New here and really scared

[ScaredyCat22]

Way to go Yuki! and good luck at your appointment. I too am expecting to be told that I either need root canal or extraction.
You managed to say everything that I wish I could get a dental office to know that I feel. I need to find the dragon inside me who can speak up and get the words out without tears.

 

[Yuki]

Way to go Yuki! and good luck at your appointment. I too am expecting to be told that I either need root canal or extraction.
You managed to say everything that I wish I could get a dental office to know that I feel. I need to find the dragon inside me who can speak up and get the words out without tears.

Well, also, when i phoned them, I made sure I was lying in my comfy bed, with all my points written down. My doggy was beside me ( best anti-anxiety med ever), and no word of a lie, I had a glass of wine. Then I just plowed through it.
The trick I think, is that as humans we have a frontal lobe. That's the part telling you that yes, you need to seek dental help. It is good for you. It's a healthy, sound choice.
But our Anxiety, the beast within, or as I like to call it; " My primitive reptilian brain" is the back portion. Our reptilian brains have had a responsibility since the dawn of humanity to keep us alive. so when we anticipate something will hurt us, make us upset, or take us to dangerous places, that Reptilian brain goes into high alert and rages at us, throwing every crazy thought, recalling every painful memory it can to convince us to get out of harms way.
So our logical brain know the dentist is a sound decision
Reptilian: " NO NO NO NO You are going to die".

And that's what we're fighting. It's so hard. The very thing that's supposed to keep us safe in the end, actually causes us harm.
But maybe you could look up dentists as if you were looking up a Vet for your pet, or looking a cosmetic surgeon. And believe me, I KNOW it's terrible because I went thru the internet and saw the dental ads and went; " Evill *click*...evil ...*click* SUPER EVIL* *click.. Money grabbing..*"

But I swear, if I can do it, anyone can. Remind your reptilian brain that you can't get killed the safety of your own bed or living room while making a phone call.

Im typing so much to you because I'm terrified atm. I have 30 mins until I leave. Time to take my first clonezepam.

 

[ScaredyCat22]

I just want you to know that for someone who is so afraid I think you are very strong to go through with it and to even show up for your appointment. Also you have helped me a lot, and next time I have to call I will be doing it while holding on to my cat and wearing my dragon mask. Good luck to you today. Be the dragon! you can do this!

 

[Spike 1969]

Hello there ScaredyCat and Yuki

Just Popping inTo say a big well done to both of you, that's truly amazing

Hoping you both get on ok.

 

[ScaredyCat22]

Thank you Spike. I got the call and the text yesterday to confirm my appointment for Monday. I managed not to cancel. There's no turning back now since my husband is taking the day out of work to bring me. After another sleepless night last night I know I have to get help for this tooth or get rid of it.

 

[Mugz]

Hi ScaredyCat!

I'm so proud of you for not cancelling and know how hard it is to resist that urge and force yourself to go. I really do. I think the important piece to focus on is how much you deserve to be pain free and that this is sadly the only way that can happen. I'm sending you brave thoughts and "cybercourage" to get through the weekend and the anxiety leading to Monday. You WILL get through it...there are better days ahead...hang in there...you aren't alone.

 

[Yuki]

I got through my first appointment Scaredy. It was freaky, but I survived.

Best of luck on Monday! I have faith you can do it. Just think of the relief to get the ball rolling.

 

[ScaredyCat22]

Thanks everyone. In less than 24 hours my appointment should hopefully be over with and I should at least know what's wrong. This awful throbbing pain screams abscess at me, but I don't see anything on my gum yet so who knows.
I'm glad you got through your appointment Yuki.
Mugz you and I must venture out of the peaceful camp dontwannago into unknown territory but I have faith that we will both get through this. Maybe in time to celebrate a painless new year.

 

[Mugz]

That is something wonderful to hold on to...a painless new year!! As far as the pain you are having, abscesses can be brewing under the gums, in the bone and teeth and that is in my experience when the pain is really bad. once it tunnels out and you have a bump on the outside of the gum the pressure and pain seem to lessen a little. So just because you can't see it doesn't mean you don't have it brewing. You are doing the right thing to go and let them figure it out. Your treatment may be easier now than it would be if you wait longer so take our cyberhands....give a squeeze and go...much as you'd rather not. We are here for you. You will get through it. You will.

 

[ScaredyCat22]

Thank you Mugz
Do abscesses that can't be seen in your mouth show up on an xray? I'm scared there will be no concrete proof positive diagnosis. I don't want them to just start root canaling teeth willy nilly

I went grocery shopping this morning and stared longingly at the boxes of cereal. Would you believe that is what I miss the most? Not candies and chips or nuts but crunchy cereal in ice cold milk. Neither of which I can have. It's luke warm mushy foods for me these days.

 

[FearfulInMA]

I've not had visible abscess or anything on x-Rays for any of my RCTs. They do tests on the teeth - cold, hot, etc. and they can also tell that way if the tooth is dying. The other thing is that, if you're in pain and nothing is helping it, a RCT may still be the most appropriate treatment,

Good luck tomorrow!

 

[Yuki]

I bet the tooth is dying. It was weird for me, with my back molar. I went from not much pain, to pain for one hour when it was super sensitive to hot and cold, and throbbed a bit. But it never swelled or anything.

Then the pain abruptly stopped. By the time I got to my first dental appointment the next day ( the one I was terrified about here was my third) I actually wasn't in pain because the nerve had died.
I bet they will take Xrays, look at it but be careful not to aggravate the pain, then numb you up.

If you're really anxious you might want to ask them if they can use Nitrous Oxide. They out a mask over your face and you just breathe. It helps calm you down. But if you;re interested in that, might want to tell them up front.

Best of luck tomorrow!

 

[Mugz]

Good luck to you today, ScaredyCat! Sending strength your way with cyber hands and tissues too. You'll get through it....you will. Hang in there and post when you can today. Deep breaths.....

 

[ScaredyCat22]

Thanks everyone. 4 hours til my appointment. It's too late to back out now. I got very little sleep last night and when I did manage to doze off I had a heck of a nightmare about crunching all of my teeth and all of them breaking. Those tests to check if the nerve is dying sound terrifying to me. I already know that cold hitting that tooth makes me want to hit the ceiling. warm and hot is fine. I hope they don't torture me too long with cold. even room temperature mouth wash is too cold for me. anything below body temperature makes me want to climb out of my skin.
I will update this afternoon.

 

[lost]

Just a quick message to wish you luck today with your appointment and will be keeping an eye out later for an update

Take care

Lost

 

[Yuki]

@Scaredy

I think they only did that test with me because I said the pain was gone. So they tested it on a healthy tooth ( where I could feel the cold),and then they confirmed the nerve died in the other one.

I doubt they would put the cold on the hurting tooth. I bet they will just look at it and freeze it. Which might give you some desperately needed pain relief.

 

[ScaredyCat22]

I'm home. I just got here! Who'd have thought this would turn into a 2 hour appointment. oh my goodness.
I am still numb so I have no idea how my tooth really feels. They listened very patiently to my whole story before they even looked in my mouth. They took an xray and had me bite on something and do not believe my nerve is dying. They said the nerve was just hyper something from the trauma and that I should go ahead and get a crown. He didn't think it needed a root canal but I guess that is still a possible option for the future. He said it is possible there may be a crack but he didn't see one by eye or by xray. and that because my pain doesn't increase with biting he doesn't think it is cracked or abscessed. He said it was just very irritated and that if it was his tooth he would crown it but that it was up to me if I wanted to just plow ahead with the root canal. I opted to try the crown first and he said he could do it right then and there. The prep was a LOT of drilling and it was loud and scary and at one point hurt a little but he stopped right away when I said so and gave me another shot. He talked to me the whole time and told me how far along we were and how much longer it would be and it made me less nervous.
I didn't have to have impressions made. He took 3D pictures of my teeth and put that in the computer which generated an image of my crown which then went to a machine right there in his office that made my permanent crown. I think waiting for the crown to be made was the longest part of my appointment.

After it was finished he cemented it on and checked my bite and had to file it down a bit. He said I may be a little sore but should have no pain at all and that I am to call him if I have any problems with it. So please, fingers crossed that when this Novocain wears off I have no pain or cold sensitivity.

 

[Yuki]

Wow, thats really cool he could do it all in one appointment! Even if you do have a bit of discomfort afterwards, Im sure you can take ibuprofen or something and it will help. Also, it's nice to know it will be temporary.

So awesome! Good on ya! Im so happy you got it done

 

[ScaredyCat22]

Thank you so much the support I have gotten here has really helped me venture out to "the chair"
I am praying this works and I don't need a root canal. I am trying to trust in his judgement that the nerve is not dying but really this pain has been pretty severe and I wouldn't think it could just be acting up from the filling all this time. oh well, only time will tell I guess. still numb! I am more numb now than I was in the chair. It is a relief in a way to be so numb because it's a break from the pain I've been having

 

[ScaredyCat22]

Novocain has finally worn off and I am sad to say I still have some pain and extreme sensitivity to cold. I spoke to the dentist and he says this can be normal and it should start to feel a little better each day. I hope so. I really don't want a root canal.