Pianimo
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jan 15, 2011
- Messages
- 536
- Location
- UK
So, I had my first sedation appointment today. And it went ok! Went well, even. My dentist (D3, for those who've been keeping up!) came to walk me through, introduced me to the nurse and sedation nurse, then patiently answered my A4 page-long list of anxiety-fuelled questions. I cried a bit at this point, but the nurse (N) gave me a tissue, and I managed to hold it together. I also have severe IBS-D, made worse be anxiety, and she knew I'd had a bad morning, so she asked me a few times during the prep stages if I needed to *ahem* 'go' , and said I could ask at any point during the treatment, and they'd help me there and back (I didn't need to, thankfully!)
She had some bother with the IV - she tried twice on one arm, and got it in but apparently the vein was too close to the skin to manouevre it properly (I didn't know you could be too slim for an IV to work...all that time on Weight Watchers for nothing! ). So she then tried the other arm, and that was ok. I don't mind needles, but this all hurt a bit, especially when she was trying make it work in the first arm. The sedation nurse (SD) held my hand and talked to me all this time, and D3 explained what has happening, and that it wasn't my fault - I was physically shaking from when I sat in the chair, and quite badly at this point, so I was worried it was me.
Once the sedation kicked in, I thought I was still aware of everything, but there was definitely a time lapse - one of the next things I remember doing is saying I was cold (they'd told me to tell them), and they went and fetched my coat from my Dad to put over me, and he said that was well over an hour after I went in! I'm not sure whether I was 'in and out' or out for ages then back, but I don't remember the LA injections at all, and SN says I went to sleep for quite a while (my hand went limp). She was holding my hand/sometimes stroking my hair all the way through, and I really felt safe and looked after. In fact, all this care was just done as if it was completely normal, so I never felt silly or burdensome for being so nervous or needing the support.
I remember bit of drilling and washing and other feelings; each time D3 told me what I was going to feel and taste etc before it happened. I also remember gagging a little once, and asking to swallow, which they let me. SD said afterwards that D3 gave me lots of breaks, and also quickly worked out she could help me gag-wise by stopping whenever she could to let me swallow, so she did. I felt no pain whatsoever at any point, and they were attentive to every groan/mumble I uttered. I'd brought my mp3 player with me, and they taped the earphones on so they woudn't fall out, and even pressed play for me, as the sedation obviously kicked in before I got a chance!
...Actually, I'm really glad I've come to write this, as it's reminded me how amazing today has been! The thing is, after being sooo nervous beforehand, I kind of expected to feel really amazing afterwards...and I don't. It's not physical pain (I've had an ibuprofen for a bit of soreness, from the LA I think, plus my 'wrong' arm hurts a bit, but that's all). Obviosuly I am tired, but I didn't anticipate still feeling so down in the dumps! I think it's mostly two things:
1. Unfortunately, my other two MAJOR worry sources still exist (the uncertainty regarding my university extension application, and the absolutely dreaded hosptial procedure on Monday...just been in tears over this again!)
2. I'd been told by D1 (first dentist I saw, a different practice) that all my teeth were saveable. D2 confirmed this. PM gave me my treatment plan, echoing what had D2 said to me, stating I need 1 root canal, 5 fillings, and gum treatment. Today's appointment was supposed to be for the root canal, and two fillings on the same side, if time. However, when I got there, D3 said she wasn't sure she was going to be able to do a successful root canal on that tooth. I'm not sure what can have changed, as I've had no new x-rays, and no-one has looked in my mouth since I saw D2. After she'd finished today she said she got most of the dirt and nerve out (or something like that, I was still woozy!), and has put a filling in, but it's temporary. I need to come back and discuss, possibly with their endodontic specialist, whether to do a root canal or just have the tooth replaced. This came as a complete shock to me, and feels like a setback - today was supposed to be the hardest but, with 'easier' appointments from hereon in. Now I may be facing an extraction...and I'm also back to not knowing quite what's going on again. I'm sure she's told me the truth, which I need to know, so it's not her fault, but I suppose I thought I'd already dealt with all the truth I was going to have to face!
Anyway, I'm sorry for such a looong post (congratulations to anyone who's made it down to here!!) It's been a help to me to write it as it brings home to me that I really have achieved something massive today, even if emotionally I don't feel it! Because, I really have achieved something...haven't I?! (Tentative )
She had some bother with the IV - she tried twice on one arm, and got it in but apparently the vein was too close to the skin to manouevre it properly (I didn't know you could be too slim for an IV to work...all that time on Weight Watchers for nothing! ). So she then tried the other arm, and that was ok. I don't mind needles, but this all hurt a bit, especially when she was trying make it work in the first arm. The sedation nurse (SD) held my hand and talked to me all this time, and D3 explained what has happening, and that it wasn't my fault - I was physically shaking from when I sat in the chair, and quite badly at this point, so I was worried it was me.
Once the sedation kicked in, I thought I was still aware of everything, but there was definitely a time lapse - one of the next things I remember doing is saying I was cold (they'd told me to tell them), and they went and fetched my coat from my Dad to put over me, and he said that was well over an hour after I went in! I'm not sure whether I was 'in and out' or out for ages then back, but I don't remember the LA injections at all, and SN says I went to sleep for quite a while (my hand went limp). She was holding my hand/sometimes stroking my hair all the way through, and I really felt safe and looked after. In fact, all this care was just done as if it was completely normal, so I never felt silly or burdensome for being so nervous or needing the support.
I remember bit of drilling and washing and other feelings; each time D3 told me what I was going to feel and taste etc before it happened. I also remember gagging a little once, and asking to swallow, which they let me. SD said afterwards that D3 gave me lots of breaks, and also quickly worked out she could help me gag-wise by stopping whenever she could to let me swallow, so she did. I felt no pain whatsoever at any point, and they were attentive to every groan/mumble I uttered. I'd brought my mp3 player with me, and they taped the earphones on so they woudn't fall out, and even pressed play for me, as the sedation obviously kicked in before I got a chance!
...Actually, I'm really glad I've come to write this, as it's reminded me how amazing today has been! The thing is, after being sooo nervous beforehand, I kind of expected to feel really amazing afterwards...and I don't. It's not physical pain (I've had an ibuprofen for a bit of soreness, from the LA I think, plus my 'wrong' arm hurts a bit, but that's all). Obviosuly I am tired, but I didn't anticipate still feeling so down in the dumps! I think it's mostly two things:
1. Unfortunately, my other two MAJOR worry sources still exist (the uncertainty regarding my university extension application, and the absolutely dreaded hosptial procedure on Monday...just been in tears over this again!)
2. I'd been told by D1 (first dentist I saw, a different practice) that all my teeth were saveable. D2 confirmed this. PM gave me my treatment plan, echoing what had D2 said to me, stating I need 1 root canal, 5 fillings, and gum treatment. Today's appointment was supposed to be for the root canal, and two fillings on the same side, if time. However, when I got there, D3 said she wasn't sure she was going to be able to do a successful root canal on that tooth. I'm not sure what can have changed, as I've had no new x-rays, and no-one has looked in my mouth since I saw D2. After she'd finished today she said she got most of the dirt and nerve out (or something like that, I was still woozy!), and has put a filling in, but it's temporary. I need to come back and discuss, possibly with their endodontic specialist, whether to do a root canal or just have the tooth replaced. This came as a complete shock to me, and feels like a setback - today was supposed to be the hardest but, with 'easier' appointments from hereon in. Now I may be facing an extraction...and I'm also back to not knowing quite what's going on again. I'm sure she's told me the truth, which I need to know, so it's not her fault, but I suppose I thought I'd already dealt with all the truth I was going to have to face!
Anyway, I'm sorry for such a looong post (congratulations to anyone who's made it down to here!!) It's been a help to me to write it as it brings home to me that I really have achieved something massive today, even if emotionally I don't feel it! Because, I really have achieved something...haven't I?! (Tentative )