Root Canal Scheduled...terrified

[copper1310]

Having my first root canal on July 19th and I am terrified. I get panic attacks and feel like I cannot breathe or swallow.

It's on #14 top molar. Can you breathe very well out of your mouth and swallow easiliy?

I'll have a 5mg. Valium. Hoping that helps

 

[comfortdentist]

Please tell the dentist and staff
then tell yourself that if you can make sounds or talk then you must be breathing

 

[FearfulInMA]

I've had 4 root canals. You can breathe and swallow. You can also ask for breaks. What are you most anxious about? I can tell you that all of mine were pain-free. They were all on back molars so they took about 90 min each, but it honestly didn't feel that long. I'm happy to answer any questions you have about what they were like.

 

[copper1310]

Thank you,

I originally typed a much longer thread, but went to edit it and it disappeared!

I don't like having to lay back far. If I could do this sitting up i'd be fine I swear!. It's the feeling of "loss of control" i guess. Reminds me of water boarding! LOL

I always seem to have an urge to swallow even at the dentist. With the dental dam and everything else I feel like it will be impossible. Is it?

If I can breathe i'll be fine. My fears are more irrational I believe, and I know that, it's just when I get into panic mode.

I think the 5mg. of valium will help.

My tooth is dead I found out. It had been bothering me slightly for a couple of months, but that same tooth was always sensitive so I figured it was just getting worse and all I'd need was Sensidyne toothpaste.

I then found out it was cracked because it hurt to bite down. So my dentist was going to do a crown. The temp crown was put on and a week later it started hurting more and more till one night I was up all night in pain

I am ignorant to what caused root canals, I thought they were due to infection from cavities so I always thought i was good to go, because my teeth are good.

I saw a specialist that day and since it felt no cold at all, he told me it was dead due to old fillings and what not. Silver lining he said is cause it's "dead" wont feel pain. However he put me on anti biotics and pain pills and it was heat and cold sensitive for 2 more days now NOTHING

I don't even have to use the pain meds. So I guess it's REALLY dead.

Like I said, I don't fear pain as much as I do the swallowing part and feeling like I'll lose control and panic

5mg Valium better work

 

[copper1310]

oh and I'm a mouth breather...when anxious of panicky I cannot breathe thru my nose. Can I breathe thru my mouth????

 

[FearfulInMA]

You can breathe and swallow. There won't be anything blocking your airway or throat. I find it easier/more comfortable to breath through my nose dying dental work, but, like I said, nothing is stopping you from breathing through your mouth. That said, if you can practice breathing through your nose, it will probably feel more comfortable. As for laying all the way back in The Chair, it's good to remember that you are still in control. There is nothing holding you down. You can also remind yourself that you can leave at any time and that you are not in actual danger though your brain/body may believe otherwise.

 

[copper1310]

I wanted to share with all that I got my RC moved up to today! July 8th.

I found a very compassionate endodontist and I did the "conscious sedation" I took 10mg of Valium last night. One .25 Halcion this morning and another when I got there because I was not relaxed enough. I also got the laughing gas.

It was the most relaxing, calming experience I have ever had! NO PAIN, NO FEAR and I could breathe and SWALLOW even with the rubber dam AND the mouth guard!!!!!!!

Took a little over and hour and it felt like 10 minutes. It's all just a blurry memory, and I came home and slept for 4 hours.

I am so happy I did this and highly recommend it to anyone with extreme fear. I could not be more happy and called the endo my "hero" I got lucky to find an extremely skilled, compassionate guy and my fear is over!

 

[carole]

Please could you not link videos of this kind, I know you are annoyed about your rct not working but the people on here are afraid and nervous enough.

I have not watched the video even though I have had a few rct myself. This kind of linking is very much frawned upon and is not welcome here. The mods will remove it but if you come on in the meantime and it is still there than could you be so kind as to remove it yourself.

 

[takingflight]

Comment/link removed. The user was banned for not following the rules of the forum. A reminder for new members to please read the stickies prior to posting.

 

[sharon]

Copper - thank you for your post and especially your follow up. Like you 1) I can't tolerate lying back in the dental chair, I always say if I could sit up I'd be fine, though in reality I would probably still be a basket case but sitting up would be a step in the right direction, and 2) I have "swallowing issues" especially when lying way back in the dental chair with my mouth full of all that stuff and water dribbling down my throat.

I'm currently looking into oral sedation so I was glad to read what you wrote about this. I usually take 5 mgs of valium before a dental visit but I know that won't be anywhere near enough to help me with my upcoming visits due to a recent tooth injury. Now I get to look forward to an extraction (might be having 2 of them), bone graft, crown/bridge and worst of all dental impressions. It's good to know things went well for you thanks to the little pills you took. I'm afraid of nitrous oxide as I had it once and didn't like it so right now that part isn't an option for me.

Here's a question for you - you said you took .25 mgs in the morning. I don't know if that is a small or large dose, did this knock you out? Can you walk with that much? Can you remember what went on with that much? Sorry for what might be stupid questions but I want to know what to expect and hearing it from someone who has recently been through this is a lot better than hearing a cloned answer from a dentist.

Thanks, Sharon

 

[FearfulInMA]

Sharon - I'm sure that copper will be able to describe her/his experience with Halcion and Valium, but please know that the effects of benzodiazepines (the class of drugs to which they both belong) vary greatly from person to person. If you can, it may be good to try a 'test run' on a day or evening before your appt when you don't have anything to have to do or anywhere you have to be. That way you'll know how it affects you.

 

[copper1310]

I will get back to you all and answer your specific questions in a couple of hours. I have to take my daughter to work. BTW....I feel fantastic today! no pain whatsoever.

 

[copper1310]

Copper - thank you for your post and especially your follow up. Like you 1) I can't tolerate lying back in the dental chair, I always say if I could sit up I'd be fine, though in reality I would probably still be a basket case but sitting up would be a step in the right direction, and 2) I have "swallowing issues" especially when lying way back in the dental chair with my mouth full of all that stuff and water dribbling down my throat. YES, my main issue is thinking I am going to suffocate or not be able to swallow my saliva. I literally panic when impressions are done. Not sure if everyone has this phobia, but it is mine. I was panicking wondering how I would sit still thru an hour and half root canal with the rubber dam and possibly the thing that keeps your mouth open

I'm currently looking into oral sedation so I was glad to read what you wrote about this. I usually take 5 mgs of valium before a dental visit but I know that won't be anywhere near enough to help me with my upcoming visits due to a recent tooth injury. Now I get to look forward to an extraction (might be having 2 of them), bone graft, crown/bridge and worst of all dental impressions. It's good to know things went well for you thanks to the little pills you took. I'm afraid of nitrous oxide as I had it once and didn't like it so right now that part isn't an option for me. d 5 mg. Valium barely takes the edge off for me also. the fist endodontist was only going to give that to me one hour before appt. and I knew i'd never make it!

Here's a question for you - you said you took .25 mgs in the morning. I don't know if that is a small or large dose, did this knock you out? Can you walk with that much? Can you remember what went on with that much? Sorry for what might be stupid questions but I want to know what to expect and hearing it from someone who has recently been through this is a lot better than hearing a cloned answer from a dentist. , Ok..... I took 10mg Valium at bedtime the night before. I slept well , but woke up early anticipating the RC surgery. I took the .25 Halcion one hour before appt. I believe this is the small end of the dose. My new endodontist told me he'd evaluate me once I got there and give me more as needed and possibly the laughing gas. When I got there they put me in the chair and he asked how I was feeling. I told him I was relaxed but not sleepy. I guess he could tell I needed more. He had the nurse lay me back and she ground up another .25mg of Halcion and put it under my tongue. It tasted minty so she must have put something else in it. I layed back and from what I remember, quickly relaxed. He then told me he was giving me the gas. at this point I was VERY RELAXED and it's like "nothing mattered". I could hear everything, respond to commands but SO RELAXED, I cannot explain it. So then he started. I remember getting the novocaine injection in my mouth and telling myself. "okay this is it, Jesus take the wheel, drive this baby home"..LOL I was super relaxed.
Ok, here is the thing. People have written here that you know what is going on at the time but don't remember after. Beforehand, I thought, I dont even wanna know at the TIME! I was so nervous before, I was even nervous about getting drugged up. I can tell you this..... This RC surgery was the easiest thing I think I have ever fretted about. When it was over I was SO happy! My husband said I told him he needs one next because this is so easy! At the time I think I knew what was going on, but now it's ALL ONE BIG BLUR! Honestly! I believe you have to research endodontists. Find one who specialized in "conscious sedation". Ask how long he's been doing RC, look him up on YELP. I did all of these things! I really help this helps your fear. I can honestly say I will have NO fear if I have to do this again. This doc cured my dental phobia! I know it's very nervous leading up to it. I was scared as heck. I cried daily. But trust me, I am the biggest dental phobe. I survived! I did it! The key is finding the right endo to do it. I got very lucky! I live in the San Francisco Bay Area so if anyone needs his name let me know. The fear and anticipation leading up to the procedure is a MILLION times worse than having the drugs and smooth sailing right thru it, barely remembering it!

Thanks, Sharon

 

[copper1310]

Also..... the rubber dam made me feel safer. They put the bite guard in my mouth. I COULD BREATHE AND SWALLOW WITH NO PROBLEM! Normally there is no way, I'd tense up so bad i'd choke. Being this relaxed made it so easy and comforting. I truly felt SAFE, and this is big for us dental phobs. I hope this gives you faith and just do the conscious sedation with meds. It's just WORTH IT