Question about using valium

[whylime0402]

I'm suppose to have top impressions taken on Monday. I have been through this a few times, unsuccessfully. My dentist wants me to try taking valium before hand, although I'm a little leery of that. I've had sedation dentistry done, but not with valium and I'm not sure what the purpose of it is. My dentist did explain it, by the way, but I was shaky and freaked out by that point, so I don't really remember. Has anyone had any kind of dental work done using it and if so, how was the experience?

 

[Lesley]

I havn't had any problems with having impressions, but I imagine as it is a non painful procedure it's the choking/panicky aspect you are uncomfortable with.

I have had oral valium/diazepam on a number of occasions for other treatment, and it certainly mellows you out to the point where your heart isn't racing, and you don't actually care what is going on. The first time I had it I had crowns fitted and the dentist told me I was smiling up at her, glassy eyed, thoughout the whole procedure. Normally I would have been rigid as a board and probably hyperventilating. It makes you feel like you are walking on air, happy as Larry without a care in the world, so I think it would really help your panicking problem.

Unfortunately, the older I get it doesn't work like that for me anymore for some reason, so I am having IV sedation for treatment these days.

If you are at all panicky about any dental treatment, I would certainly recommend you try the valium. Depending on the time of your appointment you will probably be prescribed 10mg first thing in the morning and another 10mg an hour before the appointment.

Best of luck, well done for being so brave and going through with it, and let us know how you got on.

 

[shell022]

hee hee valium is great
I had it before i have my iv inserted for my sedation. i'm terrified of needles..it was just as good as the iv. i had it in liquid form.. i say go for it

 

[gotkube]

I second what shell says. Valium is a wonderful invention!
I've been prescribed Valium just for cleanings to help take the edge off- and I'm prepared to OD on it tomorrow morning when I got in for my IV sedation for a root canal and fillings if necessary.
Combine the Valium with some soothing music and you got yourself a wonderful mental vacation for a few hours.

 

[Clem]

Valium does not work for me. I cannot seem to get it timed so that the actual nice feelings occur when I need them--the moment he enters the room and gets out the huge needle. I get so anxious that I must metabolize it in seconds. So--no help, I still leave handprints in his chair arm. I'm going nitrous next time, never again will I trust drugs that are here and gone too soon. Plus with nitrous you don't have to have anyone hanging around to drive you.

 

[brit]

Hi Clem
Sorry to hear the valium didn't work out for you. Did you abandon treatment as a result? I haven't got any personal experience of the oral sedation route but the downside is that it is more 'hit and miss' than other methods.
Hopefully nitrous will work better for you, this at least can be adjusted to the correct level to suit each person.
Better luck next time.

 

[whylime0402]

Well, the valium didn't work for me, either. In fact, it had the opposite effect. In stead of being nicely chilled out, I completely panicked. I didn't even make it into the dentist's office. I was so freaked out, my mom ended up calling my doctor to see what was up and if it was something to be concerned about. Turned out I had what was called a paradoxical reaction to it, which only increased my anxiety and causes some excessive aggression. Not to mention, one of the worst headaches I have ever had. So much for that plan.

 

[Clem]

No, I did not abandon treatment, if you mean cancel the appt. I had a nice buzz going until I walked into the office, at which point it began to go away. But I stupidly went in and sat down, thinking we had arranged that he would give me the shot immediately, that maybe there would be enough Valium left to help me get through it, and then things would get better. But no, he was running late, so I sat there another 10 minutes, valium mostly gone, until I couldn't stand it any more and I got up and walked out. Of course, they all came running after me, because that's money walking out the door. I managed, hyperventilating the whole time. Why do dentists think that they can just say "take long deep breaths" and I could actually mange that? Sheesh.

I say again, another way of administering locals, no huge scary needle, no minute after minute of enduring the knowledge of that thing impaling my tender tissues, and I could make with much less trauma.