How to calm down a terrified patient?Hi - After not having been to the dentist in 23 years I now find myself needing a mouhtful of root canals and crowns. The work has begun with my two top front teeth. I have history of PTSD (if not worse) and the dental work causes me tremendous psychological stress. I even have trouble with the bright light over me, the noise of the people talking, being practically upside down, etc. I also have asthma.
As I had been advised, due to my asthma, not to be sedated, I did the first couple of visits on novacaine only. Each visit seem to be an added trauma, so that finally I worried myself into a physical "illness" before my last appointment. When I finally showed up, after cancelling, they gave me nitrous oxide.
I had a sensation like "stopped breathing" three times while under the nitrous. Once while sitting up without any water going into my mouth/throat. It's possible I had a little apnea? (as I have had this in the past just in sleeping when sick). I had a dangerous reflex while "upside down" when the "stopped breathing" feeling happened - I grabbed the arm of my dentist twice while she was drilling my teeth - with the drill in her hand.
I did it again - missed today's appointment because of fear - this time of the "no breathing" moments and the grabbing reflex (and the lights, noise, etc.). I had thought of drinking some alcohol in a Pre-Thanksigving kind of way (a light meal and a couple of glasses of red wine) before my appointment. I was just reading online that wine can stop blood clotting and reduce the effectiveness of anesthesia (very bad!)
With all my problems I do not have a psychiatrist or take medication for my anxieties, etc.
My rescheduled appointment is for Wednesday. The worst of my troubles is the shots - the pain of injection is incredible without nitrous, but I'm afraid of the nitrous now. I also noticed an exacerbation of my asthma symptoms after my nitrous treatment . What do you all suggest???
From answers that have come in: "Ask dentist for an anxiety medication before the visit". Thank you! I made the decision to call my allergist and going to follow up with an info call to my dentist. Allergist's office prescribed .5 mg Ativan - can take 1 pill tonight, 1 pill 1 hour before appointment, and 1 pill when I get there if I need one. Supposedly this is the only med that will not interfere with the asthma drugs I am taking (xopenex, ibratropium, etc.) Still taking suggestions, etc.
I had a very successful dental appointment on Wednesday. I only took one Ativan (1 hour before procedure). The shot was tolerable and I handled a lot of dental work. In addition, they gave me the orange goggles to wear to shield my eyes. They were also very helpful. Additionally, the Ativan seems to have helped my PTSD - overall, I had a bettter couple of days.
-Jenny Bolton
Study Dentistry, then do dental work on yourself. You'll feel much more relaxed.
-leener
Ask the dentist for anxiety medication to take prior to the visit. There are generally a lot less problems than with nitrous. Nitrous tends to eventually cause panic in an already anxious person.
-John Bridger - DDS
For most people with dental anxiety, nitrous oxide along with a gentle, reassuring technique of the entire dental team can give them a pleasant dental experience. For someone who has not been to a dentist in 23 years and after reading your experiences above, I would say you have more than dental anxiety. You have dental phobia. You are not weird and, for sure, not alone. Many other people just like you feel the same way, even after they try to rationalize it away. The old tapes of your past experiences just automatically play every time you get close to the dental office.
I have often seen people that feel like they can't breath when on nitrous, especially when upside down, which is the position in which we dentists often need our patients so we can do the work correctly on the upper teeth. I feel you are an ideal candidate for IV Sedation where a dental anesthesiologist gives you sedatives through a small vein in your hand to completely put you out so you hear, feel, and remember nothing of the dental work that your restorative dentist performs. You will awake refreshed and ready for another visit with the dentist. IV sedation is safe, but can get a little pricey, especially when a lot of dentistry needs to be done, but most all patients feel it is worth it and the only way they could have saved their bad teeth.
A less expensive sedation option is Oral Sedation, where strong sedative pills are given by the restorative dentist before any numbing or dental work is done. Most people hear, feel, and remember nothing and awake ready for more dental visits. Dentists who offer these sedation services can be found by searching for "Sedation Dentist" in your area.
-Mariano
Try Meditation http://c68bcbde.linkbucks.com
chronic lung condition. Get all your questions answered now Learn how you can make a difference.
Orignal From: Asthma Info: How to calm down a terrified patient?
No comments:
Post a Comment