How can I manage post visit trauma?

[Feathers]

I've had the fear since childhood. Now in my 50s and requiring frequent treatment I'm really struggling. Although I am terrified, I do make myself go but I need to take annual leave to visit the dentist because I'm in no fit state to go back to work after the appointment. Yesterday I had an extraction and reacted quite severely to it. Crying, uncontrollable shaking, confused thinking, physical exhaustion. I am a bit better today but not ready for the everyday yet. Can anyone suggest how to speed up the recovery process. I accept that I'm going to experience the fear whenever I go, I just want to be able to get over it and carry on like a normal person ☺

 

[Martha55]

I could have written your post because I am in a similar situation. Since this past December I have had an extraction, a bridge and a root canal. Last week I had my appt. to finish up the bridge and to have a back molar extracted (dentist wanted to do another root canal but I just can't go through it again) and the minute I sat down in the chair I started shaking and panicking and just had to leave. My next appt. is the 19th of this month and here I sit with a toothache, needing to get this stupid molar extracted and I just feel traumatized by what I have already gone through. You would think since I have already had multiple procedures done that I would be better able to cope, instead I am getting worse!

The dentist offers sedation, but I am too fearful to use it. He prescribed valium, but I am too fearful to use it as well. I just white knuckle everything and I really think it just imprints fear into your brain.

I am 55 years old and feel pretty ashamed of myself. But the fear is overwhelming.

 

[Feathers]

Hi Martha55, I'm feeling everything you say. Personally I found root canal much less traumatic than extraction, but these things and experiences are so personal and can be random. I do understand your reluctance to accept sedation however I was once prescribed diazepam by a dentist which I readily took. Unfortunately it had absolutely no effect for me and from what I've read, I think my anxiety levels are interfering with the meds. I had to ask for a number of extra injections for the extraction which, although had some effect, did not numb me completely. In the end I just let her get on with it because I just needed to be out of there. That was Friday and I started feeling better today. Like I said, I accept I'm just going to have this with every visit, I just need to find a way to get back to normal functioning more quickly. I really wish you strength and serenity for your appointment. You do have it because you've already done it. Try not to feel foolish, hard I know, but they have seen it all before. I was told on Friday I was doing better than I think, amidst the shaking & wailing and I choose to believe that's true. Deep breath Martha55 you can so do this

 

[FearfulInMA]

I find it's helpful to have something concrete to look forward to after appointments. That way, I can try to force myself back to 'normal' as quickly as possible. Kind of a fake it 'till you make it approach

 

[Feathers]

I find it's helpful to have something concrete to look forward to after appointments. That way, I can try to force myself back to 'normal' as quickly as possible. Kind of a fake it 'till you make it approach

Thank you for responding Fearful I will try giving that a go. I expect to have another extraction within the next 6 months so I need every resource I can muster.

 

[Martha55]

Hi Martha55, I'm feeling everything you say. Personally I found root canal much less traumatic than extraction, but these things and experiences are so personal and can be random. I do understand your reluctance to accept sedation however I was once prescribed diazepam by a dentist which I readily took. Unfortunately it had absolutely no effect for me and from what I've read, I think my anxiety levels are interfering with the meds. I had to ask for a number of extra injections for the extraction which, although had some effect, did not numb me completely. In the end I just let her get on with it because I just needed to be out of there. That was Friday and I started feeling better today. Like I said, I accept I'm just going to have this with every visit, I just need to find a way to get back to normal functioning more quickly. I really wish you strength and serenity for your appointment. You do have it because you've already done it. Try not to feel foolish, hard I know, but they have seen it all before. I was told on Friday I was doing better than I think, amidst the shaking & wailing and I choose to believe that's true. Deep breath Martha55 you can so do this

Thank you so much for your kind words. I read a quote somewhere last night that has really resonated with me today, "This is my mountain", which in other words means that these fears are something that one must approach in order to get over it and get to the other side of the valley. The mountain feels overwhelming, and we wonder how in the world we are going to climb up it, especially since we feel like we aren't prepared...but in actuality maybe we don't need to be...maybe we just need to lie back and trust the process and believe that we can make it to the other side.

But I am still frightened and I find that the anticipatory anxiety is even worse (usually) than the actual procedure...I just keep telling myself that all I need to do is put one foot in front of another...step by step.

Today I drove to my dentists office even though I knew they were closed. I just got out of the car and stood by the door, waited five minutes and then got back in the car and drove away. I probably looked rather pathetic but I just wanted to practice at least driving there...ugh....I am feeling rather pathetic!

 

[Martha55]

Hi Martha55, I'm feeling everything you say. Personally I found root canal much less traumatic than extraction, but these things and experiences are so personal and can be random. I do understand your reluctance to accept sedation however I was once prescribed diazepam by a dentist which I readily took. Unfortunately it had absolutely no effect for me and from what I've read, I think my anxiety levels are interfering with the meds. I had to ask for a number of extra injections for the extraction which, although had some effect, did not numb me completely. In the end I just let her get on with it because I just needed to be out of there. That was Friday and I started feeling better today. Like I said, I accept I'm just going to have this with every visit, I just need to find a way to get back to normal functioning more quickly. I really wish you strength and serenity for your appointment. You do have it because you've already done it. Try not to feel foolish, hard I know, but they have seen it all before. I was told on Friday I was doing better than I think, amidst the shaking & wailing and I choose to believe that's true. Deep breath Martha55 you can so do this

Hi Feathers,

I too feel the absolute exhaustion after an appointment. Three months ago when I had my root canal I came home and slept for three hours. My entire body ached like I had the flu. I know that when I am in that chair my body is rigid...I look like I have been dead for three days!

I think to some degree that is where the trauma comes in to play. We go to the dentist but it's such a traumatic experience because of what we are feeling, and what we are experiencing. Oddly enough the last dental appointment I had the office was having a birthday party for one of the staff. They asked me if I wanted a piece of cake, and since I was still in the waiting room I accepted. I had literally taken one bite of cake when they called me back in to the torture chamber (oops...I mean the room) and I was still holding that stupid piece of cake. The hygienist actually wrapped the piece of cake up and handed it to me when I was leaving after having the root canal (after each procedure I practically run out of the office because I am so eager to get home and collapse) and so anyhow...later that evening I was in the kitchen and I looked over and there on the counter sat that stupid piece of cake. Normally I love sweets (as evidenced by my teeth) but just seeing that cake made me sick...I felt anxiety, shakiness, nausea...because I associated it with the dentist office.

I even go so far as wondering what to wear when I go to my appointment and actually associate a stupid pink shirt as being lucky. It's pretty amazing what a deep seated phobia can do to a normally rational human being!