applejax544

I did this! I did this! Yesteray at 8 am, I had all 4 teeth removed.(I would have written sooner, but I just came across this site) THE BIGGEST chicken ever. I went in a shaking, blubbering mess, expecting the worst. The internet is my ENEMY, as I look up every possible issue and problem with everything…and getting my teeth out was no different. I assumed that things would go wrong from the beginning, and pretty convinced the nitrous and twilight sleep drugs would kill me. Well, they didn’t. And, at the time of getting the nitrous and sleepy drugs, I really didn’t give a crap. Me, Panic Pam, did not care. One. Bit. It was great…I think it was the only time in my life that I was totally relaxed. I remember waking up with my husband in the revcovery room, and I was cheering with both my arms saying, “I’M NOT DEAD! I’M NOT DEAD!” At that time, he told me not to talk, and I closed my eyes and went back to sleep. Suggestions:
1 – Be totally honest with your dentist/surgeon. Tell them that you DO NOT WANT TO BE THERE. Be honest with your fears and concerns because if they are a good dentist/surgeon, they will listen.
2 – Write down your concerns and make a list for the person taking you home. I was too nervous to remember every question/concern, so I was grateful to have the list. (Can you see how I’m a control freak?)
3 – Get sedated/nitrous if you can. Let me tell you, I was up EVERY NIGHT for the past week freaking out about this. I LOVE my illusion of control. But at that point, I had convinced myself it was the way to go. I remember telling the nurse that I’d be horrible drug addict because I’m afraid of so many drugs and then thinking, “Wow, I hope he doesn’t have any relatives that are drug addicts. Wow, I hope HE’S not a drug addict. I hope I didn’t offend him,” but all in all, not really caring. The whole experience is over in a flash. HOWEVER, if you are afraid of the whole sedation experience, TELL THEM. I made it loud and clear I was terrified, and they started the nitrous with practically all oxygen, and bumped it up from there until I said I was comfortable. Then with the IV sedation, they started with a very light dose, until I just couldn’t stop being so damn sleepy and closed my eyes.
4 – Take a day or two off. I’ve heard of people going right back to work. If you can, just take some time off. You’ll want to just hang out, and you’ll be a little dehydrated from not eating and drinking normally.
I can’t think of anything else. Just be honest and up front. YOU WILL BE FINE!!