So afraid of going tomorrow...

[kubbyp]

The dentist office just called me and left a message. They said they could do the extraction tomorrow morning!!! I am terrified, to hear that sound that it will make, and the after effects of having it removed. I was told to bring some music to listen to and to come early because they will be giving me something orally prior to the procedure to help with the anxiety and nerves. But, I'm just shaking after getting the message from them...

To top it off one of my other molars broke on the weekend and I am afraid to call them back and say, Yes I'll be there and by the way, can she look at my broken tooth too...?


Any helpful hints to get through the next 22 hours would be most helpful.

Thank you for being here.

 

[Mega639]

I have my first dental appointment in a long time tomorrow, and I'm freaking out about it. I will also be due for multiple extractions and all kinds of work....I am dreading the diagnosis.

So I have two thoughts - first, I'm right there with you. I'm completely dreading tomorrow. So you at least have another person in the world who can appreciate this and will be facing the dentist tomorrow too.

Second, having had extractions before....it's really not as bad as you think it will be. I swear. I had six molars extracted at one time a few years back. That took an hour or so. I felt no pain. The aftermath was no big deal - just take proper care of yourself, follow the directions, take pain meds if you need them, and you'll be right as rain in a couple of days. Having had extractions before, I am not anywhere near as worked up about the prospect of more as I was prior to having extractions. Your mind will blow it up into this huge, awful experience, and it's really not too bad. You'll be okay.

 

[kubbyp]

Well, I'm sitting here waiting to go in and I don't think the medication is working...

 

[kubbyp]

Well, I'm sitting here waiting to go in and I don't think the medication is working...

She gave me two pills and had me wait in the waiting room for about an hour and then took me in. Took my pulse and held my hand and said, "You're shaking!, I can't do this, I'm going to send you to someone with better drugs!" I really don't feel relaxed at all. Still pretty wired up all because I can't talk myself into a relaxed state. God, I hate this. So I've been sent home to wait for another appointment with another dentist who will use either nitrious oxide or IV sedation in order to have the extraction done.

 

[Mega639]

Hey, it's better than doing it while you're terrified, right? It's okay.

Have you ever had the nitrous oxide? In my experience, it's very useful and pleasant. I had it one time when I had MANY fillings done in a two-hour appointment. My dentist was an old man. I just remember being so happy and thankful that I literally had to focus on not kissing him. That would have been weird. But it definitely got me in the right mindset.

Just make sure you take that next step - I'm really good at never going back after something like this. Try a different method - IV sedation or nitrous are both good options - but definitely go back.

 

[kubbyp]

I haven't had nitrious oxide before but I've heard good things about it. Thanks for the vote in that direction! The IV sedation would be second choice in my opinion. I really dislike any kind of needles!

My dentist is really a great person and a great dentist, she had me covered up in a blanket, gave me a stuffed toy to squeeze... yet when she took a look at me she could tell the medication hadn't done anything and checked my pulse and said, there was no way she would work on me for fear that I'd pass out or have a heart attack. I really did want to have it done and over with and told her so, but she wouldn't do it. Explained that having gas or IV is the way to go and that she'd send me to someone who is good with that.

She did grind down the one that broke on the weekend so it's not cutting my cheek any more, so that was really a good thing.

So now, I guess I have to suffer with this achy tooth and WAIT again.