My appointment is in 9 days, and every day the fear triples in size

[Fuzzypenguin0992]

I am 32 years old, and there has not been a single point in my life where I did not suffer from bad dental anxiety, I got my first filling at the age of 6, and everything has gone downhill since then... I have 5 teeth that had been pulled previously. usually alone. I knew my teeth had gotten really bad, About 8 years ago, I decided it was time again. and with a lot of pressure from a good friend, and a painful tooth. I went to a dentist who was recommended to me. It was not a great experience. He did pull the painful tooth and then created a care plan that totaled over $22,000, There was no way I could have afforded that and never went back. 8 years have now passed. The anxiety has kept me away all these years. But I know if I keep putting it off, things will only worsen.
So gave in and went for a dental consultation. I had a wax fitting for some denture pieces earlier today, and in 9 in 9 days I have an appointment with an oral surgeon to have 13 teeth pulled.(2 of which are impacted wisdom teeth) The fact that I have no idea what to expect is making the fear 1 million times worse. It set in when I got home from tonight's appointment. I sobbed for almost an hour. I will not be able to ask the oral surgeon any questions until the appointment itself. I have had different experiences with each time I have had a tooth pulled. some were barely sore a few hours later, and some I couldn't eat for days. But that is a single tooth. I don't know where to begin to look for realistic information about what the recovery process might be like, or the length of time that is most commonly seen
I know about risk factors such as dry sockets and bone fragments popping through. There are so many other things that can be found, out there. There is no way for me to know what things are 5% chance or 75% chance.
I am so very very nervous about the pain that may follow the procedure. Dental pain is one area in which my pain tolerance is not very high.
I did reach out to my dental office. I have been emailing back and forth with her a bit over the last few weeks. I shared some of my concerns, and she is trying to help answer what questions she can. I wish I knew how to find these answers. I am trying to avoid directly googling things. That tends to just make my anxiety worse...

 

[annacelata]

Awe, I ve been down this same road, all I can tell you that it does get better, mine all became abscess and I had 19 extractions. Ask for pain meds, rest all you can, it LL all be behind you.