Sedation and panic disorder

[trisha49]

Has anybody on hear that may have panic disorder or bad anxiety ever went to the dentist without having sedation done or anything and did okay?

 

[griffinej5]

I've never had sedation at the dentist because I'm afraid of being sedated. When I've been fully sedated for surgeries, I've always woke up and vomitted. I hate that. I also don't trust dentists, so I'm afraid to not know what is going on. I had Xanax once for an MRI where I needed contrast, and freaked out even worse than usual when the nurse missed on putting in the iv for the contrast.

 

[Deejay]

Apart from a whiff of Happy Air and so phobic of going to the dentist my teeth virtually all went bad I have this year had 17 teeth out with just local and a whiff of happy air when getting the front ones done, happy healthy smile now and really proud of myself, still don't like getting work done but no longer fear the visit

 

[griffinej5]

I had to run out earlier. They tried gas on me one time. It didn't work. I don't recall why, possibly because I am nearly always congested, but I really have no idea. As I mentioned to my new dentist yesterday, when I started going there 2 years ago, I used to cry, and gag, and shake pretty much the entire time. The first few times I'd throw up when I left. It's great when you puke on the side of your car while driving at highway speeds. I'd sometimes shake so bad that the dentist had to stop for a bit, and wait until it passed to keep going. The last few times I haven't been shaking or crying, but I get chills occasionally. I'm still gagging, and sometimes vomiting on stuff, so maybe that's not totally out of fear. The last dentist I had (I'm going to a dental school) used me as an exam patient, and the new one is going to use me. I wasn't quite sure that my previous dentist was in her right mind wanting to use me for this, and she told me when I questioned it that they fail if the patient freaks out, but also that she was confident I wouldn't. Apparently the new one must believe I won't freak out. I had a ton of work done because of my avoiding for years, so being forced to go in a bunch of times in to get this all sorted out probably helped me get over it.

 

[kittykat]

Try the nitrous oxide again. Ask for a nasal decongestant and start taking it a few days before your procedure. This helped me. I took Flonase and instantly the nitrous worked. I suffer from panic attacks and the nitrous made me feel like I didn't even care. My heart stopped racing and I didn't even shake at all.

 

[griffinej5]

I've been okay recently to the point where it's not even something I'm concerned over anymore. In terms of behaviors, I don't look like I'm panicking really anymore. However, my blood pressure says I'm panicking. I also react to decongestants and they make my blood pressure go up. My doctor doesn't like me to use decongestants unless it's absolutely necessary because of this, and the dentist doesn't like me to do it either. I tried it a few times because I had read somewhere that it may help with gagging.
I don't really have high blood pressure, I've had it measured by my sister who is a nurse at home when I wasn't panicking, and my doctor has had me stay there for a bit and kept doing it periodically until I calmed down.

 

[Needles]

Has anybody on hear that may have panic disorder or bad anxiety ever went to the dentist without having sedation done or anything and did okay?

I've had Panic disorder for years but manage the dentist by taking serepax before I go.I always get small fillings done without the needle but biggies are a problem as I can no longer cope with needles and am thinking of getting gas in future.

 

[trisha49]

I've had Panic disorder for years but manage the dentist by taking serepax before I go.I always get small fillings done without the needle but biggies are a problem as I can no longer cope with needles and am thinking of getting gas in future.

I did take a valium and it took the edge off, i was a mess before i took it, but then i did better

 

[BostonBelle03]

I suffer from panic attacks and there are certain things that I can tolerate at the dentist without sedation, like cleanings and simple fillings, but anything more involved or anything with a dental dam (!!!!!) makes my heart beat rise and I find that I am better off using sedation, either oral, inhalation or IV, depending on the severity of the appointment. I will admit, I still don't like going for cleanings or fillings, but I can get through them without medication now, but it has taken me awhile to work up to this point. I think one of the biggest things is finding a dentist that is caring and knows your fears and is respectful of them.

 

[tamlyn]

I've never had sedation at the dentist because I'm afraid of being sedated. When I've been fully sedated for surgeries, I've always woke up and vomitted. I hate that. I also don't trust dentists, so I'm afraid to not know what is going on. I had Xanax once for an MRI where I needed contrast, and freaked out even worse than usual when the nurse missed on putting in the iv for the contrast.

I'm the same way. People think Im nuts, that I'd rather be awake and numbed than be knocked out, lol The thought scares me to death. No thanks!

 

[Thunderbird]

Hey,
if you aren't going to use any form of chemical sedation, then I strongly suggest that you bring someone you trust along with you. Even if they just sit at your feet and put a hand on your leg to reassure you or if you can see and/or them.

Good luck!

 

[sincitysoul]

I suffer from severe panic disorder, so I know where you're coming from! There was three years when I refused to go to the dentist - and didn't start again until one of my teeth was completely broken down. However, I loved my new dentist from the get-go - he is incredibly patient and will wait until I am sure I am completely numb (even if that means it takes 10, 20, 30 minutes) and if I need to sit up in the middle of a procedure (he sits patients back rather far), he does so immediately.

I think when it comes down to having anxiety/panic disorder and doing something that we know will set us off, like going to the dentist, it comes down to trusting the person. If you have a great dentist that you trust, the anxiety will be greatly reduced - maybe not gone completely, but with a great dentist, he or she will know different ways to help you. Just remember that in the long run, Dentists want you to have a lovely smile. Lovely, healthy smiles mean that they've done their jobs properly

 

[Caramelteach]

Hi Trisha,

I have suffered with severe anxiety, panic and agoraphobia for over 20 years, so I know what it feels like to be in your shoes. xx

Unfortunately, I have had to have a lot of dental work done this year and have had to make many trips that have made me feel like hell. However, every single time, once I'm in the chair, I tend to calm right down and haven't had a panic attack yet. I think for a lot of us that have these problems, our minds are our own worst enemies in that we imagine all sorts of horrendous things happening, which in real life never do. Anticipation is a bugger!!

When I had to have an extraction done, I was in such a state, that in the waiting room I was literally shaking! I found the best thing to do was just be honest with people and tell them what I was feeling and why. The nurses were so kind and the Dentist was brilliant. I don't expect people to be able to completely understand, but a bit of empathy can go a very long way!

Please feel free to get in touch if you need a friend. xxx