Is it my anxiety? PHOBIA.

worthless x · 06-02-2009, 07:11 PM

I'm 18 & I am sitting here in floods of tears, as today i went to the dentist and got told I need a little filling & I thought it was fine, UNTILL:

I got told by "numbing you" they stick A NEEDLE in your mouth.

Now I have had this before.

BUT Over the years I got anxiety & became terrified of needles.

I havent been well for 2 months & my doctor wants to do blood tests, and I physically WONT get them done, just because a needle has to go in my arm. I started freaking out about it.

So Today, with the denist thing, I just really dont want the needle :( I'm absolutly terified and crying because of it.

I feel like I'd rather die than get a needle :( I really dont know what to do!!

Do you need this Needle thing to get Numbed?

worthless x

whirlpools · 06-02-2009, 07:15 PM

i'm not sure, i'm sorry.

what i do know is that there are specialist dentists out there who work with people who have a massive fear about going to the dentist. my friend used to have a phobia of going to the dentist for whatever reason, and she used to go to this special dentist and it really calmed her down.

so i imagine they'd help you through the numbing process in a relaxed way. if you can't go to a specialist dentist maybe it would help talking to your dentist about your fears before you go for the filling?

i know they used to give gas and air, or laughing gas, or something, years ago but i'm not sure they can still do that now?

regarding going to the doctors - have you had Emla (numbing) cream before? before the needle. or would that not help any? xxx

worthless x · 06-02-2009, 07:21 PM

My Appointment's on the 20th :( for 30mins, so I dont think I'd have enough time to get help before then.

I'd rather gas!! I want to be like asleep when they do it :( I didnt realise It was a ****ing needle to get stabbed in my mouth. I'm actually freaking out about it now.

No, I haven't tried anything with the needles to take my blood. It's just the thought of a needle that scar's me!!

I'm really scared and wound up about this thing. xxxx

sherlock holmes · 06-02-2009, 08:06 PM

They could possibly give you some gas rather than use a needle to inject anaesthetic, but the gas wont make you sleep. You'll just feel really floaty and relaxed.

I would ring the dentists if I were you and explain and ask if there are alternative ways of getting numbed without a needle.

If there aren't, you might just have to get on with it. Your doctor may give you some diazepam to take as a one off so you dont get so anxious about the needle. But whatever you do, dont cancel the appointment altogether. If you need a filling and you leave it, it will get worse and worse until the whole tooth is decayed and you get an abcess or something. You would be in immense pain and needing emergency dental treatment, and by that point they would have to inject you to sort it out.

So it's best to sort it out now to be honest.

whirlpools · 06-02-2009, 08:10 PM

i wondered if this would be helpful. it does talk about needles/injections, to warn you, if that would trigger you. it suggests some things that have been helpful to people with needle phobias going to the dentist.

http://www.dentalfearcentral.org/needle_phobia.html

inblack · 07-02-2009, 12:36 AM

I totally relate. I am TERRIFIED of needles. Never had a blood test done. I really don't think I could manage it. The last doctor I saw suggested I see a psychologist over my fear of needles (I was crying in the office at the idea of one). Course my fear of needles is pretty low down on my priority list.

Also does your dentist know of your fear? Let them know if you haven't already. My dentist has given me drugs to take before I come for fillings. Totally relaxes you. Still sucks having the needle but when you're drugged its not nearly as bad, you could probably handle it. Those drugs are the best thing that ever happened to me. I even managed to go for a root canal, and I don't even remember it as a negative experience. Ask your dentist if they offer any kind of medication to help you relax, let them know a friend suggested it. Its more common than you'd think.

I have heard of not needing a needle for fillings. Something to do with using a laser to do it? Maybe try googling "laser dentist" or some variations of that. My brother told me about it. I don't know how expensive it is or anything though and not all dentists would offer it.

Kasai · 07-02-2009, 12:48 AM

I'm right with you. I'm absolutely terrified by needles.
My dentist used to use this gel stuff that used to numb the spot when I got my fillings. Maybe you could look into it.

sherlock holmes · 07-02-2009, 11:57 AM

Ask if they do this: http://www.d-p-s.uk.com/othe-wand-anaesthesia.htm

The dental wand is a syringless device for giving anaesthetic.