K
k8616
Junior member
- Joined
- Dec 2, 2025
- Messages
- 2
- Location
- Ohio
Hello, I need some reassurance about an upcoming extraction I have that’s causing me a lot of anxiety. Tooth #22 is a failed root canal and abscessed with an infection. I have severe dental anxiety, along with POTS, asthma, PTSD, and health anxiety as well. The sensation of dental numbing is terrifying for me and somehow makes me feel claustrophobic. It triggers my fight or flight panic even when I’m given shots without epinephrine.
I have an appointment coming up in a few weeks with a dentist coming into the office that apparently specializes in extractions. The appointment is literally on a Sunday morning with a chill, welcoming holistic office and I was prescribed 10 mg of diazepam. On paper…I should have nothing to fear.
Yet my mind is racing with all the “what ifs.” I’m afraid it will take multiple injections to get my tooth properly numb since the infection is so bad and fearing I’ll end up with LAST or some sort of rare heart issue or allergic reaction. (Not allergic to the numbing agents but terrified I’ll somehow develop a new allergy to them since I have developed other new allergies in adulthood.)
I’m afraid the diazepam will either not do enough for me or make me more anxious due to feeling out of control or somehow give me its own dangerous side effects. (GA is too expensive and I’m too nervous about those risks.) I’m afraid the numbing sensation will cause panic that trumps over the drug’s calming effects and that it will be a difficult tooth to extract and that the pressure I’ll feel will be traumatizing. All these spiraling thoughts have me feeling beyond hopeless and it’s literally just over a single tooth.
I have an appointment coming up in a few weeks with a dentist coming into the office that apparently specializes in extractions. The appointment is literally on a Sunday morning with a chill, welcoming holistic office and I was prescribed 10 mg of diazepam. On paper…I should have nothing to fear.
Yet my mind is racing with all the “what ifs.” I’m afraid it will take multiple injections to get my tooth properly numb since the infection is so bad and fearing I’ll end up with LAST or some sort of rare heart issue or allergic reaction. (Not allergic to the numbing agents but terrified I’ll somehow develop a new allergy to them since I have developed other new allergies in adulthood.)
I’m afraid the diazepam will either not do enough for me or make me more anxious due to feeling out of control or somehow give me its own dangerous side effects. (GA is too expensive and I’m too nervous about those risks.) I’m afraid the numbing sensation will cause panic that trumps over the drug’s calming effects and that it will be a difficult tooth to extract and that the pressure I’ll feel will be traumatizing. All these spiraling thoughts have me feeling beyond hopeless and it’s literally just over a single tooth.
We are glad you are hear, Just reading this now , I do agree with Dr Daniel, that can bring a level of relief if you can talk to the dentist and have their number or email for reassurance or questions. I hope you give yourself Alot of credit for being courageous enough to walk forward and even make the appointment despite your anxiety. I know tomorrow is Sunday, so if you can't talk to them, know you are in control and tell them to go slow because you are anxious and that you need reassurance along the way . Take it step by step. Let us know how it goes. I know I take even a way lower dose of Lorazepam and it really gets me chill but not out of control. It's the one drug I feel comfortable with and know I don't get any weird affects. I hope it all goes well..definately use this forum for encouragement a long the way!
, and thanks so much for the update!
