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Anxiety & Panic Disorders
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Posted 2/2/2012 1:47 AM (GMT 0)
Hello,  I've been on HW for 2 years posting on the bipolar forum.  I also have panic disorder, and that is what is giving me problems today.

I have my wisdom teeth pulled tomorrow.  I have always been bad with needles (like panic attacks with blood draws!) and had a horrible IV experience a couple of years ago.  I spent all day doped up on Klonopin.  I took it every hour until the anxiety started to let up but by then I was really dopey.

I feel sick, I feel like there's nothing I can do to make this feeling go away.

Posted 2/2/2012 4:33 AM (GMT 0)
Oh tortoise that is rough and I can completely understand! I have dental work that needs to be done and I am absolutely dodging it...you are not alone...we have had several threads regarding dental phobia.

I think that you are very brave for making and keeping the appointment. Try to put the scary stuff out of your mind for now and envision a positive outcome for tomorrow.

Do you have someone who will accompany you? I hope that your support person is helpful...keeping you distracted and keeping things as stress free as possible.

Also let your dentist/endodontist know that you are anxious and get as much medical 'help' as they will give you!;p Nothing wrong with that. I don't use medication for my anxiety, but when I finally get into the chair, you'd better believe that I will be demanding something good!

Use your breathing and relaxation methods...they got me through a root canal pretty well once...it was before I learned them for anxiety, but I borrowed my natural childbirth methods...whatever!

Good luck and post back when you can with an update!

S.C.

Posted 2/2/2012 9:08 AM (GMT 0)
I was completely terrified before I got my wisdom teeth out too! I cancelled my appointment twice, then finally went through with it the third time. Its hard not to be apprehensive about something like that.

Try not to worry though. The whole thing turned out to be a lot better than I thought it would. You're so groggy afterwards that you basically just sleep through the whole first day. I was definitely too groggy to panic!
Also the medicine they give you for the recovery process makes you really tired and feel pretty good, so thats not too bad either :) Complications from this procedure are rare if you are young!

I also definitely agree that you should have someone come with you to the appointment. It helped me a lot to have my dad there.
Good luck!
'
Posted 2/2/2012 1:53 PM (GMT 0)
Aw, I can understand. I just had a surgical extraction done not a month ago... it was scary at first! They didn't even knock me out, but gave me a local, admittedly at my own insistence (my insurance was gonna cost me a lot, otherwise). I didn't even feel when they gave me the anesthetic shot, as the doc was VERY practiced at it... I'm sure most dentists are that way, too. Next time, I'm definitely gonna do general anesthesia just to save myself all the anxiety I had beforehand about what it was going to be like during the procedure.

You're going to be fine, I'm sure! The docs know what they're doing, and they expect everyone to be pretty scared going in. Most of them are good about trying to keep your mind at ease.

If it helps, try to keep focused on the benefit--you're doing yourself a favor by taking care of it and you'll be much more relieved and not have to worry about it again once it's over.  Easier said than done, but that's what got me to even show up for my appointment!  :)  As my husband always says, "Be kind to your future self."

Good luck and let us know how it goes!

Risa

Post Edited (RisaA) : 2/2/2012 6:57:32 AM (GMT-7)

Posted 2/2/2012 3:38 PM (GMT 0)
He refused to do the procedure under IV sedation. I was anxious/shaking and he thought I would have a panic attack under sedation. I'm scheduled to have it done at the hospital under general anesthetic next month. *sigh*
Posted 2/2/2012 4:52 PM (GMT 0)
Oh, I am sorry...all of that working up to it to be told no? Well it sounds like the dentist was being safe...or doing a 'CYA' for himself.

Well relax for now...post again (or anytime really!) when it comes up, and we will be here for support and courage....as much as we can collectively muster, Lol!! We all seem to have the same issue about 'the chair'

I have known people who had the procedure done under general...didn't that used to be the norm? Anyway, I am sure you will do fine.:)

S.C.
Posted 2/2/2012 5:41 PM (GMT 0)
I'm not worried about the actual procedure. #1 getting IV set. That is what I was freaking out about today. I don't think the dentist understood that once they put in an IV set - with no meds - that I would have been fine. My fiance can be with me in pre-op at the hopsital - that will help.
Posted 2/6/2012 3:26 AM (GMT 0)
Hi,
I had dental surgery a few months ago (some teeth pulled that broke at the root). I just want to say to think that the actual procedure in getting ready is the easiest part because it does not take long at all. Once they do it and you wake up it will be over so think of it as the beginning of the end of the problem. I don't know if this makes sense to you but it did to me and I got through my dental work because I thought this way. Is there anyway you can listen to a CD tape to help you relax before/during the first part of the procedure?
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