I'm A Big Baby At The Dentist And I'm Proud!

I'm not really proud that I'm a big baby at the dentist. That was actually a weak attempt at sarcasm. I'm actually quite embarrassed at my behaviour lately but It's real so I'm trying to own it.

It all started a while back when I realized that I had run out of excuses to avoid the dentist. You can click on the link there to read all about the back story. But bottom line, I need cavities filled and I get scared. So the dentist gave me a prescription for 10 mg of Valium (weak in my opinion) and we booked my appointment.

Last Friday was attempt number one. I'm sure you can see what's coming here.

I took my little pill and walked to the dentist. I was immediately told off for not having someone walk me to the appointment as had been required. As I only skimmed the instructions I had not noticed that I was supposed to have a friend take me to AND pick me up from the appointment. Oops! Scolding over, it was time to get to work.

I got all numbed up with those horrible long needles and handled it like a trooper. In fairness, the needles have never been my issue, but I'm trying to get myself some credit here.

Then the drilling started.

This is where the panic set in. I am always afraid that the Novocaine won't work and I will feel something. It happened once and I've never been able to get over it. So I make it not even half way through one tooth and I start shaking. They ask if I'm cold. I explain that I'm not cold but am starting to have a panic attack. They sit me up to help me relax. Instead of relaxing I burst into tears.

Total humiliation.

I tell them I can't keep going. I can't do this. I am now in full blown panic. Nice!

So the dentist puts a temp filling in the tooth he was working on and I have to call my friend an hour and a half early to come and pick me up. She seemed quite surprised to be hearing from me so soon. So I have to share my humiliation with her. I'm sure she wanted to laugh at me, but was sweet enough not to.

I then had to make another appointment to come back and finish the work. This time I would be put under sedation. They have to bring in an anesthesiologist and everything. I'm not going under general or anything. Just a light sedation where I will be responsive but have no memory of the treatment!

No memory!!! Woo hoo!! No memory of the needle or the drill????? Sign me up!!

Did I mention it's expensive and most likely not covered by insurance?? Oh well, I'm trying not to think about that part since without it I would most likely never get the work done and my teeth would all rot and fall out. Nothing is more sexy than a woman with no teeth right! : )

So yesterday was the big appointment and attempt number two. I was still nervous even though I knew I was getting the good drugs this time. I got to the office a bit early and met my anesthesiologist. They sat me in the dentist chair and looked for a good vein in my arm. Once that was done I got a little injection and ............... bliss.

I remember waking up feeling a bit groggy. My husband was there to pick me up. The dentist was smiling at me telling me what I great job I did and how all the work was done. I don't remember a thing! It's like magic! Go to sleep and wake up with your fillings done.

I was a bit of a waste last night. The appointment was over at 5:30 and I pretty much only stayed up long enough to eat some dinner. I started falling asleep on the couch at 8:30 or so and was in bed by 9. I slept until 9 this morning,,,,,,,, double bliss!!

In fact you could say I slept like a baby, the big baby that I am!