Terrified Newbie!

[Caramelteach]

Hey everyone,
This is my first visit here, so bear with me.

I have suffered from severe panic and anxiety all my life and so going to the dentist is terrifying to me I am agoraphobic.

I have had fillings and root canals done in the past and my main fear is always having a panic attack during a procedure.

I now have a bottom front incisor that is hurting when I tap it or press it with my tongue and I'm just so scared that when I manage to get an appointment, they're going to do a root canal or pull it out! I can't stop worrying and panicking about it and now I've got to the point where I keep bursting into tears. I feel ridiculous.

 

[Dansdoll511]

Hi I'm agoraphobic too. Although working on recovering. I found a great dentist near my home and spoke to the dentist about what would happen if I suddenly needed to get up and leave. He said he'd put a temporary in and I could leave and we would finish at another time. Well last week I did panic ( just had memorial for my dad a day before), it was about an hour in to the appointment. I told the dentist I thought I was done for the day and he agreed and I now have a temp filling. My dentist is really good at letting me sit up when I need to, to calm down and I take my husband, my bear, a stress ball and my iPod with me. I also take Xanax before hand. So far I've been doing really well. I go in the afternoons when I'm more rested and that helps. You don't know you need a root canal. Can you go for just a look? I've been surprised what they can save. I hope it's a quick easy fix for you.

 

[Caramelteach]

Thank you for your lovely reply Dansdoll xxxx It sounds like you're doing really well xxxxx

Hopefully my dentist will be the same. I'm a new patient there and was only there a couple of weeks ago for a check up! They seemed really nice though.

I will take your advice and let them know if I need them to stop. I wish I could take someone with me-unfortunately when I do start to panic, I can't cope with anyone around me and just want to hide in my room until it passes.

Fingers crossed I will get an appointment tomorrow-it's doing my head in having to wait all weekend!

 

[Dansdoll511]

Good luck. Yes just be very honest with your dentist so they know how to let you up if you need too. I'm afraid to be alone during panic so in that Aspect we are opposite. but I am picky who I let around if I'm panicky. Usually just my husband or my mom. Just remember, they can't do anything to you that you don't agree too. You still have the control!! Best wishes!! Can't wait to hear your success story

 

[Dansdoll511]

The way I get myself to each appointment is by telling myself I will go to the office and if I get there and can't do it or just want to leave I can. I know it would cost me extra money to that but so far once I get there I get myself in the chair and tell myself one step at a time and I can leave whenever I want too. That seems to help because usually the days before I want to cancel but I make myself at least go to the office. sounds silly but it's been working. I started with two cleanings then worked my way up to some fillings and now I'm facing an extraction. But only once I'm numb if I feel I can handle it, will we do it. I'm lucky I found a very patient dentist. That makes a world of difference.

 

[Caramelteach]

Thanks for all your help Dansdoll xx

I bit the bullet today and went to see my Doctor as I have managed to get a dentist appointment for tomorrow

The doctor has given me a very small dose of Diazepam, so hopefully that will take the edge off my panic and I will be able to get through it all a little easier.

Fingers crossed!

 

[Dansdoll511]

Good luck!!!!!

 

[Imdoingitrightthistime]

The way I get myself to each appointment is by telling myself I will go to the office and if I get there and can't do it or just want to leave I can. I know it would cost me extra money to that but so far once I get there I get myself in the chair and tell myself one step at a time and I can leave whenever I want too. That seems to help because usually the days before I want to cancel but I make myself at least go to the office. sounds silly but it's been working. I started with two cleanings then worked my way up to some fillings and now I'm facing an extraction. But only once I'm numb if I feel I can handle it, will we do it. I'm lucky I found a very patient dentist. That makes a world of difference.

Hi Dansdoll, well done for getting that far. I started off with 3 extractions in one week, one being a wisdom tooth. I can honestly say this wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. I still have a few extractions to go and then I'll be getting crowns and a partial denture. I can't quite remember how many root canals I actually need, I think it might be 2 but after reading what you've had done so far has made me feel so much more confident with what's to come. My dentist told me after these 3 extractions (these were the stubborn difficult ones) that's the worst bit done now. After finding this forum and reading everyone's courageous stories I know I'm strong enough to cope with anything and I'm looking forward to wearing my smile with pride

 

[Dansdoll511]

Yay!!! I'm glad my story helped. As my favorite bible teacher says," I'm not where I want to be, but at least I'm not where I used to be." Work in progress and all I can Do is try and take it a step at a time

 

[carole]

I really like that quote, I will try and remember it. It is so true for so many occasions in our lives

 

[Dansdoll511]

You're welcome