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What to do when bad experience is with IV Sedation?

Camisa

Camisa

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 27, 2009
Messages
209
Location
USA
So I'm not new here but I keep sitting around in absolute terror to have my IV sedation because the last time I had it, almost a month ago, was a very very BAD experience.
I was tripped out on the IV drugs, having a bad trip, they did nothing to relax me but I did get knocked out unconscious, and when I woke up, i was severely nauseous, disoriented, dizzy, confused, shaking....and the dentist kept calling me a liar, basically.

They did say my eyes were bloodshot but "oh i guess that is normal" - really? you guess?
Is it nomal? I'll never know apparently.

I do not want to go through this again, (and this time I gotta pay out of pocket for it as the dentist messed up and "missed a tooth" which is now abscessed) and my phobia won't allow me to hav this done without heavy IV sedation to make sure I can't run away.

I see so many looped people who come back and post their great experience with their brand new dental health and are confident that just because they can do it, so can everyone else - but I sit here and think, "why not me?"

Any support would be greatly appreciated. :cry:
 
Hi,

It's horrible isn't it, when everyone else spouts on about something being 'wonderful', or a 'cure'....and it doesn't work for you. The first time I had sedation, it didn't work at all and I kept telling the dentist I was still awake, and asking her to 'top me up' LOL. I was aware of everything going on, and still had my 'nerves' about what was coming next... (which usually would have had me bolting from the chair) and I did make a bit of a fuss. I am not sure why it didn't work.. I didn't actually feel anything and it was not a bad appointment (extraction and two fillings) but it made me very nervous for my next appointment - two immediate implants - as I just wanted to be completely 'out of it'. Well, next appointment was completely different. I remember absolutely nothing from the moment the IV went in, until I was walking back to the car. I don't think I was 'out' ..I just don't remember a thing, as midazolam acts on the short term memory as much as sedating you. Anyway..whether it was the fact it was a different dentist, (the implant specialist in the same practice) who used a different method (into the arm instead of back of the hand) or was more confident with the amount he gave me - I am not sure. But I know I changed dentists from
that moment!!

Not sure what to say - except all sedation experiences can be completely different - even in the same person. Were you on any other drugs at the time that may have interacted? Maybe you are allergic to Midazolam? They can use Diazepam, but apparently it is slightly sore as it goes into the vein - this is why they usually use Midazolam.

Incidentally - I hope you are looking for a new dentist - one who is competent, and a bit more sympathetic and does not call you a liar!!

All the best
:XXLhug:
 
Thanks so much for your support and understanding of this.... yes, it is definitely.. odd that these experiences vary.

I had a GREAT experience last February and I was on the same meds then that I am now, and they used the same IV meds then, that they did the last time (this past December). yet, the December Iv session went horribly wrong.

The only thing *different* about this time is that my Anesthetist injected the Valium very rapidly into my veins. Unlike my first dental surgery, where I asked him to please only give me tiny doses and then if all goes well to increase the dose to his desire.

When I think about it, it seems as if I was having paradoxical reactions to the IV Valium..or at least the rapid injection of it, seemed like maybe it smacked me in the brain..they also used Propofol, to get me to be immobile/asleep, which I have always responded well to.

I refuse Versed.... it never sat well with me in the past years ago, not gonna try it again.

So right now I am wondering if perhaps I could lessen the risk of another paradoxical reaction by asking the Anesthesiologist to inject the Valium much more slowly this time, like he did with my first surgery. It's the only thing that was done differently, aside from having a heavier dose of Propofol only cause I was flipping out and wouldn't get sedated after the bolus of Valium.

also I might ask him about having an oral dose of Valium perhaps in lieu of the IV administration of the Valium.

What do you think...?

Thank you for sharing your story with me, by the way. It's good to know that just one bad experience doesn't always mean every experience will be that way! :XXLhug:
 
You are welcome! :XXLhug:


I think you would be right to discuss your meds with the dentist. I am in the UK - I am not sure about some of the drugs you mention (Proforol) so I have no experience of that, or even IV Valium. Midazolam (in the US called Versed) is what I always have, and it appears this is what you had a reaction to.

Most experienced sedationists know how to titrate the drug at a rate relevant to the patient. Especially with valium...as apparently it can be quite painful when going into in the veins - usually in the back of the hand.

It probably would be a good idea to have a wee tablet before you go in, just to get you nice and relaxed........ :hic::drool: for the procedure. LOL.

Maybe ask the dentist to prescribe you a 5mg diazepam/oral valium, then he can adjust the Proforol in the IV to suit...

Whatever you do, let us know and I will be thinking of you!
 
Last edited by a moderator:
nono, I always refuse Versed (midazolam) - I think my bad reaction was to the Valium being rapidly injected..kinda punched my brain.
Also I had a slight overdose of local anesthetic too, I forgot to mention that.

But you are absolutely right in that I def need to have a talk with him. which is hard to do.....they always tell me, talk to him when I'm in the chair. ugh.

I'll keep you updated, thanks again :XXLhug:
 
I think that your IV sedation experience (whether it will be bad or good) is due in part to the experience and expertise of the anesthetist.
Your dentist calling you a liar......I would NEVER stand for that!!!!:mad:
Your experience was BAD and your dentist should have been doing his best to comfort and reassure you. Not only that, your dentist missed a tooth?
I would seriously consider firing this guy!!
It seems to me that not only is his bedside manner horrid, his clinical skills aren't too great, either!
A great big :hug2:,
Jen
 
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