A fear of the dentist is causing me physical pain.

[laceandlouboutins]

I've had a toothache for three days. I keep loading up on ibuprofen and orajel. Today the pain is excruciating, and I know it can't be good for me to keep taking drugs every four hours. I need to call tomorrow, but thinking about going makes me twitchy.

[CheshireGrin]

If you continue taking ibuprofen every four hours, you will eventually put yourself into kidney failure. HTH

ETA: I hate the dentist too. Try to focus on how much better you will feel AFTERWARD when your tooth doesn't hurt anymore. And maybe ask for good drugs?

[montereybride]

Jan 24, 2013 23:56:50 GMT -5 CheshireGrin said:

If you continue taking ibuprofen every four hours, you will eventually put yourself into kidney failure. HTH

Also, septicemia is a lot more scary than the dentist.

[eb777888]

I have a huge fear of the dentist, but I never regret walking out of there! The dentist has never caused me pain, I don't know why I'm so afraid.

[fuckyourcouch]

I also hate the dentist. Suck it up, ask for the nitrous, and get your tooth fixed.

[Deleted]

Jan 24, 2013 23:57:25 GMT -5 eb777888 said:

I have a huge fear of the dentist, but I never regret walking out of there! The dentist has never caused me pain, I don't know why I'm so afraid.

I wish my dentists were like this. Every time I come out of the dentists office I'm in pain. It's always been like that. The last time I went to the dentist they laughed at me for crying in the chair because I was so afraid.

[eb777888]

Jan 24, 2013 23:59:54 GMT -5 @sounderschick said:

Jan 24, 2013 23:57:25 GMT -5 eb777888 said:

I have a huge fear of the dentist, but I never regret walking out of there! The dentist has never caused me pain, I don't know why I'm so afraid.

I wish my dentists were like this. Every time I come out of the dentists office I'm in pain. It's always been like that. The last time I went to the dentist they laughed at me for crying in the chair because I was so afraid.

Seriously??? I'm sorry.

I've had three scaling oral surgeries, a tooth pulled, a root canal (that needed a specialist to go extra deep because my roots are so deep) and fillings and I've never been in pain. Yeah, a little sore the next few days, but never in pain. You need to find a new dentist, sounders!

[eb777888]

Yeah, I got nitrous for my tooth extraction for $80 and it was mothafucking awesome. I didn't have a care in the world! Wheeeeeee!

[spitforspat]

I always warn them about how anxious going to the dentist makes me and they treat me with kid gloves.

[laceandlouboutins]

My dentist is good. He does great work, but he's rude. I don't like his personality. That plus my anxiety about being there in the first place is why I avoid it.

I should find a new one, but my stupid HMO insurance limits my options.

[annyong]

I, too, am scared of the dentist. But you should go!

[Deleted]

Jan 25, 2013 0:02:44 GMT -5 eb777888 said:

Jan 24, 2013 23:59:54 GMT -5 @sounderschick said:

I wish my dentists were like this. Every time I come out of the dentists office I'm in pain. It's always been like that. The last time I went to the dentist they laughed at me for crying in the chair because I was so afraid.

Seriously??? I'm sorry.

I've had three scaling oral surgeries, a tooth pulled, a root canal (that needed a specialist to go extra deep because my roots are so deep) and fillings and I've never been in pain. Yeah, a little sore the next few days, but never in pain. You need to find a new dentist, sounders!

I'm trying. This was my new dentist.

[oliver]

Jan 24, 2013 23:55:24 GMT -5 laceandlouboutins said:

I've had a toothache for three days. I keep loading up on ibuprofen and orajel. Today the pain is excruciating, and I know it can't be good for me to keep taking drugs every four hours. I need to call tomorrow, but thinking about going makes me twitchy.

See the dentist. NOW.

I had a similar issue - and let mine go until eating a burger broke a tooth (on the crispy bacon).

Wound up needing a root canal - four visits to the dentist and massive, excruciating pain.

It's possible the dentist can save your tooth, but only if you go now. If you wait, it'll either be a pull or a canal.

[oliver]

Jan 24, 2013 23:59:54 GMT -5 @sounderschick said:

I wish my dentists were like this. Every time I come out of the dentists office I'm in pain. It's always been like that. The last time I went to the dentist they laughed at me for crying in the chair because I was so afraid.

Go see a better dentist

[laceandlouboutins]

I'm still up in pain. At this point the orajel isn't doing anything. You guys are freaking me out with the talk of pulling teeth. It's a very visible bottom tooth causing all of the pain.

[oliver]

Jan 25, 2013 1:52:17 GMT -5 laceandlouboutins said:

I'm still up in pain. At this point the orajel isn't doing anything. You guys are freaking me out with the talk of pulling teeth. It's a very visible bottom tooth causing all of the pain.

The sooner you see a dentist, the less likely it is that you will lose the tooth.

A coworker of mine's wife's dad ignored his leg getting red and painful until it was too painful to ignore any longer. He's now losing his leg (he was diabetic).

Ignoring the situation never makes it get better, only worse.

[laceandlouboutins]

Dumb question, but what is septicemia? Should I be afraid to google?

[CheshireGrin]

Jan 25, 2013 1:58:03 GMT -5 laceandlouboutins said:

Dumb question, but what is septicemia? Should I be afraid to google?

More commonly called sepsis. Also known as "really fucking sick."

ETA: Basically, a systemic infection. If you have an infection in your tooth left untreated, it can spread to your bloodstream and your whole body. And it's no joke.

[angelaa73]

just go. i worry that you have an infection if the pain is that bad..

[VillainV]

I'm sorry your dentist is an ass, but at least he can give you some drugs to make the pain go away, and take care of the problem so that you don't have to worry about it anymore.

If he DOES have to pull the tooth, then there are all kinds of cosmetic things they can do to fill the gap (implants, partial dentures, etc). Look at a picture of NHL hockey players -- think all of them have all of their real teeth? Hell no. Good dentists can make them look that way though:-)

Plus, he might not have to pull the tooth. Maybe he can give you drugs to kill the infection, and give you a nice local anaesthetic until that starts working. You'll never know how bad it is until you go in and see him. And the longer you wait, the worse it's going to get, and the less likely you will have a good outcome.

[adhdfashion]

Dude, Tell the dentist you are scared and don't want to feel anything. The dentist should hook you up with some gas and ton of numbing stuff. Loads of people are scared, they will take care of you.

[laceandlouboutins]

Jan 25, 2013 2:08:23 GMT -5 angelaa73 said:

The pain has been manageable until now. The last six hours have sucked ass.

[laceandlouboutins]

That was supposed to quote Angela.

[ralphlauren]

Let me tell you. I always cancelled the dentist ( when I lived in Chicago) last minute because I was afraid of the pain

He was my dads good friend but he kicked me out of the practice because I kept canceling.

When I moved to SoCal I was in so much pain and my boss at the time game me a referral. I was in so much pain I went. I sat in the chair and they took X-rays and I hear the dr talking to the tech in the back that I had a terrible infection and needed a root canal. I picked my purse and belongings up and walked to the front at the receptionist. I said the dr took X-rays and I need to pay for them. The dr found me at the front and said " you have a terrible infection and you need work ASAP". He asked me if I was leaving because of the finances. I told him it was not the money but I was petrified and I was having anxiety. When he heard that he pulled me back to the chair and was the kindest most gentile dentist I have ever been to. He walked me through everything and was so good to me.

Explain to your dr that you have anxiety and I bet he will be kinder and gentile with you.

[Deleted]

Jan 24, 2013 23:59:54 GMT -5 @sounderschick said:

Jan 24, 2013 23:57:25 GMT -5 eb777888 said:

I have a huge fear of the dentist, but I never regret walking out of there! The dentist has never caused me pain, I don't know why I'm so afraid.

I wish my dentists were like this. Every time I come out of the dentists office I'm in pain. It's always been like that. The last time I went to the dentist they laughed at me for crying in the chair because I was so afraid.

That sucks spenders.  Time for a new dentist.  when I found my new dentist I told her that I had a lot of anxiety about the dentist.  The hygienist held my hand the last time I had to have a Novocain shot.  They are great.  Nobody should be laughing at you for being afraid.  What a bunch of jerks.

[ralphlauren]

They also have sedative dentistry and you can be knocked out for your procedure

[laceandlouboutins]

Ugh. I'm up again. I wish there was a 24 hour emergency dentist I could call.

[Deleted]

Jan 25, 2013 0:03:03 GMT -5 kevin arnold said:

Jan 24, 2013 23:59:14 GMT -5 fuckyourcouch said:

I also hate the dentist. Suck it up, ask for the nitrous, and get your tooth fixed.

This! Find a dentist who is liberal with the gas. Google "sedation dentistry". My dentist will give you the good stuff even just for a cleaning if you want. It's like $50, but worth it if you have anxiety. Don't ignore that tooth ache. Getting it taken care of is SO much better than trying to deal with the pain. You won't regret it.

I second this.  I have one who's very liberal with the gas and I take full advantage even for my cleanings.  

[karmasabiotch]

Get the laughing gas. It will relax you and it's fun safe high. Feel better.

[bluetopaz]

Jan 25, 2013 9:33:08 GMT -5 AutumnRose25 said:

My dentist (current and prior) have called in a Xanax prescription for me ( just 4 pills) because I have a mortal fear on going and won't go unless I'm sedated lol

Call the dentist, tell them the issue and ask them to do that for you and get the tooth looked at!

This is what my dentist did. I took some sort of sedative, I can't remember the name, and it made me good and loopy. My H had to drive me, because it took several hours to wear off. I'm finally at the point now that I'm ok going to the dentist without it, but they always ask me if I want the gas and are extra gentle with me. Believe me, I know exactly how you feel, but this isn't something to ignore. Get in, get it fixed, and then find a new dentist (or even see if someone new can take you on an emergency basis now).  Finding a dentist who knows how to deal with anxious patients will make all the difference. Take care!