Getting wisdom tooth removed Oct. 26 w/twilight anesthesia; terrified

[nutfig]

I'm getting my wisdom tooth removed on October 26th under twilight sedation. I'm already feeling extremely nervous and am looking for some words of encouragement, shared stories, etc. I was originally scheduled to have the tooth removed on September 24th, but it was called off after going horribly wrong (you can read about it here: https://www.dentalfearcentral.org/f...ressure-long-story-please-bear-with-me.25599/).

I have severe anxiety and OCD (diagnosed in 2006) which makes me especially edgy in medical situations. I've also had an obsessive fear for several years now of having to be put to sleep for surgery. It's difficult to describe, and it probably sounds silly to most people, but I've just always been extremely uncomfortable with the thought of being quickly put to sleep. I don't like the thought of being rushed to do anything, especially while very nervous.

I'm also worried that I'll "fight" the calm feeling that the anesthesia will undoubtedly give me or that it won't be effective enough at calming me and keeping my blood pressure and pulse down and that the appointment will be a repeat of the first one I mentioned above.

Additionally, many people who have been put under twilight anesthesia mention a feeling of time passing very quickly or being awake but not being able to remember what happened afterwards, which kind of freaks me out, because I've never heard anything else described that way.

I first discovered the cavity in my tooth on June 28th, and the longer I've had to wait for it to be removed the more it has exacerbated my OCD and anxiety. So I was just wondering if anyone who has had twilight anesthesia could tell me about their experiences.

 

[Gordon]

First off, sorry to hear that the dentist was so inflexible, I was always totally happy with escorts/carers sitting in with somebody while they were being sedated if that's what the patient wanted. After the sedation is done they could leave or stay as they wished.

If I was just doing the sedation and not the treatment it was great because it gave me somebody else to talk to.

However, there was absolutely no way to safely sedate you at your appointment in any case, that level of BP >120 diastolic, is way above the guidelines for safety. The dentist had no choice but to abandon the treatment.

It might be worth posting in the support sections for some more responses about the effect of IV sedation...

Some of your points I can sort of answer though.

It's difficult to describe, and it probably sounds silly to most people, but I've just always been extremely uncomfortable with the thought of being quickly put to sleep. I don't like the thought of being rushed to do anything, especially while very nervous.

I'm trying to work out what exactly you mean here? There's no need to rush you up to the point where the liquid is actually put in, if that's the part you're worried about, however there is no choice over how quickly you go to sleep. As soon as the anaesthetic liquid gets to your brain, you're out. It's just the way it works, like switching off the lights.

I'm also worried that I'll "fight" the calm feeling that the anesthesia will undoubtedly give me or that it won't be effective enough at calming me and keeping my blood pressure and pulse down and that the appointment will be a repeat of the first one I mentioned above.

You can try to fight it but it won't work. Again it's not something you can consciously do much about, it's a chemical reaction in your brain.

Additionally, many people who have been put under twilight anesthesia mention a feeling of time passing very quickly or being awake but not being able to remember what happened afterwards, which kind of freaks me out, because I've never heard anything else described that way.

Sure you have, you go to sleep for 8 hrs or so every night but I bet you don't remember much of what happened in that time

Being Scottish, I usually tell patients it's like that feeling when people have been out drinking all night and can't quite remember how you got home and where that traffic cone came from in your bed (or worse) but without the hangover

 

[nutfig]

Thank you so much for your reply. I've been doing deep breathing/meditation exercises to try to keep myself calm thinking about Friday, but it only works a little bit in helping me to relax.

I know that I would feel SO MUCH calmer if the oral surgeon would simply let my mom come back with me at least until I fell asleep, and it would probably keep my blood pressure down.

From what I understand, they don't allow anyone to come back with a patient because of the medical industry's guidelines about keeping the surgical room sterile, but it's not as if my mom is going to touch anything in the surgical room.

My mother and I are close, and just the thought of her being there at least until I fall asleep puts me at so much ease. But I dont think theres anything we could say to change the oral surgeons mind....

 

[Gordon]

I think the best thing to do is to have a frank conversation with the OS in advance, it'll be much easier on them to have a calm patient in the theatre than someone climbing the walls...

I can only tell you what I would have done and what my IV sedation teams would do in the same situation. I can't come over there and slap some sense into your OS, much though I'd quite enjoy doing so!

 

[nutfig]

Thank you for your reply. You sound like a wonderful dentist; I wish mine was as considerate as youTomorrow my mom will do her best to convince them to let her come back with me at least until I am sedated. Like you said, it would be so much easier on them to have a calm patient than one climbing the walls.

Ive been taking an increased dose of my blood pressure medicine for the past few days, so hopefully that will help. And I've been continuing my deep breathing/meditation exercises which are helping me more and more. At this point, I'm feeling much stronger than I thought I would feel. I just keep telling myself that the procedure will literally be over in the blink of an eye. Even if I don't fall asleep I'll have that wonderful medicine to keep me relaxed

I will get through this and by this time tomorrow will be posting my success story

 

[Enarete]

All the best wishes for tomorrow, we are all looking forward to read your success story
Hope your mom will manage to convince them to be able to stay with you.

 

[krlovesherkids777]

Nutfig,

Wishing you well , also .. I really hope they let your mom come back! I know when my daughter got 5 teeth pulled the Oral surgeons let me come back until she got the sedation , and the assistant was so kind to her while I was there so she was quite at peace more than I ever thought she would be.. I just hope yours are as sensitive and helpful. please let us know how it goes and hoping for good quick healing!

And remember when you are there you have a whole lot of people across the world that are there with you in spirit..

 

[Envirochick12887]

I feel for you in every way! I too have anxiety and ocd and am totally anxious and fearful with anything medical. I had my wisdom teeth pulled out, all 4 at once and was under general. It went fine. I felt super tired the rest of the day, and once the numbness wore off I was sore for a bit. But know you will get through it! I hope it goes well!