Posted by shar on October 26, 2000, at 12:05:36
In reply to Re: Phobias, posted by laural on October 26, 2000, at 8:32:57
> > What are others' experiences (if any) with phobias?
I am the quintessential dental phobic. This after a lot of childhood dental work where they didn't use novocaine for "little" cavities. I grew up with Air Force dentists who were not awfully motivated to care about the patient. I inherited (of course) my dad's teeth, thin enamel, high sensitivity (extreme) to cold.
Dentists use drills that are cooled by water or air. Does that water or air hurt the tooth with novocaine? No. Does that cold water/air hurt every other tooth it touches -- HELL YES. So I am always trying to cover the teeth with my tongue. Oh, and the cold water they spray all on your teeth so you can rinse? I must jump a foot when that happens. Duh.
When I became of age, if I had a problem tooth it got pulled. Later, I found a dentist who would zap me up with nitrous to the max (I was having aural hallucinations) and I finally was able to get my teeth fixed (3 permanent bridges) and a ton of fillings. He zapped me from the time I sat down in the chair until he was completely done, none of the "you won't need this for x-rays" BS. And I went regularly, and he zapped me up every time. Of course, he used novocaine.
Now it's a big trial to try to express to dentists that I am phobic and I get the "oh, it will be ok" and they use nitrous a little, so I'm always saying, can you increase the nitrous. And end up crying (as in weeping). Some dentists just get put out at me, and I have yet to find one who gives a shit. (The great dentist I had lives in another city.)
So, my recent oral surgery, I try like hell to let people know, and they do not listen, and this dentist just got put out when I cried and said they tried to calm me down by talking about the olympics, and then she just shut up and did her thing, and walked out without another word.
Of course I cried again when it was over, and I was paying, and I sat in my car weeping for about 15 minutes.
I am sick of dumb ass dentists who don't listen, and say it's ok or that with work I can get over it. I don't want to get over it. I want nitrous out the wazoo and novocaine, and I can get through it. Jesus, I don't think it takes a rocket scientist to figure this out. I am SO CLEAR from the VERY START with them.
This is long and I am pissed. I hate dentists.
I am a little claustrophobic in the dark, like a totally darkened room at night, or in movies.
Shar
poster:shar
thread:1623
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20001011/msgs/1630.html