Hi,
I have a pathological fear of dental work.
I also have Graves' disease, and I've been taking Valium for about a year and a half now for insomnia and anxiety related to Graves' disease. The Valium suddenly turned on me (i.e., it doesn't help much anymore except with sleep), and, about a half year ago, I had to start slowly tapering myself off the Valium at the suggestion of my doctor. I think my body just doesn't want the benzo anymore, as I keep breaking out when I take it. I went from 40 to 22 mg of the drug, just so everyone knows where I'm at. Going cold turkey off benzodiazepines is not an option, even though some people might think it is. I tried it once and wound up almost dying of kidney failure. Slow tapering is the way to safely get off these drugs. If you don't believe this, I encourage you to go to www.benzo.org.uk and read the Ashton Manual.
The problem is that I recently had an abscessed tooth, and I needed oral surgery. It turned out that three of my teeth were bad, and the surgeon pulled all of them. I was in a state of major panic prior to the procedure, since I have become tolerant to the Valium and it no longer helps me with anxiety.
To make a long story short, I was put under general anesthesia for the procedure which took two hours, and later the doctor told me that my blood pressure was so elevated during the surgery that he had to give me additional medication. My problem is that I need to see the dentist next week because the bridge I was given no longer fits in my mouth. My regular dentist inserted it too early and it was painful and I had to stop wearing it. I am afraid to see the dentist because I believe the Valium is making my teeth go bad and I am afraid I will need either a filling or more extractions.
How can I overcome this dreadful fear of dentists? I can go to the doctor with no problem. I even recently had a rectal exam and wasn't scared. How can I go through with my visit to the dentist next week? Every time I need to go, I have terrible IBS attacks and panic attacks.
My regular doctor told me that, if my blood pressure is elevated prior to seeing the dentist, I could take a blood pressure pill, but the problem is that my BP is unstable and sometimes it runs low.
Any suggestions would help. I TELL myself that I am only going for an exam and to have my bridge readjusted, but my logical brain and my emotions are not always in synch.
Regards,
Genie
I celebrate myself today. I am alive. I am growing. I am willing to do all I am able to do to be the best of who I am. |
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