Do the IV Sedation for the love of all things!

[Akal]

I posted a couple times here about my appointment and it came to pass yesterday!

A whole year of putting off the inevitable. Sitting in the chair THREE time at three different appointments to get it dealt with but bailing every time before they laid me back.

Finally I opted for Midazolam IV Sedation to get my molar removed.


I went in terrified. Hands and feet seizing up from hyperventilating. Gagging. Shaking.

I had my dad take me instead of my wife cause my dad is intimidating and would be harsh to me if I bailed

I sat in the chair with ALL my panic and anxiety. Blood pressure was through the roof. I didn’t stop the dentist from putting the IV in. I just had to commit that far and hope for the best.

It was amazing.

Within seconds everything was lifted from me. I didn’t care. I was so chill and told the dentist “wow this is amazing. Don’t let me say anything stupid” and he said “I don’t want to hear you anyway” and we both laughed.

I drifted in and out of sleep. Eyes closed the whole time just chilling. All of a sudden I’m sitting up and putting my arm back into my flannel shirt and I was like oh my gosh I did it.

At that point I was completely cognizant and lucid. Control over my thoughts and body, though I was wobbly.

Went out and paid for the procedure and my dad walked behind me to the car.

I was good to go!!

Just recovering at home with a sore jaw the day after but no tooth pain. Clot formed nicely and I’m back to stressing about all my responsibilities I put off cause of my dental anxiety haha

If you have any hesitation or anxiety about IV Sedation, just do it. Just commit. As soon as that thing is in your arm you are CHILLIN and nothing matters. Promise

 

[feelingbetter]

Thank you so much for this encouraging post, Akal. I am facing my first time with IV soon and nervous about being 'out of it' yet at the same time wanting to be, if that makes sense. I shall probably read over your story many times before the day.

 

[Akal]

Ask any questions! That was one of my biggest fears but I knew I couldn’t do it without it.

There is absolutely nothing to be afraid of. In fact you can look forward to it! Very hard to explain but it’s great!

 

[feelingbetter]

Thank you so much. One worry is that I won't be able to communicate to the dentist if I start to feel pain.

 

[Akal]

Thank you so much. One worry is that I won't be able to communicate to the dentist if I start to feel pain.

Oh that’s a non-issue! The only things I really remember from the procedure is the dentist asking me “do you feel that?” “Any pain?” And me being like no leave me alone basically haha

It was really like I could be aware and aloof if I wanted to be but was too calm and relaxed to make an effort. If there was any pain I would’ve for sure been able to speak up. At no point did I feel stuck or trapped in any way.

The hardest part about the whole thing was being done. It sounds crazy but I wish it was a root canal or some longer procedure. It really felt like one of those mornings where you reaaallly want to hit the snooze button cause your cozy and snoozy but you get up anyway cause you have to.

 

[feelingbetter]

That's very reassuring. I think being stuck or trapped was exactly my fear. I am hoping that this first experience will make future potentially longer ones easier.

 

[feelingbetter]

I nervously booked an appointment for January 10th. The IV nurse kindly had a chat with me but still feeling terrified

 

[Akal]

I nervously booked an appointment for January 10th. The IV nurse kindly had a chat with me but still feeling terrified

Good work! It’s going to be great and nothing like you are worried it will be!

Nothing could’ve comforted me beforehand but you just have to get it the chair as nervous as you are even in panic mode and then once it’s done you’ll never panic about the dentist again!

 

[feelingbetter]

Thanks for your support. Really appreciate it. Was awake at 4am thinking about making the appointment and made myself call but now adrenalin is still racing 9 hours later. I am not phobic about needles (I have acupuncture) although I don't love them. I think it's the unknown, the idea of being out of control and possible pain while 'under' that are getting to me. I once had an inflammed tooth that the dentist couldn't numb properly for a filling so he stopped and rescheduled. Next time it was fine although I was terrified. I am worrying that I won't be able to communicate anything like that to him although I hear you when you say that they will know if I'm in pain. And are you seriously okay now with the thought of the dentist? That would be such a blessing.

 

[Akal]

You’ll be able to communicate just fine! Promise.

And yeah I’m so excited I got the big thing done so I can finally get my teeth deep cleaned and a couple cavities filled. And next time I need a root canal or a tooth pulled I’m going to be totally confident knowing the IV Sedation is amazing!

 

[feelingbetter]

Thanks again for the reassurance.

Great to hear you are gaining confidence after IV. I too am okay now about deep cleaning (root planing and scaling) and fillings. It took a while. I think the fear about the IV comes from the unknown and a tendency to catastrophise.

I look forward to being able to post my own success story here soon

 

[Jackieallen]

Thanks again for the reassurance.

Great to hear you are gaining confidence after IV. I too am okay now about deep cleaning (root planing and scaling) and fillings. It took a while. I think the fear about the IV comes from the unknown and a tendency to catastrophise.

I look forward to being able to post my own success story here soon

Iv sedation is amazing . On the 10th you'll be the happiest feeling better ever .

I promise

 

[gentledental]

@Akal
Interesting to hear your side of the story and I'm glad it's a positive one!

Thank you for taking the time to share your experience.

 

[feelingbetter]

@Jackieallen Thank you and Akal for the encouragement. Coming up to the 10th and so far feeling only a little bit nervous (the unknown)

 

[feelingbetter]

Feeling a bit nervous now and reading over all the iv experiences on this forum (very grateful to those who post and hope to do the same in a couple of days). Dentist gave me a sedative to take tonight too.

 

[Akal]

@feelingbetter hey it’s going to be a breeze! The IV sedation is much better than the oral sedative they gave you for tonight too so if you have an uncomfortable experience with the oral sedative don’t let that deter you.

Oral sedatives tend to make me feel a bit wonky and uncomfortable personally but the IV was pretty perfect and I felt totally in control just unbelievably relaxed and sleepy.

No matter WHAT happens, you will be fine. Your nerves will go away the moment the iv hits and none of your current fears or concerns will matter.

You are going to do great and be excited for your next visit!

 

[feelingbetter]

Thank you so much Akal. That is incredibly reassuring. I have had oral sedatives before and they do help me sleep and don't make me feel wonky, but are not so effective before procedures. As I am in the UK they would probably be different from what they give in the US (diazepam in my case). but yes, I realise the IV will be much stronger.

 

[feelingbetter]

@Jackieallen @Akal You were both so right. IV is marvellous and obliterates fear of future work. Thank you so much for your support and encouragement. I remember nothing from being asked to move a little further back in the chair to having gauze put in my mouth and being given painkillers. I had been worried that I'd be all over the place when I awoke but wasn't at all. I was lucid and my husband said I wasn't repeating myself or talking nonsense (any more than usual). I remember the journey home and thinking how I wanted to go back to sleep. Slept on and off for 3 hours and rested all day. No pain or soreness in mouth now. How liberating IV is! I hope this will encourage others as you encouraged me.

 

[Akal]

@feelingbetter congratulations I’m so glad you went through with it and had a great experience!! What a great feeling to be done with it!

 

[dchodge23]

@Akal Can I ask how much the cost is for the IV sedation? I suspect I have a wisdom tooth coming out one of these days...