedure before he started.)
When I had my wisdom teeth removed, I was knocked out. I was a little nauseous afterwards, but I don't think I could have done it otherwise. I think a good dentist should be able to make a person feel at ease - if yours can't do that, maybe you should find another one. I calm down by telling myself that even if a procedure takes an hour,that's no time in the grand scheme of things - it'll all be finished shortly and I'll be out of there.
posted on May 23, 2001 08:22:25 PM new
I can understand your fears. Maybe you can see a doctor for some tranquilizers or ask the dentist if he can give you some nitros oxide or liquid valium. I've had a lot of drugs in my life, legal and illegal, and out of all of them none created such a relaxed and sedate feeling as nitros oxide. A few breaths of that and the dentist could pull out a jackhammer and you'd probably just grin and comment on how neat it looks.
posted on May 23, 2001 08:33:41 PM new
I can't be sure, but I'd think that what caused the shakes was adrenaline - our dentist injects us with adrenaline around the same time as the pain killers. For me it works fine, I don't even notice, but on my husband it gives him the shakes - so much so that they will not use it on him anymore.
Also, and I know you just got up the nerve to go to this dentist....get a new one! There are tons of dentists who specialize in nervous patients and *tons* of things they can do to make it all go easier for you! Just one thing that ours does - she prescribes Valium to patients who are extra extra nervous, just to help them calm down. Try that 1-800-Dentist - one of the things you can specifically ask for is dentists who specialize in treating nervous patients (and it IS an art), then talk to the dental practice and ask lots of questions about how *they* are going to make it comfortable for *you*.
posted on May 23, 2001 08:35:36 PM newsideslam - actually, the hygienist was right. Most contain adrenaline. Next time,ask for freezing WITHOUT adrenaline. You'll notice a big differnce!
posted on May 23, 2001 08:38:31 PM newsideslam-I have been very fortunate not to need a lot of dental work, but I have had enough to know that part of the dread is the sound! I am not able to tolerate the deadners or gas dentist use, so I have a dentist that put me on to music! Yep, it works great. Some have it available upon request, but I just take my cassette player and headphones with me and pop in the music I like and concentrate on the music and ignore what's going on in my mouth! The music keeps you from hearing all that noise which sounds horrible due to the nearness to your ear! Believe it or not I have even had my teeth drilled without a problem.
I also have a friend who takes a mild tranquilizer, prescribed by her dentist, before she goes in. She says it works like a charm. She feels just good enough to not care or worry about what's going on in her mouth.
posted on May 23, 2001 08:42:20 PM new
There is something in the Novocaine that slows bleeding. "eppie -something" they also give it to you in labor.
I am allergic to it and is sounds like you are too. When they first started adding it many years ago I started crying in a chair (I have no dentist fear) and then completely flipped out, and I mean FLIPPED OUT. I was screaming.
Did not have it again until my first baby 10 or more years later and had the same result - I was so hysterical, a string of nurses went to lunch and never came back. I was NUTS. Next baby no - epp-whatever and I was angelic.
I bet this is the problem.
Otherwise, my husband has anxiety at the dentist and just lets them know and they dope him with the gas and he gets by, but it really sounds like the additive that is the problem. VeryModern Space Junk
posted on May 23, 2001 09:04:30 PM new
Yes, VeryModern, I react to it too. I believe it's ephedrine and it is used to control bleeding. Let the dentist know that it makes you feel bad and there is something else they can give you. Also, you can "tolerate" the stuff, and out of the blue have a very bad reaction, which is what happened to me. I thought I was going to die, my heart was pounding, and I couldn't breathe. They had to give me oxygen. They had to call my husband to come pick me up because I couldn't drive home.
The dentist said this ephedrine was the same stuff they give people who have allergic reactions, say to bee stings etc.
posted on May 23, 2001 09:12:39 PM new
What it is, is epinephrine VM. That's what adrenaline is. Yes, it gives you the shakes & makes you feel like your heart is racing (in some people).
posted on May 23, 2001 10:05:50 PM new
A good dentist who realizes your problems will probably give you nitrous oxide and you won't feel any pain. My dentist let me control it myself so that I did not have to go completely under, just enough to feel nothing.
posted on May 24, 2001 03:43:08 AM new
Yeah my straight as an arrow no drugs wife had gas once at the dentist and came home and said "We have to get a tank of that stuff."
Though a lot of us who have dental fears have them because of the "Dewey Yankem & Ow" type dentists we had as kids, your situation is different, and you've shown a lot of courage.
I get the shakes also, and so when getting a local, the dentist uses something different. If your dentist knows you get the shakes and doesn't change what s/he's using, you might want to search around for a new dentist.
I know I'll probably get slammed here, but sometimes younger is better in a dentist. Most of the decent dentists I've had have been 40 or younger. I guess the difference is the training in chairside manner and the attitude on pain.
You've taken such a big step here - it would be sad to think one careless or thoughtless dentist coul set you back again.
When I was coming back from a long period away from dentists (because of a sadist with a DDS after his name), I lucked into a darling dentist who prescribed valium for me to take before each appointment - as long as I promised to take a cab or have someone drive me.
Good dentists are out there. I hope you have a friend or relative who can refer you to one who appreciates your fears and can turn this into a positive experience.
posted on May 24, 2001 06:02:44 AM new
Look for another dentist. It doesn't have to be that way.
I once bit a dentist (not hard)just by reflex, who stuck a cleaning tool in my gums. He told me to not come back until I was ready to behave.
Then I found the most wonderful dentist, who really understood that some people have sensitive mouths, or are just scared of dental work. He gave me gas and numbed my gums before he used the needles. And he would always check to be sure I was completely numb before he started, in addition to constantly checking and reassuring me. Needless to say, I have sent lots of new clients his way, he's a wonderful, caring person.
Check with your friends and find someone who will treat you like a person instead of just a mouth.
posted on May 24, 2001 06:23:25 AM new
I had a really great one before he moved who could give shots with you hardly knowing it.
There maybe something to that looking into a younger one who may be more likely to give pain medications. I noticed also that the great one I had, did a lot of children's work. Obviously trained to prevent pain and fear of the dentist.
Look for ones that advertise "comfort techniques", "nitrous oxide","we welcome children", and we even have one that says "we cater to cowards".
Good luck in your search but do definitely search. I'm a coward too (or low pain threshold!) and I can tell you there are some good ones out there.
posted on May 24, 2001 07:36:58 AM new
You have no idea how relieved I am to see this thread. This may be long but I just have to post.
About two years ago, I went to the dentist for the first time in 15 years. A broken tooth that started to zing me made me put aside the fear and go. I was petrified, totally petrified but nothing is worse than the pain.
While I was there, he took x-rays and found that I had several cavities. That day I had the bad tooth pulled and wanted to get this over with asap, so I made an appointment for two days later to have a couple of teeth filled.
After that, my next appointment was about five days later and I had two more fillings done. Then I was finished. I was thrilled.
About two days after my last appointment, I was sitting in my living room and out of nowhere I felt like my heart was pounding. I coudl feel my pulse throughout my entire body and it scared me terribly. It went away after a couple of minutes but started to happen perhaps once an hour.
I went to a local walk in clinic (I didn't have an internist then) and explained the situation. I mentoined that I had had a ton of dental work done in a short period of time but they blew that off. The doctor there told me that he thought I had "issues that I may or may not wish to tell" him about. I was appalled. He gave me Serzone, some kind of anti-depressant which I refused to take.
I called the dentist and asked about mercury in the fillings. I thought it might be mercury poisoning. He didn't think that was it but offered no suggestions as to what it could be.
I had no medical coverage at the time so I just figured I'd wait it out. For four months (!) I was listless, tired, unable to sit upright at the computer and would have these bouts of palpitations. I started drinking calming teas and the like to no avail.
Finally, after all those months, I finally, slowly regained my strength and was back to normal. I still have no idea what it was but after reading this thread, I think it could well have been the tons of novocaine that I received over that 10 day period of time.
posted on May 24, 2001 08:10:33 AM new
novacaine does contain ephedrine which will make some people very nervous and will make you puke in large amounts.
This will wear off within a day though.
Tell your dentist about these effects on you.
