Anxiety about upcoming appointment

[Malaga]

So I’ve been pushing off seeing the dentist for so long. At the start of the month I finally got the courage to make an appointment for tomorrow. As the day got closer my anxiety started manifesting in physical symptoms such as headaches and nausea. I know the dentist will have a lot of work to do. And I think I’m also getting phantom pains in my teeth and jaw. Past experiences have been awful for me and I have nightmares where I go in and they say they have to remove all my teeth or even my jaw.
The other part of my anxiety is trying to figure out how I will pay for the work that needs to be done.
I’m I’m so so scared about this

 

[CourageAndBraveryASAP]

Wishing you MUCH LUCK tomorrow! Please let us know how it goes!

Last month I had my first dental appointment ever, got a treatment plan, and did the first step of the plan (part one of a root canal) just on Friday. I was terrified (no seriously, terrified and didn't sleep the two weeks leading up to it!) and yet it went so well. It was a non-event. Part two of the root canal is next week. Then I'll continue down the laundry list treatment plan, including getting complicated wisdom teeth out and a bone graft with an oral surgeon. When it's all said and done, I'll be in debt $25-35k. But I also haven't invested a dime in my mouth up until this point. I'm in the US and can charge about 1/6 of this amount to Care Credit. There is no potential for payment plans unfortunately, and I already hit my $1k annual maximum on dental insurance, so I have to charge the rest or seek out a personal loan. Scary as we also want to begin trying to conceive and may need fertility/adoption money, but... it's my health. So I'm trusting that I'll figure it out and pay it off over time.

I share so much to say that even if it's overwhelming and you need work done, there's a great support system on here, you're not at all alone, and hopefully you'll have a great first experience with someone you trust.

Rooting for you!

 

[Malaga]

Wishing you MUCH LUCK tomorrow! Please let us know how it goes!

Last month I had my first dental appointment ever, got a treatment plan, and did the first step of the plan (part one of a root canal) just on Friday. I was terrified (no seriously, terrified and didn't sleep the two weeks leading up to it!) and yet it went so well. It was a non-event. Part two of the root canal is next week. Then I'll continue down the laundry list treatment plan, including getting complicated wisdom teeth out and a bone graft with an oral surgeon. When it's all said and done, I'll be in debt $25-35k. But I also haven't invested a dime in my mouth up until this point. I'm in the US and can charge about 1/6 of this amount to Care Credit. There is no potential for payment plans unfortunately, and I already hit my $1k annual maximum on dental insurance, so I have to charge the rest or seek out a personal loan. Scary as we also want to begin trying to conceive and may need fertility/adoption money, but... it's my health. So I'm trusting that I'll figure it out and pay it off over time.

I share so much to say that even if it's overwhelming and you need work done, there's a great support system on here, you're not at all alone, and hopefully you'll have a great first experience with someone you trust.

Rooting for you!

Thank you courage!
I’m in the US too, I don’t know how I would be able to pay off something like 25k. Not with 2 kids that have their own needs.
I haven’t really eaten today I’m so nervous. I keep telling myself just get there and get through the exam first. Then see what they have so say about the treatment. After that I can worry about how to mentally go through them and also find money for them.
My anxiety definitely magnifies the unknown.

 

[CourageAndBraveryASAP]

Thinking of you today! Anxiety about the unknown is the worst and soon it will all be known!

 

[Malaga]

Thinking of you today! Anxiety about the unknown is the worst and soon it will all be known!

All done. I only cried twice lol. the damage to my teeth was less than I expected. I have my follow up in March.
It took a good 24 hours for my anxiety symptoms to subside, my jaw is finally feeling normal again, headaches have subsided (both from clenching when anxious) and the nausea has tapered off.
Let’s hope I can keep it together through my next appointment. I have 3 in total lined up over the next few months

 

[CourageAndBraveryASAP]

WOW, you got through it! And it was better than you imagined, sounds like. That's so terrific. Gives me a little bravery too!

 

[kitkat]

So glad that you made it through the appointment and are willing to go back! Making the call is the first big hurdle, then showing up, and then coming back so you are already 2/3rds of the way there! Glad to hear that the results were better than expected. Please keep us posted on how you get on with things!