Chickened out after numbing gel!! UGH!!

[Trouts]

I am very disappointed in myself and feel so bad for the dentist! I went in this morning with the intent of getting this filling redone. I had originally gone in last Tues afternoon, but got way too anxious and didn't feel too good after sitting in the chair, that I changed the date to this morning. The talk I had Tues about what to expect helped, or so I thought! It took several minutes to even try the numbing gel, we tried it three times and everytime that needle came close to me, I pulled back. So of course, thinking about being MORE numb and just staring at the needle made it worse! HELP! After like 20 min it was too late to continue the rest of the work needed as he had other patients to tend to. We rescheduled for the end of this month. I still feel really bad I wasted the dentist's time and broke the promise to myself I was a big girl and would go thru this! He gave me the same gel and some cotton swabs to take home so I can used to the feeling. If I was able to just use the gel, I would have no problem, it's knowing I would be MORE numb and the needle freaks me out! I want to do this, but it's tough!

 

[Martha55]

I am very disappointed in myself and feel so bad for the dentist! I went in this morning with the intent of getting this filling redone. I had originally gone in last Tues afternoon, but got way too anxious and didn't feel too good after sitting in the chair, that I changed the date to this morning. The talk I had Tues about what to expect helped, or so I thought! It took several minutes to even try the numbing gel, we tried it three times and everytime that needle came close to me, I pulled back. So of course, thinking about being MORE numb and just staring at the needle made it worse! HELP! After like 20 min it was too late to continue the rest of the work needed as he had other patients to tend to. We rescheduled for the end of this month. I still feel really bad I wasted the dentist's time and broke the promise to myself I was a big girl and would go thru this! He gave me the same gel and some cotton swabs to take home so I can used to the feeling. If I was able to just use the gel, I would have no problem, it's knowing I would be MORE numb and the needle freaks me out! I want to do this, but it's tough!

I had something similar happen to me a few months ago. The dentist put the numbing gel in my mouth and I just started panicking. I had to leave and reschedule the appointment. I did go back a few weeks later and what helped was just sitting in the chair for a few minutes after he put the numbing gel in my mouth and then getting the shots to complete the whole numbing process. I seriously hate those shots...they are the worst part as far as I am concerned.

Please don't feel bad about any of this, we all struggle and sometimes the only way through it is to just go at your own pace.

 

[FearfulInMA]

I'm a little better now, but I used to tell the dentist that if I ever saw the needle I would bolt or pass out. He believed me because he always warns me and I always keep my eyes tightly closed. I don't mind the numb feeling itself too much, but I can say that the numb from the local anesthetic ('Novocain') is very different than the numbing gel -- I think it feels less weird -- not sure if that helps.

 

[Ihatedentistss]

Aww, Trouts, your username and avatar crack me up

Please don't feel bad! Sometimes our fear gets the best of us. My suggestion is that you shut your eyes! I always do this. The minute the dentist goes to start preparing the injection I close 'em shut, and so should you! I think this might very well help you a lot.

Also, you know those stress deliver things? You squeeze them and they bulge out? Well you should take one with you or just anything really to hold onto during the procedure. Somewhere awhile back I read about someone doing that during dental procedures and saying it helped when you're nervous. I tried it once and I can't remember if it helped a lot or not, though.

Some dentists are better at giving shots than others. I've had a lot of not so good injections But when I went to the endodonist recently, I'm telling you...I hardly felt anything! It was amazing. He told me the dentist I'm seeing now gives excellent numbing shots, way better than his, so I guess I'll see within the next couple of days if it's true or not

Anyways, I'm cheering you on You need to tell yourself it's not so bad as you think (it's really not). Remind yourself it's the shot that's keeping you from feeling pain during the procedure, and shut your eyes!

 

[zombiegroupie]

i've suffered from this too, I hate being numb at all.

i refuse the numbing gel before the shots. If you have a good dnetist the shots just aren't painful IMO

Also the numbing from the novocain isn't so bad as it comes on sort of gradually. i cry sometimes after I get the shots but once the numbing comes I can calm myself down.

i've had an extraction, and 6 fillings so far since June