Starting To Freak Out Again

Hi JJ -

Hope you got some sleep in the end!

I think my best advice at this point is to try to let go of thinking about the details of what's going on with your teeth so much (I know that's much easier said than done!) and focus on just turning up. Dr C will take care of you today, let him figure out what is needed. All you have to do now is show up and be however you are. You're in good hands!

Tink x

Hi Tink.

Thanks again for your support.

I'll be leaving in about 10 minutes for my appointment. It's at 2 pm.

I'm getting so nervous now. Wish I could relax, but my brain won't cooperate.

I'll be sure to post an update when I get home.

Thanks.

JJ

Hello everyone.

Well, I just got back from from dental appointment with Dr. C. I spent 2 hours in the office getting work done.

I told Dr. C. about the right front top tooth that had started hurting recently and he examined it for me. They took and x-ray and he tapped on the tooth and did the cold test on it and a near by tooth. The tooth tested positive for root canal type symptoms, but Dr. C. is worried because like the other tooth I recently had worked on it showed no signs of disease or decay. He's not sure why it's hurting me, so he referred me to an endodontist.

I told him of my previous bad experience with the doctor here in my town and he gave me names of two doctors in a near by town. I told him I'd already seen another doctor in the near by town, which is larger than ours and he said it's my choice if which doctor I'd like to see. He gave me a referral to have the tooth examined.

I made an appointment with the doctor I've seen in the larger town and they got me in tomorrow morning at 9:00 am for a consultation and root canal treatment if needed.

In the meantime, Dr. C. did my first crown for me today, which took 2 hours total. I used nitrous for the appointment because I was really nervous. The impression was the worst part for me, as it hurt my jaw to do the impression, one of which took 5 minutes of biting down.

I see Dr. C. again next Tueseday, April 26th for my next crown which will be a same day crown. The preparation will be done in the morning and the permanent put on in the afternoon. Right now I have a temporary crown from today, so they'll put on the permanent for this tooth the same day on the 26th.

I'm really glad I went in today. At least I had Dr. C. look at this other tooth and now I have a referral for a specialist to check it.

I'm pretty exhausted from today. I'll probably go to bed early.

I have the day off of work tomorrow and since my appointment is at 9:00 am I'll have to leave the house by around 7:30 am to get to the appointment. The other town is an hour away and I'll give myself enough time to arrive early at the office.

Thanks again for all the support.

JJ

Hey JJ - Hope all goes well with the endo today! Sounds like this is the good one that you saw before (?) so the signs are good!

And well done yesterday, that was a long appointment and it sounds like you did really well!

Let us know how it goes x

Hi Tink.

Thanks again for your support.

I went to my appointment this morning with my endodontist, Dr. G. (Yes he is the good one that I saw once before.) I really think his focus is on making the appointment as painless and easy as possible. He's the best endodontist in our area. He's won some awards and such for making the root canal treatment procedure, much faster and easier for patients.

I already like him a lot. If the time ever arises again he's my number one choice for any complicated endodontic treatment. He's really good with nervous patients like myself. He walks you through everything step by step, just like Dr. C and he encourages you along the way. Positive re-enforcement really makes a difference and both of my doctors do this.

So, Dr. C. told me yesterday that this tooth had irreversible pulpitis and apical periodontitis, which are the exact same diagnoses for the other front tooth I had worked on 2 weeks ago. Dr. G. took an x-ray first and then did his examination on the tooth. He confirmed the diagnoses plus the tooth has an abcess, so it's infected. So he told me he recommended root canal treatment on the tooth and I agreed.

He got me numbed up first with 2 shots, one in the gum near the tooth and one in the roof of my mouth. It's powerful stuff. They said it's called septocaine and I like it much better than novacaine. He left me to rest for a bit, maybe fifteen minutes or so to make sure it had time to work. Then he and the assistant came back in and he gave me one more shot. I have to say that between his technique and this vibrator thing he uses while giving the shot, I didn't feel a thing. By now I was good and numb. The whole right side of my mouth got numb and my nose too. He did the root canal treatment on my tooth and everything went fine except for some jaw pain, which by now I expect. He said the procedure went well and told me I did a great job throughout it all.

My anxiety was manageable and mostly low due to my herbal medications that I took beforehand. I had my stuffed bear and my stress ball in my hands through the whole thing and that seems to help my nerves also.

Dr. G. prescribed Clindamycin 300 mg 3 times a day for 10 days for me to make sure the infection is gone.

I'm happy that the procedure is done with now. I'm really happy that I've found two doctors that I trust now. I think in time I'll eventually not be afraid of dental work, because these two doctors are so caring, gentle and patient. I finally found a good dental team and we're all on the same page.

I have my appointment next week with Dr. C. to get my permanent crown placed and a same day crown on another tooth. Still not sure if I'll use nitrous or not. I'm all for trying without it until I get to the office. Then I panic and end up asking for it. I may try without it and ask to keep it handy if I need it. The reality is that 2 hours in the chair is still too much for me emotionally right now, but we'll see.

Thanks again to everyone.

JJ

Hi all.Time for an update.Well, as I tend to loose my voice and have trouble thinking when I'm at the dentist, I've started using email communication with Dr. C.I've been wanting to ask him about the treatment plan for my fear and anxiety, so I finally wrote it all out and sent him an email. I sent it, but as it's the weekend I'll have to wait until Monday to get a response.Here's what I wrote:Hi Dr. C.I'd like to thank you for all you've done to help me. I really appreciate your patience and taking the time to explain things and answer my questions. I'm sorry that I'm always so nervous when I come in. This process of overcoming my fears and anxiety regarding dental work is all still very new to me. I'm not entirely sure what is the best way to approach everything. I've used the nitrous (laughing gas) for the first couple of procedures that I had done, but I'd like to find a way to not use it at some point. I think I'm afraid of how much anxiety I'll have without it, but I don't want to become dependent on it. I understand that part of this process is us becoming more familiar with each other and building rapport and I know that it will come in time. I know in time the appointments will become easier for me as I find ways to cope better and eventually not be afraid or anxious. I'd like your input on what you think will help. I understand my treatment plan in terms of what needs to be done to get my teeth back to good health, such as crowns. I'm not sure what my treatment plan is in regards to my anxiety. I've heard of techniques like desensitization, if this is something you think could help me please explain the process to me. Any other techniques you think will be helpful, please let me know, as I know very little of this process. Thank you again for everything and for taking the time to read this email.Hopefully he'll have some ideas on how to help. My next appointment with him is on Tuesday, April 26th.JJ

Hi everyone.

Well, my phobia is really causing trouble right now. I've had 3 dental appointments in a 3-4 week period recently. I think even with the nitrous my body tenses up in the chair. I'm starting to have problems physically from my body being so tense in and out of the office. Started having a head aches, low back pain that spreads into the legs and neck and shoulders. Trying to figure out how to get my body to relax, but not really sure at this point.

I've re-visited the idea of psycho-therapy with a psychologist or counselor. Not sure how that would work. There are some strictly online programs which are not too expensive, but I'm not ready to make a commitment just yet. I've been thinking about it a lot though.

Have my next appointment tomorrow with Dr. C. Getting really nervous as the time comes closer. Still waiting for his response to my email. I hope he understood what I was saying.

Thanks again.

JJ

Hi everyone.

I just got back from my dental appointment not long ago. It took a full 2 hours being in the chair to have the work done. I recently sent Dr. C. an email explaining my nervousness and lack of confidence to not be anxious during appointments. I told him that I'd only like to use the nitrous oxide temporarily until I felt confident enough to do without it.


So, this morning we started off with the nitrouos. The assistant came in and took off my temporary crown and checked the fitting for the permanent crown. This tooth was prepped last week for the crown. Dr. C. came in and asked me how I was. I told him I was ok. He also checked with me on how another tooth was doing. I had a root canal treatment done on a front tooth recently. Dr. C. had to refer me to a specialist for it and he was wondering how it felt. It's pain free now, thankfully.


They took an x-ray and then Dr. C. and I talked for a bit. He said he'd read my email and he suggested that we try with the nitrous for a little bit and then take it off and try without it to see how I do. I was given a choice and I chose to try this.


A big part of my phobia is a needle and dental injections fear. I've had dentists in the past who could not give a shot painlessly and so this became a part of my phobia.


I had the nitrous while he gave me the anesthetic and then he let me sit for 5 or so minutes to let it kick in. Dr. C. has a very good injection technique and usually I don't even feel the needle. He also puts a numbing gel on the gums first and this also helps a lot. He left the room and came to check on me after it had taken effect.


When he returned he asked me if I was feeling numb and I said I was. By this time the nitrous had taken full effect also and I felt a lot more relaxed. He cemented the permanent crown for the other tooth first and checked my bite for function and comfort. Then he told me it was time to try without the nitrous if I still wanted to. I agreed to try without it.


He worked on the tooth and about half way through I started to feel pain in the gums near the tooth. I raised my left hand (which is our stop signal) and he stopped to check in on me. I told him the gum was hurting and he gave me some more anesthetic. After it had time to take effect he began working again. I was getting anxious at this point as the nitrous was wearing off and I was having trouble sitting still. Dr. C. saw this and stopped to check on me again. He asked if the tooth/gums were feeling ok. I said it was feeling fine now, but that I was getting anxious again.


He asked me if I wanted the nitrous back on and I said yes if it was ok to do so. He said that was fine. He's always focused on making sure I'm comfortable. They started me on the nitrous againthen and they left me for a few minutes to give it time to take effect. In just a few minutes I was relaxed again and I just focused on my breathing. The rest of the appointment went fine. They took an impression of the tooth for the crown and this hurt my jaw a lot, but there's not much that can be done about it.


I go back this afternoon to get the permanent crown put on as this was a same day crown.

Thanks.

JJ

Hi all.

Just got back from my second dentist appointment today. I now have two brand new permanent crowns on two of my molars. I go back to Dr. C. next week to get another same day crown done.

Glad to have this work done now.

JJ

Hi everyone.

Just a bit of an update here.

My mouth is feeling almost back to normal since my last dental procedure on Tuesday, April 26th. The crowns fit good and I'm able to eat well with them. Still a little gum sensitivity around my lower left molar which had the preparation for the same day crown done.

Next dental appointment is on May 4th to get another same day crown with a post and core. The preparation will be in the morning and I'll go back in the afternoon to get the permanent crown placed.

In other news, I've found some ways to help me better cope with my anxiety and phobia. It takes some getting used to, but I have some exercises that I'm working on now.

Thanks.

JJ

Hi everyone.

I was recently diagnosed with PTSD about 3 days ago.


I'm really having a hard time getting my head around this PTSD diagnosis. I mean I understand I have anxiety, panic attacks, dental phobia and PTSD. It all makes sense in an intellectual sense. What I'm struggling with is the emotional side of things.

How did this happen? How did I let things get so far out of hand? What did I do wrong? Why didn't I stop those dentists? Why didn't they stop when I asked them to? Where do I go from here?

JJ

How did I let things get so far out of hand? What did I do wrong?

Click to expand...

It's not your fault. You didn't do this. And you did not do anything wrong.

Why didn't I stop those dentists? Why didn't they stop when I asked them to?

Click to expand...

For a long time in healthcare, the power dynamic between patient and provider has been skewed. It's starting to get better nowadays, but there's a long-standing tradition of healthcare providers not listening to patients, and thinking they know best. I know I've got some trauma from an incident with medical staff (not related to dentists). It's not our fault. No one taught us that we should be allowed to say "Stop" and that we should be listened to, and that we have the right to walk out if our boundaries are crossed. And it's exceedingly hard to actually do that in the moment, when you feel powerless.

I have PTSD too. For a little while, panic attacks ruled my life. But my therapist gave me ways to break the cycle of fear -> panic attack -> more fear -> more panic attacks.

As from where you go from here, well you're already dealing with it. You've managed to get dental treatments done, which is huge progress. I know it's scary being diagnosed with something and thinking "is this me forever?" but try think of the diagnosis as a tool to better help you understand the way your mind works with trauma.

Hi Sevena.

Thank you for your support. Thank you for saying it's not my fault. I keep thinking I must have done something wrong for this to have happened. It wasn't my fault though. Those dentist's behaved inappropriately.

I'm sorry that you deal with PTSD also. For some reason that diagnosis just hit me hard. I kind of knew already but then when my therapist confirmed it, it made it real.

I'm glad that the power play in healthcare and dentistry is changing. Dr. C. is proof that it is changing and that there are good and nice dentists out there.

Thank you. I'm learning that I am on the right track to healing now. It's just really difficult. We've been going through some exercises in therapy and I had two good days followed by two bad days. I think my mind is just having trouble adjusting and coping to the new thought patterns.

Thank you.

JJ

Hi everyone.

I just got home after my dentist appointment this morning. The appointment went really well. I was a bundle of nerves when I first got to the office, but after a few minutes I felt calmer. I wasn't as nervous in the waiting room as I usually am. I did use nitrous for my appointment today, because it really helps me to relax and not be anxious. Partly due to the length of time of the appointment and partly because this appointment involved some drilling, I needed it today to help me to stay calm.


I didn't take any herbal anti-anxiety pills today and I was ok without them. The procedure went fine. I had a core build up and crown preparation on one of my lower right molars.


I wasn't on hyper alert like I usually feel at the dentist. Normally I feel so anxious and nervous that it's hard to relax, even with the nitrous, but today I felt a lot calmer overall. I felt safe today. I felt safe and calm enough that I felt like I could've fallen asleep there. That's amazing for me. I actually closed my eyes through most of the appointment. In the past I wouldn't have been able to, but I felt safe enough with Dr. C. that I just closed my eyes while he worked and I felt ok doing that.


I'm still a little off right now. It takes me awhile to completely settle down after an appointment still. It takes me some time to process what happened and process my emotions regarding it all.


The dental assistant asked me if I felt more comfortable coming to the office now. I told her that I did feel more comfortable now that I knew Dr. C., her and the staff there. I told her my anxiety was still there, but it was less overall now when I came to the office.


I don't know what it is exactly, but I feel like I took a huge step forward today. I really trust Dr. C. a lot now. I feel comfortable and safe with him.


There was a point that I thought I'd never be able to say that about a dentist.


I can tell that Dr. C. is doing his very best to earn my trust.


I have an appointment this afternoon at 4 pm to get my permanent crown put on the tooth that was worked on this morning. I'm going to do without the nitrous because it's a short appointment and I want to see how I do without it. It should take 30 minutes or less.


Thank you again for your support.


JJ

You're right, you're making great progress. It's really true that a good, understanding dentist makes all the difference in the world.

Good luck with your crown!

Hi Sevena.

Thank you so much for your encouragement and support. You're right. The right dentist really makes all the difference. I'm so happy that I've found Dr. C. and that I am able to trust him now. He really helps me to feel safe.

Thank you.

JJ

Hi everyone.

I got back from my dental appointment not long ago to get my permanent crown placed. The appointment went really well. I did it without the nitrous. It was as simple as fitting the crown and cementing it on. I was there maybe 30 minutes or so.

I asked to talk to Dr. C. after the work was done. I really wanted to thank him and tell him how much he has helped me. I told him that I felt safe at the office now and it really meant a lot to me how much he had helped me. I also thanked the staff including the assistants and the front desk staff. Dr. C. and the assistant both said that they'd seen a big change with me and could tell that I was feeling more comfortable. Dr. C. said he was glad that I was feeling better and said it made him feel good to see how much I'd improved and how much less anxious I was now.

I'm really happy how well I'm dealing with my anxiety now.

Thank you all for your help. You've all taught me some things that help and having you hear to listen and give support helps a lot also.

Thank you.

JJ

Hi everyone.


Really struggling right now. Last two days have been full of flashbacks, anxiety, fear and nightmares.


I'm really upset right now because 3 days ago a tooth that had a root canal treatment done a month ago, started hurting again. It initially settle down after treatment, but now the pain is back and it's causing me to panic. It also has these periods where it will feel loose and then fine again and go back and forth. Recently it's felt loose and that really scares me.


I called my dentist, Dr. C., this morning and he is going to see me today at 4 pm. I'm still in the process of building trust with him, so I still get in this panicky, anxiety and fearful kind of mood before appointments. Especially when it's something unexpected like this.


I'm really worried that he won't be able to treat it himself and that I'll need a referral to a specialist. I'm not ready to meet and try to trust another doctor right now.


I'm afraid I'm going to need some complicated treatment to fix this tooth.


JJ

Hi all.

Just got back from my emergency appointment with Dr. C. Well, it's not good news. He doesn't know what's causing the pain. He put me on a 3 day course of antibiotics and if the pain gets worse or the antibiotic doesn't help, I have to go to the endodontist again. Dr. C. said that the tooth has some signs of inflammation around the tip of the tooth's root. So, I may need to have a procedure called an Apicoectomy to have the end of the root removed. This is endodontic surgery, so it's an invasive procedure. The doctor would take out the end of the tooth root and the surrounding tissues with infection and put something to stimulate bone growth.

The possibility of this really scares me, but I also want to be out of pain. So if the pain gets worse, I'm supposed to call Dr. C. right away. Either way I'm to call his office on Thursday, to let him know if the antibiotic helped or not. I already took my first dose of antibiotic.

I may be seeing Dr. G. again soon for this procedure. I guess we'll have to wait and see.

JJ

Hi all.

Right now I'm feeling really insecure and scared. I'm afraid that Dr. C. will drop me as a patient at some point. It's only been 2 months and I've been such a complicated case for him. I'm not trying to make things hard for him. I feel bad that he has to deal with me and my issues.

I know why these feelings are coming up now. Two months was when Dr. R. dropped me as a patient. Now I've been with Dr. C. for two months and I'm terrified that he won't want to work with me anymore.

Besides that, the tooth I'm worried about started to hurt worse, so now Dr. C. has referred me to see Dr. G. again. I don't know what is going on with this tooth, but it's driving me crazy. Dr. C. is worried about the tooth root below the gum line, so I probably need a procedure called an apicoectomy. It's actually considered a dental surgery, so that scares me really bad.

I finally decided to send Dr. C. an email with all of my questions about other treatments. I know it was a lot. I hope he doesn't mind. I think I'll have to wait to hear his response until my next appointment with him next week. I have a feeling he may have to examine me again before he can give me some of the answers.

I also set up a consultation appointment with a periodontist. I don't need a referral, but I'll ask Dr. C. if he wants to write one. It'll give the other doctor more information. The appointment is not until June 30th for a new patient and the waiting will be hard for me. Also, even though I've already scheduled with this doctor, I'm going to ask Dr. C. who he'd recommend. I kind of got anxious and made the appointment before I talked with Dr. C., but I still want his opinion on a referral.

I'm really nervous. The new doctor is Dr. M. If I do need treatment and decide to go through with it, it'll be a lot of work and from what I can find online, some intense procedures. I'm not even sure if I could make myself go through with it. My motivator is to get rid of my sensitivity and pain.

Too many things going on right now. I'm really having a rough time recently.

JJ