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[honeybun]

To my shame I have not  been at the dentist for two years. I had a panic attack in the chair when my anxiety first started.
Now I need to go. I have a bit of a tender tooth and jaw pain so there is something going on.
I will need to go but how do I manage it.
I have problems in waiting rooms, queues, and basically anywhere I just can't get up and walk out. That's why I have not been.

I feel so bloody feeble. I have never been scared of the dentist. I took my kids for years and some of the stuff my daughter needed done would make your hair curl.....and I was there holding her hand.

How do I cope with this and what do I tell the dentist about my absence. I have diazepam.....do I take it. It's 2mg and I don't think that's enough although I have never taken two together.

Oh help, how do I do this cause I haven't got a clue.

Miserable 


Honeyb
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[Milamam]

Hi HB,
I often feel like that, not just with dentists but going anywhere where i might have to wait etc. On many occasions I have asked a very good friend to come with me. She knows how I feel and why I get anxious at places so there is no need to explain or to feel embarassed. Also, if I have to wait, its good for me to have someone to chat with, anxiety goes away. Can you take someone with you? It is not embarassing to explain to a best friend how you feel and why you ask him/her for company.

Good luck!

[CLKD]

Give the surgery a ring and explain.  They may suggest taking the Valium unless the Dentist is likely to do any 'work' as it can interfere with LA.  Are you taking any pain relief in the meantime?

When I was anxious I rang, explained and went along for a chat and quick check up before any work was required.  My Dentist and I came to an agreement about how long I would need to be sitting in the chair and knowing that he knew about my anxiety, helped enormously.

[CLKD]

Is it indigestion?  That can manifest itself along the jaw line, as can    heart problems.  It may be an abscess affected by position.  Have you over-yawned, therefore pulling a muscle?  Or bitten down hard on something last week?

Our Dentist has done a Psychology Degree as well as his dentistry 

[honeybun]

Hubby will come and would even come in with me if I asked. It's the sitting in the chair that's the issue.

I'm not scared of the treatment, it's just being able to sit long enough to get it done without making a fool of myself.

Both hubby and daughter thinks it neuralgia as its not constant, goes down my neck into my collar bone and shoulder.


Honeyb
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[CLKD]

Neuralgia is behind the cheek bone.  A sudden, intense, stabbing pain because the nerve is trapped by a blood vessel.  It doesn't migrate into the neck area.  When it attacked my face it floored me, I'm sure people thought I was drunk if out walking my dog 

What happens if you stretch your neck backwards?

I'm sure if you explain how you feel: which is 'normal' for most people in that chair: you can work out a coping strategy with the dentist, mine asks me to lift my left hand if I need him to stop.  When you go for your chat you don't even need to sit in that chair  .  "How many people do you treat who hate sitting in that chair?" is a good way of starting, "How do you help them to sit still long enough for treatment"?

[honeybun]

Going to have to go so I will have a chat and take it in baby steps. If they don't like it I will find a surgery that does.


Honeyb
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[bramble]

I have every sympathy. I hate the dentist - always have done and I am due to go next week. Just for a checkup but I know I won't sleep the night before. Chances are that he will just have a look - not often do they do any work on a short visit but ........I would take 2mgs an hour before you go to help.
Good luck - I will keep my fingers crossed for you. I've gotten worse as I have gotten older - probably too much time to think about it now.
Bramble

[milly]

I was referred to a consultant last year for TMJ,very painful jaw, couldn't chew, yawn or sleep had dental X-rays , no tooth decay or anything obvious

 I then had an MRI and apart from narrow joint space there was no disc displacement, which is indicitive of TMJ, so he sent me for 6 sessions of physio.

Upshot was that the problem was in my shoulder, and after massage and ultrasound it gradually improved, probably over 3 months. Physio said my shoulder and neck were very tight.

[honeybun]

This is  so strange. It was really painfull this afternoon and now it's almost fine. Now I have had toothache over the years and a few infections. This one comes and goes.
I know I do have to face the dentist at some point and this maybe the time to do it. As my anxiety is far worse in the mornings I will ask for an afternoon appointment.

My dentist is really nice so I will explain to her before I even get in the chair.


Honeyb
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[Joyce]

My first thoughts were neuralgia, more specifically Trigeminal neuralgia. Very painful. Mine lasted quite a few months & was put on Amitryptiline & Gabapentin.

Here's something about it.
http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Trigeminal-neuralgia/Pages/Symptoms.aspx

[groundhog]

Hi HB - another thing I share with you - fear of dentist.  I have had over 30 surgical ops but the dentist terrifies me.  I would contact them and tell them exactly now you feel and maybe they can give you an appointment at the start of end of the day so you won't be hanging about.  Toothache or any suchlike pain is awful so I hope you get it sorted soon xx
I now go to the dentist regularly.  I had an extraction last year and it was fine.  My phobia goes back to the dreaded black mask and gas - bad childhood experiences but things have completely changed thank fully xx

[Morwenna]

I suffer from TMJ which is caused by unconscious teeth clenching - I do this when I'm uptight and have to make a conscious effort to relax my jaw. Your symptoms sound similar - mine included ear pain and was diagnosed following referral to the ENT outpatients department.

However I would go to the dentist to rule out a tooth problem that needs attention as it could only get worse. Take Diazepam if you need to and make an afternoon appointment. Explain to the dentist that you are very anxious and may need to signal for them to stop and let you get up out of the chair if necessary. Dentists are trained to cope with anxious patients, it won't be anything they haven't seen before!

http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/dentalhealth/Pages/Fearofthedentist.aspx

[babyjane]

hello honeybun I can relate to all that you have explained. when I go to the dentist or to the optician - where an eye test takes 25 minutes, I ask for a double appointment so that it is not rushed and I can take a break if I need one. Could you ask at your dentist if they can offer a double appointment for health reasons so you can take it slowly or would that make you feel worse? Hope you can find a way round this I do sympathise as it is not easy. Good luck.

[honeybun]

The pain has now shifted to my jaw joint and into my ear.

I know I clench my teeth as for ages now I have wakened up with stiffness and I find myself doing it in the day too.

If it was TMJ what would the treatment be ?.


Honeyb
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