Terrified About Upcoming Appointment!

[BarbaraETD]

I have never enjoyed going to the dentist, but not as fearful as I have now become. I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis 4 years ago, and it has been difficult dealing with that, and as a result I sometimes get panicky when my body goes entirely numb. I also have a lot of dizziness and vertigo as a result of the MS.

I put off going to the dentist and now I have an appointment on Tuesday and I am terrified because of the novocaine. It makes me numb and now with the MS I don't really want it but I have several large cavities and I doubt he would drill without it. I am so afraid of the feeling and also I don't want to panic in the chair and then embarrass myself by being nervous.

Any suggestions? I am very frightened.

 

[dynomatastic]

Hello,

A family friend I've known for 20 years suffers from MS (paraliyzed from the waist down). She did not like going to the dentist for the same reasons, but she found a dentist that tried his best to work with her concerns, and was very caring. Just by him being sympathetic helped ease her tension a great deal.

I am due to get two fillings done tomorrow (yikes!), and on one of my posts, a person suggested I talk to the dentist about an instrument they used called "The Wand."

You may want to try to find a dentist (if you have various options available to you) that uses this new technology. It seems to just numb the tooth, as opposed to your entire side of the mouth and tounge.

You can also ask them to break up the sessions for the fillings (as opposed to getting as many done as possible in one sitting), if that helps in any way

I wish you the best of luck!

 

[Geraint]

A good dentist should appreciate that you are nervous and should be non judgemental. The feeling of numbness can be unpleasant but should wear off after a few hours. Your dentist should be aware of your MS and it's afects.

 

[melodyl]

If you can find a dentist that uses the "WAND", you will not have any more problems in that department.

you don't feel a thing when he numbs you and after that, you are numb AND YOU DONT' FEEL A THING THEN EITHER.

It really did save my sanity.

My dentist does not use syringes, needles, anything like that.

while I will never like going to the dentist, at least now I CAN GO TO THE DENTIST.

Best of luck
Melody