On Saturday I had two cavities filled at the dentist. First time I’ve needed that done, but there was nothing particularly complicated or unique about it. I was nervous about it, because I’m the type of person who managed to create excuses to not go to the dentist for over three years. And I’m prone to panic attacks, so before leaving home I went through nearly every mental relaxation exercise I know.
Once I got there I was feeling fine, and was even chatting with the hygienist as she led me back into the room. Then I looked at the tray of dental tools and fainted dead away. ‘A bit nervous’ to ‘unconscious’ in the space of, oh, three seconds. The hygienist, luckily, grabbed me before I cracked my idiot head on the floor or something. That’s a new trick for me, my brain saying “I’m not even going to bother panicking, I’m just going to go the hell away” when I see something intimidating. I assured them I was fine, the dentist came in and got started, and when she injected the Novocaine I passed out again. I managed to stay conscious through the rest of the procedure, though the dentist did need to remind me about a dozen times to continue breathing.
So…I’m not the only one to have ever done this, right? I mean, I know I’m hardly the first person to be scared about dental work, nor the first person to pass out. Right?
It’s been bothering me all weekend, because dammit, I don’t faint at stress!
I haven’t fainted in the dentist’s office, but I have had my first genuine asthma attack. It came out of nowhere just like your fainting. Frankly, I prefer your brain’s way of avoiding the whole procedure.
Oh, you poor thing! I was not quite that bad the last time I had to have a filling done (first time in 20 years/second time ever). Like you I suffer from panic attacks and anxiety. Despite the fact that I had take 2mg of Ativan before going, I was a wreck. I didn’t faint, but I did keep forgetting to breathe and I had tears uncontrollably streaming from my eyes. I was clenching my fists so hard I drew blood from my palms with my fingernails. The dentist was so concerned for me, he almost didn’t do the fillings. I’m surprised I didn’t pass out.
Eventually he called in the other dentist to sit with me and say soothing things and tell me it was all Ok, the whole time he was working. When he was out in the hall talking to the other dentist, I heard him say, “I’ve never seen someone as bad at this before.” I felt so stupid, but they were so nice to me.
My mom has fainted in the emergency room before. It’s kind of funny, trying to calm my mom down in an emergency room, when I was the one that was injured! At least I got to see the nurses faster because they had to bring her a wet washcloth and tend to her, also.
You know, NinjaChick, I’m starting to suspect more and more that you may not, actually, be a ninja.
PLEASE DON’T MURDER ME IN THE DEAD OF NIGHT FOR SAYING SO!
I’ve never fainted in public, but I remember having my first panic attack(ever) at work, freaking out my employees badly. To the point where they called 911, in fact.
Not embarrassing in the moment, but afterward I felt kinda foolish.
The last time I was at the dentist for a surgery-ish situation*, I had to get three shots of Novocaine because apparently the nerves in my mouth are part superhero or something. Every time the dentist injected Novocaine, I whimpered like a little fluffy dog during a thunderstorm. And then when he started cutting, I whimpered and starting crying. Not because it hurt, mind you, but because I could hear the scapel scraping on my teeth and I could feel him tugging on my gum. Blah! Never again!
I’m currently putting off going to the dentist to some cavities filled because . . . because, OK? When I do finally go, I’m thinking about requesting a tranquilizer or something, because I’m too old to have my mommy in the room with me holding my hand.
[sub]*I needed part of my gum cut away because I sneezed while I was brushing my teeth and hit the spot just below my incisor with the toothbrush and it got infected. breath It felt like I had been punched in the mouth by a very tiny, plastic fist. And my gum swelled up really big and I couldn’t talk without it bleeding. End backstory.[/sub]
When I was 15 I fainted at my pediatrician’s office after getting a shot. I had already made it out into the reception room, and then collapsed. I had walked to the office myself so they had to call my mom to come pick me up. They said there was no medical reason for me to pass out, I must have just been freaked out by the needle.
Keep in mind that you’re the patient here. Your obligation is arrive on time, be polite, follow directions, and pay your bill promptly. Provided you’ve done all that I’m sure you left the office on their good side.
Too many Americans are ignorant of the epidemic of tooth-brushing-related injuries and even fatalities that is sweeping the nation. Maybe you can wear little awareness ribbons?
Well, I’m somewhat of a dental coward myself. If it makes you feel any better, during my last appointment the hygienist was telling me about people they have to take to the hospital and put them under general anesthesia before they can work.
As an oh-by-the-way, is nitrous oxide available? I had one dental appointment using that stuff and was disappointed when they turned it off. I sat there with my Walkman and grinned at them during the whole procedure. Try it, it makes dental work fun.
They said that they could arrange to use it at the office. My insurance company wouldn’t pay for it, however, making it outside my budget. Besides, I think I’d actually rather be mentally intact - part of my paranoia nonsense is a whole big trust thing, and sucking down the gas might actually be more stressful for me.
Though I did get a pleasant surprise - the receptionist said he figured out a way to bill the procedure so my insurance company would cover it 100%. Granted, I’m losing any and all insurance in four days, so that’s a rather…small victory.
Is it possible to bring an iPod and listen to music during a cleaning? I don’t mind the dentist, but it’s extremely boring. You have nothing to do but stare at the flecks of plaque that come flying out of your mouth.
AFAIK, nitrous is usually done at the office. The dental lady was talking about taking people to the hospital for something much heavier than that. I take your point about the trust thing and the gas possibly making a problem for you although I’m not sure you even could be paranoid on gas. It has the most amazing effect but you don’t lose consciousness. The one time I tried it I was really impressed. Also good, no hangover.
Here’s hoping you fix your insurance and dental problems.
I tried the gas once and all it did was make my hands and feet fall asleep, while it did absolutely nothing whatsoever for my fear. It doesn’t work for everybody, and it really sucks that I’m one of those lucky people. But for those for whom it does work, I hear it’s great stuff.
I’m definitely going to take my iPod next time I go in, though; hopefully some music will help keep my mind off things, and I doubt the dentist will object if it keeps me from biting his fingers. :eek:
