Huge procedure this week

[HCW]

I have a pretty severe dental phobia mostly due to a bad gag reflex that is triggered by stress. I have a huge procedure this week consisting of extractions (a couple teeth and a lot under the gums, a big bridge, absesses being cleaned out, a couple fillings and bone grafting on multiple sites. Dentist said it will likely take 4-5 hours. The IV sedation costs too much so I am doing oral sedation. I have been ok until tonight. They prescribed diazepam (10mg) the night before and will give me triazalam and hydroxyzine in office. I am scared to death that it wont have any effect on me and I will have a horrible gag reflex and be fighting my way through it at least half the time. He is leaving some to give me if needed half way through. I am going to a cosmetic dentist that specializes in implants and oral surgery. He is the owner of a relatively big dental practice in my area so I am putting my trust in him but still beyond anxious about the appt and healing. I am hoping to hear from people that have taken this combo of drugs (at least the 2 in office), have an extreme anxiety and possibly had a lengthy procedure. Do you remember how you felt during? If you had to take another dose, do you remember becoming more alert? Thank you so much for reading!

 

[letsconnect]

Hi HCW, while I have never tried triazolam myself, there have been quite a few people here on the forum from the U.S. who have described it as a miracle drug. You may find this story from last year reassuring:

L

Thread 'After 20 years I've finally conquered my fear - triazolam is magic!'

Jan 19, 2025

First off I'd like to thank everyone on this forum for sharing their stories. Particularly Gordon for their input on infections not being as life threatening as the rest of the internet would have you believe and that not all dentists are evil.

My phobia started around 20 years ago when I was a kid. Needles and dental anesthesia have crippled me in fear and made me avoid the dentist since then. I had a really crappy dentist as a kid that was incredibly callous and made each experience as terrible as they could be. Recently I've been in therapy and part of that exercise was to research...

• licnep
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• Forum: Share Your Success Story!

Wishing you all the best for your appointment

(P.S. the drugs you mentioned are highly effective for reducing a hyperactive gag reflex )

 

[HCW]

@letsconnect Thank you SO much for sending that thread! I know my anxiety is way worse cause I build it up. I had an intraoral scan about a month ago and was fine until I got in the chair and the dentist had the wand in his hand. I started hyperventilating. But he stepped back and talked me through it calmly. I calmed down and closed my eyes and it was literally nothing! All that anxiety to not even gag once! So reassuring that its a good combo for a hypersensitive gag reflex as well. Just got to try to to overthink it before Thursday, just go to my appt and get it over with!