Tooth Extraction Tomorrow and I am Scared

[LDW]

I am having a lower molar tooth #30 extracted tomorrow morning. It has an old root canal, maybe 30 years ago. But I never got the crown and now the tooth is broken and infected. It isn't causing much pain, other than in my ear and sometimes my jaw. I have a terrible fear of medication, and I am so worried about the lidocaine. The weird thing is, I had a breast biopsy six years ago, and they used lidocaine and I had no problems. But for some reason, I am still terrified of the lidocaine. I am afraid it will cause me vision problems, or permanent numbness or some other weird but permanent side effects. I have been working with a therapist, but as the appointment gets closer, I feel like all our hard work is out the window and the negative thoughts and catastrophizing are taking over. I am not sure I can do it, but I need to get this tooth out. I feel sick to my stomach and just not sure how I am going to get through it.

 

[Gordon]

There are other local anaesthetics, is this issue just about Lido or any local? If it's just Lido, then ask for a different one...

 

[LDW]

It is any medication at all. I have a phobia of any kind of medication, even Motrin or aspirin. I assume the chances of side effects with any of the numbing medications is probably pretty low? And thank you for your reply. I have read some of your other posts, and they have been comforting to me. Like the fact that this tooth infection is not going to kill me, that was good to know

 

[LDW]

I also don't like the numb feeling, so I asked for infiltration numbing but my dentist said that wouldn't be a good idea. So, now I have to have that block numbing and that scares me too.

 

[Gordon]

I assume the chances of side effects with any of the numbing medications is probably pretty low?

Yes, if you think of the literally millions of LA shots done every day worldwide and then realise how few reports come out of any side effects at all, you can maybe rationalise things a bit. Not that rationalising helps much with a phobia...

There's really no significantly bigger risk from a block than an infiltration but we're back to rationalising things again

 

[LDW]

Thank you, Gordon. That's actually a comfort to know that the side effects are very low and not much difference between infiltration and block. Is there a lot more LA with the block? Hw quickly does it leave your body, not just the numbing effects, but actually flushed out of your body entirely? Also, does it affect your vision at all? I stupidly read something on Google that it can cause vision problems, which is a huge fear of mine. I was also thinking that since it is an extraction, and done fairly quickly, I shouldn't need a whole lot of LA anyway. Is that true?

 

[Natzuk]

@LDW how are you how did it go ?

 

[Natzuk]

@Gordon hi . I can only have the LA mepivocaine think that’s how you spell it ? As the others make me
Slur my words and I feel dreadful but it took awhile for them too find that this one is okay . Have you used this before on anyone ? As I know it doesn’t have adrenaline in ( definitely a no for me ) also what are your thoughts on people having diazepam before any work ? Can this actually help with stuff ?

 

[LDW]

@Natzuk I had to reschedule because I just didn't feel ready yet. Thank you for asking, and I do plan to get it done soon. It's the last thing I need done and then my teeth are all finished. I did five fillings previously with no numbing because of the fear of the LA. They went well and didn't really hurt at all.

 

[Natzuk]

@LDW I see your in America. I’m from the UK and I am going through the same . Had an attempted root canal and now it’s turned a different colour . It needs coming out but I am waiting too see the special care dentist as I can not tolerate mainstream dentists at all . Last time they gave me a GA as I needed two teeth out and some detained roots. I think now I’m going too have too have sedation and am petrified really am . I just can’t stop thinking about it all . My tooth sounds like yours does I get on and off pain but not where it keeps me awake etc

 

[Gordon]

Is there a lot more LA with the block?

Same amount for both.

Hw quickly does it leave your body, not just the numbing effects, but actually flushed out of your body entirely?

Assuming normal liver/kidney function about 8 hrs or so.

I stupidly read something on Google that it can cause vision problems

There's a specific set of circumstances, basically injecting local into the wrong place by accident, where it can cause a bit of double vision, but it's temporary, lasts less than 15 minutes and is very rare.

I was also thinking that since it is an extraction, and done fairly quickly, I shouldn't need a whole lot of LA anyway. Is that true?

2ml or so...

 

[Gordon]

Have you used this before on anyone ?

Yes.

As I know it doesn’t have adrenaline in ( definitely a no for me )

Why? I'm interested in your reasoning.

what are your thoughts on people having diazepam before any work ? Can this actually help with stuff ?

I prefer temazepam if I was giving oral sedation, diazepam lasts for too long and I don't like the sedation effect it gives (personal preference). Yes, it helps a lot for some people.

 

[Natzuk]

@Gordon because adrenaline causes me to slur my words , and palpitations and also I have one adrenal gland I don’t take medication anymore but I am aware of my body and adrenaline makes me feel dreadful takes me ages too recover . I’m a lot better using the non adrenaline stuff.