My teeth - 'medicine' phobia and periodontal battle

[Carys]

Ok, so I've posted a few times, but thought I would start a thread where I can add posts as things happen. I am doing this partly for cathartic reasons, and partly because someone in the future may find it of some minor assistance in their own battle.

I last visited my dental practice 1.5 years ago, in pain with the gum around a rear wisdom tooth. He looked and informed me that the 'hole' I was sure I could see was only the dentine of the root showing, as the gum had receeded. I was given anti-biotics for a gum infection around the tooth and had a full cleaning job, with any gumline plaque removed etc. Prior to this my visits had been sporadic, I was scared to go incase they told me I needed anything done, but occasionally went to the hygenist for a session and once went with a tooth that was giving pain and needed a filling. My fear, through all of these last 15 years years has been that I will react to the local anaesthic (listed as a 'common fear' on the links above). Before this fear set in I had had local injections, when front crowns were done and for a filling, there had never been a reaction at all ! I am terrified of ALL medication, not just anything related to the dentist, and have even avoided paracetamol entirely for 12 years.

Every time I went to my dental practice the dentist had left and another appeared, so this hardly made for consistency. Over all these years, it was not suggested that I had any xrays, and a few observational check-ups were done. I am not dental phobic in the sense that I have none of the other fears listed above in the menu bar, pain does not concern me that much, but I am terrified of medications, and an allergy to anything the dentist uses - right from the cement to the mouth wash. I am also terrified about a reaction between a medication I take and the local anaesthetic. The bottom line is, I think I will die if I have that injection, anaphylaxis is my deepest fear !

4 weeks ago I snapped off one front crown (it didn't fall off, it broke on the tooth core) which had already been BADLY and incorrectly pinned (I have since found out). I went back desperate to have it just cemented back on and was told by the (next new) dentist at the practice that nothing was possible and an implant was needed. However, he did manage to cement it back on at a very jaunty angle !!! He didn't instill confidence and I left feeling panicked. I cancelled my follow-up appointment and started looking elsewhere for another practice.

I found another practice. I was honest with the dentist I met about my phobia. He took ages to explain things to me, he said he felt that we probably did have other options before the implant and was happy to try them. I didn't mention the wisdom tooth, as I was terrified that he would look at it and tell me it needed to come out. I left feeling reassured by my experience, and made a follow-up appointment for the crown to be removed, an assessement made and a temporary crown fitted - and hurrah - no local jab needed. In the following week the pain from the 'not a hole' wisdom tooth became bad, so I went back to see the dentist. In the week leading up to this appointment I was in a terrible state; coudln't eat, felt sick, was having panic attacks, insomnia and very low mood. He took one look and said it did indeed have a LARGE cavity and needed removing (cheers pervious dentist) as it was too late to fill. He then did some more xrays and found more 'hidden' cavities elsewhere !!!! EXACTLY the news I did not want, it would definitely mean a local for the removal of the wisdom and probably for other work required.

We talked at length about my phobia, he was kind but at a loss about how to progress with the phobia. I asked on this forum, and I asked him, about if people had reactions to the aneasethics...and he repeated what this forum tells you - very very very rare, almost none existent. I asked him if it would be possible, to try and break the fear, to have a teensy weensy amount in a gum to get myself used to it and see what happened. He has agreed to this, and has even said that he will keep the emergency kit (epi pen and such like) out on the side for my appointment. He really is a nice man.

So, here I am. My appointment is this Friday, for some work on the front crown. I don't need a local for this, but at my own suggestion I am going to 'try a bit', as I know very soon I need it for the removal of the wisdom tooth. He even agreed that I could have the adrenaline free version, as I had a fear of this accidentally causing a panic attack (and goodness knows,they need no encouragement at the moment !) I feel - and this is no exaggeration - as if I have signed my own terrible fate, that is how strong it feels. I have tried to rationalise, read all the positive things I can, and whilst my head tells me one thing, my heart comes back with 'something bad is going to happen though'. I have periods where I feel resigned to the impending situation, and then I switch quickly over to internal hysteria.

I mean, every day people do this, you don't see people dropping at the dentist....it doesn't happen. I know this, but I guess that is what phobias are all about, they aren't rational. They sure are a pain in the backside though !!!

I will post here as things progress. Take care all.

[brit]

Ok, so I've posted a few times, but thought I would start a thread where I can add posts as things happen. I am doing this partly for cathartic reasons, and partly because someone in the future may find it of some minor assistance in their own battle.

I have moved this to Journals as that is what I think it is, based on your criteria. You can also keep a separate thread in Support if you wish. I see your other started threads are in Dentistry Questions.

[brit]

We talked at length about my phobia, he was kind but at a loss about how to progress with the phobia. I asked on this forum, and I asked him, about if people had reactions to the aneasethics...and he repeated what this forum tells you - very very very rare, almost none existent. I asked him if it would be possible, to try and break the fear, to have a teensy weensy amount in a gum to get myself used to it and see what happened. He has agreed to this, and has even said that he will keep the emergency kit (epi pen and such like) out on the side for my appointment. He really is a nice man.

You've got a gem there! Here's hoping by continuing to discuss and build trust that you eventually overcome this without having to resort to the 'talking therapies'.
I recommend that you try a bit of the standard version (without epi is building in another layer of anxiety to move on from it) and I promise you you will be fine.

[Carys]

You are right, of course, about the 'another layer of anxiety'.

The only thing is, as I suffer from (sometimes very bad) panic attacks and then PVCS (and take an SNRI med), IF the adrenaline was to affect me in any way then that might be the end of my journey. I'm not concerned about an allergy to the adrenaline stuff actually, as having read here I know it is a natural body chemical, but I have so much of it coursing around that if I was to start the heart racing thing and some adrenaline was added to it then it could send me into hysteria ?!

[Carys]

This morning (with about 36 hours until the D-day appointment) I emailed the practice.

I asked two questions, one was if there were any contra-indications with the medication I take. Secondly I asked which non-epi. local anaesthetic they were planning to use. I also made mention of the fact (again, as had done so in person anway, but as a reminder) of my panic attacks and the fact that I suffer from benign PVCS and of course my phobia about medications.

I emailed as I have a tendency on the day, due to anxiety, for my brain to go to mush. I also wanted to be sure that they understood the situation. I have a lovely reply from the dentists dental nurse, telling me she had checked for contra-indications, all fine. She said a few other things, but added at the end....

We hope these answers ease your concern a little and wish you to know we will always endevour to answer any questions you have.

So, there we go, a really nice reply and they are trying very hard to help me through this. I just hope I have the strength tomorrow to 'allow' the injection. All this getting worked up about a teensy weensy 2 second needle, I am cross with myself actually for allowing myself to get like this.

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[brit]

I just hope I have the strength tomorrow to 'allow' the injection. All this getting worked up about a teensy weensy 2 second needle, I am cross with myself actually for allowing myself to get like this. [/COLOR]
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Is needle phobia/pain an issue for you at all around needles? The thing is most medical needles involve a quick sting or a little scratch in skilled hands. Dental injections are however much cooler and much easier to do totally painlessly (honestly - have had loads recently from a specialist and from my general dentist) but the dentist has to use the right techniques. In general topical anaesthetic and slow delivery will give the most predictably comfortable result.
So don't get it out of proportion. It is not a big deal if the dentist has the right attitude to your comfort as I am sure yours does.http://www.dentalfearcentral.org/fears/needle-phobia/

I would also advise you to eat something beforehand and just try to relax.

[Carys]

Thanks Brit, for your thoughtful response. I am hoping, of course, that it is good delivery of the anaesthetic, but actually I am not needle phobic. It is simply what comes out of the needle I am phobic about........so a needle with nothing in it would be fine LOL !! Isn't that daft. Logically therefore, if I've ever needed blood tests done I am fine and generally watch, as that is just my blood coming out.

Not slept well all week, but of course last night was terrible with only a couple of hours. Adrenaline is rushing round my system and I am trying to relax, and positively re-enforce myself, but feeling quite pukey and headachey and panicked.

[brit]

Not slept well all week, but of course last night was terrible with only a couple of hours. Adrenaline is rushing round my system and I am trying to relax, and positively re-enforce myself, but feeling quite pukey and headachey and panicked.

You do realise that in the unlikely event that you had some kind of negative reaction, you would not die from it. It is local aneasthetic not sedation medication.
The only way you can die from local is if you are overdosed and an adult overdose is at least 12 full cartridges - not going to happen.

[Carys]

I was just going to click 'thanks', but I wanted to click it lots of times to say BIG THANKS. Means a lots to me you taking the time to respond !

Anaphylaxis is my fear, but then that is my fear about everything...every medication....every insect sting etc.

[brit]

Anaphylaxis is my fear, but then that is my fear about everything...every medication....every insect sting etc.

Do you worry that every plane you go on may crash? I mean I go on planes happily but the thought always crosses my mind that it could crash (well they do the safety demo after all lol) but I suppose the difference is that doesn't stop me going on planes.

I reckon planes are more dangerous than most drugs.