G
Guest
Former Member
This thread first appeared on the support board, but because so many people found it helpful, it was moved to success stories
My state of total despair has improved to perhaps 99% despair after finding this support forum. After reading the comments of others, I see there are many that share my fears and anxiety, yet does little to assist me directly.
I’ve been married for twenty years. During that time I’ve not visited the dentist, despite the fact that my wife works for one. While she is a kind and caring person, she’s quick to criticize people who don’t share her beliefs. Each night she comes home and shares stories about patients; how they act and how childish they often are. My “fright” probably originates from several bad experiences I had while a child. My mother took us to an old timer whose office resembled Dr Frankenstein’s lab. He insisted my Mom wait out side during any procedure. Young and nervous, I was often restrained and often forcibly sedated with nitrous oxide. On two occasions I awoke sobbing, vividly recalling my trousers being open. Years later I realized what probably happened. Fearing what might happen the next visit, I was petrified to tell my Mom. Now, despite a sincere desire to share these incidents with my wife, I’m simply unable. Till this day, I awake with nightmares that relive the incident over and over. The pain of the injections, the smell of the burning porcelain against the dentist’s drill and that antiseptic smell invoke anxiety and tightness in my chest that brings me to a cold sweat.
In the past few years I’ve made appointments with other dentists. As the day approached my nights were sleepless and in each case I cancelled the appointment. While I truly want to obtain the dental care I so desperately need, emotionally and physically I’m unable. I’m also horrified by the thought that my wife’s co-workers will probably be discussing my state of neglect.
The thought of any injections immediately invoke panic and any thoughts of any form of sedation result in the recurring flashbacks that haunt me.
Up until now most of the much needed work was restricted to the rear teeth, Fillings that have long since fallen out made way to fractures and are now gum line memories of what once was. I realize that these must somehow be extracted and the thought of oral surgery is unthinkable. Now more recently, the damage is visible in my front teeth. Like many here, it’s embarrassing and has taken away much of my self esteem. Oh, and one more important fact. For some strange reason, most pain medication doesn’t work very well so the thought of enduring pain in the aftermath of any procedure faces me with very few choices. I consider myself an extreme case, definitely desperate for help, and getting more depressed by the day. Won’t someone offer some suggestion that’s not been given?
My state of total despair has improved to perhaps 99% despair after finding this support forum. After reading the comments of others, I see there are many that share my fears and anxiety, yet does little to assist me directly.
I’ve been married for twenty years. During that time I’ve not visited the dentist, despite the fact that my wife works for one. While she is a kind and caring person, she’s quick to criticize people who don’t share her beliefs. Each night she comes home and shares stories about patients; how they act and how childish they often are. My “fright” probably originates from several bad experiences I had while a child. My mother took us to an old timer whose office resembled Dr Frankenstein’s lab. He insisted my Mom wait out side during any procedure. Young and nervous, I was often restrained and often forcibly sedated with nitrous oxide. On two occasions I awoke sobbing, vividly recalling my trousers being open. Years later I realized what probably happened. Fearing what might happen the next visit, I was petrified to tell my Mom. Now, despite a sincere desire to share these incidents with my wife, I’m simply unable. Till this day, I awake with nightmares that relive the incident over and over. The pain of the injections, the smell of the burning porcelain against the dentist’s drill and that antiseptic smell invoke anxiety and tightness in my chest that brings me to a cold sweat.
In the past few years I’ve made appointments with other dentists. As the day approached my nights were sleepless and in each case I cancelled the appointment. While I truly want to obtain the dental care I so desperately need, emotionally and physically I’m unable. I’m also horrified by the thought that my wife’s co-workers will probably be discussing my state of neglect.
The thought of any injections immediately invoke panic and any thoughts of any form of sedation result in the recurring flashbacks that haunt me.
Up until now most of the much needed work was restricted to the rear teeth, Fillings that have long since fallen out made way to fractures and are now gum line memories of what once was. I realize that these must somehow be extracted and the thought of oral surgery is unthinkable. Now more recently, the damage is visible in my front teeth. Like many here, it’s embarrassing and has taken away much of my self esteem. Oh, and one more important fact. For some strange reason, most pain medication doesn’t work very well so the thought of enduring pain in the aftermath of any procedure faces me with very few choices. I consider myself an extreme case, definitely desperate for help, and getting more depressed by the day. Won’t someone offer some suggestion that’s not been given?