Didn't used to have a phobia but nearly fainted now really scared

[Ballerina85]

Hi

I'm really hoping someone can help/ offer some advice.

I used to be scared of dentists as a child but now in mid 20's thought I had overcome my fear. I've have 4 teeth extracted, aprox 4/5 fillings all with local anaesethtic and felt ok during all of them.

Got toothache last week, had a small hole and really bad jaw pain. Had an app, got amoxicillin then went back for the filling.

Felt ok but then had the nerve block injection which I've had before but this time half way through I suddenly felt really hot/ sweaty then lightheaded and finally got ringing in my ears and tunnel vision. The dentist was lovely and tried to ask me if I was ok but I totally froze up and didn't even feel like I could talk properly. I felt awful for not being able to ask him to stop it was like I just couldn't function. Thankfully he was really good and realised I felt faint and stopped I don't think I fully fainted but tbh don't remember it that well.
He gave me some time til I felt better then carried on with the injections and I was fine. I'm so embarrased and can't believe I didn't say anything I just apologised The rest of the app approx an hour seemed to go alright and I didn't feel faint again thankfully

But I need a root canal on the top and I'm terrified that I will feel faint again I've never felt faint before during any sort of dental work/ needles but I feel like the very thought that I might faint at the next app will make me do it again if that makes sense?

He did say that it wouldn't need a nerve block next time and that should help. But could it just be a one off? Or now it's happened once will it happen again?

Any advice would be great? Also is it likely that it was caused by fear generally or the adrenaline or a needle thing? It's strange because even now I don't feel scared of the dentist, just frightened that I'll nearly faint again during the injections again

x

 

[brit]

I'm not a dentist but would say it wouldn't necessarily happen again and if this isn't usually an issue for you through fear of needles or similar, it could well have been caused by going in there on an empty stomach or similar so make sure you have eaten before your next appointment and try to relax about it. Look at it as the dentist's problem rather than yours...if it were to occur again rather than being embarrassed.
My advice would be not to skip the anaesthetic for part two of a root canal, even if the nerve is already completely gone, it just feels better numbed up. Best to break the pattern of thinking local anaesthetic could cause this reaction in you, it could just have been anxiety coupled with an empty stomach causing a sudden drop in blood pressure. It is not uncommon, it has happened to me although I just felt I faded away and came back and I don't think anyone noticed lol. I hadn't eaten beforehand.
Also read the fainting section https://www.dentalfearcentral.org/fears/fainting-during-injections/ which contains good tips for avoiding a recurrence.

 

[Ballerina85]

Hi Brit

Thanks for your message
I think you're probably right I didn't eat or drink much on the day and I'm sure that must have been part of it. The thing is I know this sounds silly but I can't stop thinking about it. It's been 2 days and I still feel stressed and I haven't even booked another app so logically know I have nothing to be stressed about if that makes sense?

As someone who felt fine apart from a bit of normal anxiety before hand I now feel seriously worried and can't even sleep properly
The tooth that was filled still hurts which I know is normal but I have this awful feeling that it's not going to settle down (it was quite a big filling)

Thanks for the link the site has helped, I will try practicing what it says. It does seem quite similar as I only felt faint during the injections so it makes sense. I also think I felt the need to be normal again straight away and not cause them any problems or say anything was wrong similar to the page on https://www.dentalfearcentral.org/fears/crying/ which probably made it worse. I could tell he was desparate for me to tell him when things were wrong or to stop or just communicate anything at all but I'm embarraased to admit I felt so silly at the time I just couldn't even bring myself to raise a hand!! I wish in hind sight I would have talked about it.

I'm wondering what I should do next whether it is better to try and go asap and face my fears - hopefully try and talk about it and manage not to faint and feel better. Or wait as long as possible til I hopefully calm down on my own as the Root Canal isn't urgent it's only a bit sore and I can put up with it

Thanks again x

 

[Ballerina85]

RE I managed not to faint

Just to say thank you so much Brit - I ate before hand and made it through the first app of the root canal without fainting or feeling faint

I was also honest about how I felt which really helped .... the Dentist and assistant were both so lovely.

Also RC went really well... had heard so many horror stories but had no problems and didn't feel a thing.

I really appreciate your help now just have to get through part 2....

x

 

[brit]

Glad it worked out Part 2 will be very similar.

 

[Vuize]

When I had an appointment to place a crown on my tooth, the dentist applied local anaesthetic and slowly drilled into my molar only to stop within minutes. He later advised me that I needed to see a specialist to do a root canal and asked me to meet him at the reception so I can get the details.

Whilst at reception, I asked him what's going on and what is needed to be done. He started drawing the situation of my tooth, next minute I was on the floor with a sore back and head. I apparently fainted, which I believe is due to fear.

 

[brit]

When I had an appointment to place a crown on my tooth, the dentist applied local anaesthetic and slowly drilled into my molar only to stop within minutes. He later advised me that I needed to see a specialist to do a root canal and asked me to meet him at the reception so I can get the details.

Whilst at reception, I asked him what's going on and what is needed to be done. He started drawing the situation of my tooth, next minute I was on the floor with a sore back and head. I apparently fainted, which I believe is due to fear.

Yes I expect that was fear. It sounds like it wasn't broken to you very well and insufficient reassurance was provided.

 

[45andAfraid]

I find that it's more or less a type of anxiety attack. I had gotten that dizzy feeling/hot, tunnel vision in a shopping centre once... department store and barely made it out the front door into the open air. After some controlled breathing I was fine.

From that point on, I became fearful of "big shopping malls - open spaces - lots of people" scenarios. My solving this problem was controlling my anxiety because it started happening in other places and in other situations. So it doesn't matter where I go, home or out, it could happen but I can't blame the "place" I'm at on my attack.

I've sinced reduced my caffiene intake and eat properly before going any place I feel "threatened".

I also don't like being told things that are about to happen to "me". I don't like attention brought to me it only increases my fear/anxiety and become worse... I'll bolt out the door!!

 

[brit]

I also don't like being told things that are about to happen to "me". I don't like attention brought to me it only increases my fear/anxiety and become worse... I'll bolt out the door!!

Everyone is different I suppose. I am sure for many knowing what is happening gives a sense of control.