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Scared To Death About Getting Wisdom Teeth Out

  • Thread starter Thread starter Scared2Death712
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Scared2Death712

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Joined
May 21, 2010
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I can't even put how I'm feeling into words right now.

I have Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Panic Disorder as well as a pretty serious fear of the dentist due to an unpleasant experience I had as a child.

I've been reading over the site and urghh I have so many of the common fears lists.

I just got a phone call that I need to have all 4 of my teeth taken out and googled everything that can go wrong (stupid move).

This is the worst time I'm jobless and trying but not finding work, my Grandpa is in the hospital, I moved back home, and have to take care of my grandma. Its just too much.

Here are main fears I really just need to rant to someone who may understand but if can help that would be great too!!

1. Pain- I don't have good pain tolerance and have never had surgery before so I have no idea what to expect.

2. Pills- I read they give you some pretty hardcore pain meds, I can't swallow pills and don't think this is the best time to try to learn.

3. Losing Control- I've never had anesthesia before and while I obviously don't want to know what is going on the though of being out of it and not in control scares me. I also have this long running fear of being aware but unable to tell people that I am aware while under.

4. Not Eating- I constantly teeter between being in the normal to underweight BMI category. If I have to live on liquids for a few days and can't even eat my safe foods I don't know what the consequences will be.

I am currently having no pain or other problems with my teeth.

After getting this call I'm shaking and can't stop crying I have no idea how I am going to survive until and including the surgery.

its just too much for me and i'd honestly rather just live with the consequences of not going
I know that's a horrible attitude but I just can't do this.

Sorry if I sound horrible and whiney I just hope you know where I'm coming from thank you for reading this mess.
 
Hi Scared

Welcome to the forum. [smiley=welcome.gif]

I can understand your fears and will do my best to provide information. Anxiety does its best to keep you afraid of the unknown and to convince you that you are hopeless and helpless. Avoiding the thing you fear makes it worse.

As to your questions

1. The procedure will be painless. You might have some discomfort for a day or two after the procedure. I had my wisdom teeth out at 49 and had almost no problems.

2. The pains pill given are usually ibuprofen as narcotics do not work very well for teeth extractions. Again, taking them for a few days is usually all you will need.

3. If you are having IV sedation control is not a problem. The medications are designed to relax you and work in under a minute. You are closely monitored during the procedure and are very safe. When you wake up you will not have any memory of the procedure. Oral sedation causes you to relax and can fall asleep. You are able to communicate without problems. Both of these are safe and pain free. You will be safe and comfortable.

4. You should be able to eat soft food the next day. You can also use high protein shakes as a supplement. They have high protein and enough calories to sustain you without any weight loss or problems. Ensure is a good one to use.

Remember, tens of thousands of these procedures are done every day without problems, you will be no different. Focus on the positive. Instead of focusing on everything that can go wrong, focus on everything that can go right and how much your life will improve by getting this done. You will be fine. Believe in yourself. You have much more strength and courage than you can imagine.

Blessings :D
 
Hi!

I can relate to some of what you wrote so I'll just share my experiences.

I've never been out under IV sedation, but recently (Wednesday) I had to have surgery and was fine with just novacaine and I didn't feel anything. No pain at all. I can't swallow pills either so they crushed my valium into powder and I had it that way. Afterward I had to take ibuprofen and amoxicillin, but both of those come in liquid form.

I'm not going to lie, I had so much trouble eating the first day and yesterday was pretty bad, too. I'm like you in teetering between normal and underweight. I got a lot of Ensure drinks with high protein and ate whenever I was hungry. Last night (a day and a half post surgery) I was able to eat mac & cheese, woo!

You don't sound whiny at all. We all understand because all of us experience some level of fear. *hugs*
 
When I had my lower wisdom teeth out I was advised to have my upper ones done too, back then I was too scared, so only allowed my lower ones done. The upper ones have pushed the rest of my teeth out of line and have caused problems in the long run.

The pain I had after the extractions was live having a large bruse, yes It hurt but it wasn't a stabbing pain like toothache is, this was much more bareable. My jaw was stiff and achey, but it did wear off in a few days.

Now I wish I had the uppers ones taken out as well. It wasn't as bad as I feared and it would have been so much better.
 
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