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My Dental Adventure
3 years ago
Today I went to the oral surgeon. Months ago, after avoiding it because of anxiety and Medicaid issues, I finally saw a dentist because I was in pain. He said I needed two molars pulled (as I didn't want to bother with root canals and getting silver crowns as that's all Medicaid pays for), and my partially-erupted, partially-impacted wisdom tooth that I'd been avoiding for so long really needed to finally come out.
I was slated to get IV sedation for this, but I was PETRIFIED. Like, telling my parents my final wishes and how to sell my possessions petrified. I've had mild sedation before, but never gone under general anesthesia or otherwise ''put to sleep.'' I need to feel in control of my body or I freak.
So I get there and they put oxygen on me (never had that before and it smelled weird) and hook me up to the monitor that makes me nervous because of all the beeping. I didn't realize they'd have to lift up my shirt to put on the electrode thing and I couldn't be sure if my diaper was showing (I'm very nearly 24/7). I tell the surgeon about all my fears and he asks if I want to do this awake. I agree, but they put this plastic block in my mouth to give me the novocaine that makes me want to choke, and expect me to keep it in my mouth the whole procedure. I'm crying, literally crying for my mom like a real toddler. They let her come in and she convinces me to get the sedative (and tells me no, my diaper's not showing. Yes, she knows.)
They hook me back up, put in the IV, and give the medicine. I hear some people talking, and all of sudden it's time to go home! I felt absolutely nothing.
So the sedative isn't quite as scary as I thought it would be, though I guess your experience can vary each time. I received stitches for the first time, although at the moment I'm a bit miffed that I can't really see them because all I see is blood.
I was slated to get IV sedation for this, but I was PETRIFIED. Like, telling my parents my final wishes and how to sell my possessions petrified. I've had mild sedation before, but never gone under general anesthesia or otherwise ''put to sleep.'' I need to feel in control of my body or I freak.
So I get there and they put oxygen on me (never had that before and it smelled weird) and hook me up to the monitor that makes me nervous because of all the beeping. I didn't realize they'd have to lift up my shirt to put on the electrode thing and I couldn't be sure if my diaper was showing (I'm very nearly 24/7). I tell the surgeon about all my fears and he asks if I want to do this awake. I agree, but they put this plastic block in my mouth to give me the novocaine that makes me want to choke, and expect me to keep it in my mouth the whole procedure. I'm crying, literally crying for my mom like a real toddler. They let her come in and she convinces me to get the sedative (and tells me no, my diaper's not showing. Yes, she knows.)
They hook me back up, put in the IV, and give the medicine. I hear some people talking, and all of sudden it's time to go home! I felt absolutely nothing.
So the sedative isn't quite as scary as I thought it would be, though I guess your experience can vary each time. I received stitches for the first time, although at the moment I'm a bit miffed that I can't really see them because all I see is blood.
