POZ Community Forums
Main Forums => Living With HIV => Topic started by: RAB on June 21, 2006, 09:55:41 am
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It's been nearly 4 years! :-[
I know, I know! :(
I am way overdue!
It's just I have this very real fear! It starts manifesting itself in the pit of my stomach. It travels to my head and produces a pounding ache.
I find myself forgetting to breath. My anxiety level goes off the charts and there isn't enough Ativan in North America to calm it!
This is completely irrational of course. :'(
Tomorrow, 10:00 a.m. to be precise, I go to the dentist.
I don't want to go! I really don't want to go. I've picked up the phone 3 times to cancel.
I am terrified of the dentist. Always have been.
I also worry about what they may find. Cancer? Gum disease. 10,000 cavities--each needing major drilling (scream!) I don't have dental insurance, so just covering the cost of this checkup with xrays ($125.00) is going to be a struggle. If they find something major--yikes.
I need a new night guard. I grind my teeth a lot at night. I've chewed through the old one. They'll want to make me a new one. Those things are very expensive. If I don't wear one though I risk cracking my teeth and that would be even worse.
O.K. I'm done with all the whining and imagined problems.
It's just I really hate going to the dentist.
10:00 a.m. tomorrow morning! SHIT! >:(
RAB
(Who hates going to the dentist)
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Hey Rocky,
I feel for you matey, I have the same dentist phobia, I avoid them for as long as I can and visits to that damn chair are hell.
xxx
Matt
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What you need to do, rocky, is master some relaxation techniques. Relax today. Nothing strenuous. A little exercise. Nice, deep breaths. Go out and rent a movie. And tonight, have a nice BBQ, a cocktail, then watch the movie.
Oh, by the way, the perfect movie? THE MARATHON MAN!! ("IS IT SAFE?")
robert
(who also needs to go but just hates the idea of paying someone for that kind of pain.)
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All that prodding...
drilling....
bleeding....
fist in your mouth....
shots.......
(http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A9gnMiAgWJlETMAAmKOjzbkF;_ylu=X3oDMTA4NDgyNWN0BHNlYwNwcm9m/SIG=125b4vn6q/EXP=1150986656/**http%3a//johnmarshallstudios.com/images/dentist.jpg)
What's the problem?
(Is this helping Rock?)
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Don't feel bad Rocky, I need to make an appointment too.
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HAHA! Love the pic J! Just what Rocky needs to see hahaha..
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Okay, the truth is, Dentists scare the shit out of me too.
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Hope all goes well, Rocky, and that there are no ugly surprises ($$$).
(My dad was a dentist, as are several uncles and both brother-in-laws. They are really very nice people!)
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Hey, I feel for you. I'm the same way about the dentist. My childhood dentist hit a nerve with the needle a few times when I was young. Talk about being traumatized at an early age! I didn't go for a few years a while back and paid for it with a couple of cavities and a crown. Now, I have dental insurance, but it doesn't really save me much money (unless I need another crown), but it keeps me from cancelling appts using the excuse that I can't afford it. Now, I brush 3+ times a day and floss every day. I haven't had a cavity in years and they say that my teeth are always immaculate. I did have to take a couple Valiums when I went for a crown a few years ago, though! Now, I just force myself to relax and do breathing exercises. Hell, if we can deal with HIV, the dentist should be a piece of cake right? Good luck with it.
David
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I am sure it is more expensive, but there are "sedation" dentists cropping up around here. I am also not sure what drug they give you to knock you out before hand and it might interact with your other meds, so you would definitely need to check that out.
Fear of going to the dentist in my early life has given me a mouth full of crowns and fillings. I still hate it and have to take valium too...no amount of breathing can calm me down when they hit a nerve and my teeth are super sensitive for some reason.
It might be worth finding a sedation dentist just to investigate the option.
Good luck.
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Ryan White will pay for dental services. It pays for mine. I go to the regional health department dental office and do it for free. HIV + people should take really good care of their teeth the meds can make your mouth dry and cause plaque and tarter to build up faster than on a person without this condition.
I am a fanatic about my teeth anyway. I brush/floss them several times a day. I don't like going to the dentist either & get a prescription for valium before each visit.
Good luck
Dan
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Hi Rocky,
Until a few years ago I never minded going to the dentist. Just accepted it like having to ride in a non-air conditioned train in the summer. You know, it sucks but you gotta get to where you gotta get.
Somewhere along the line something has shifted and while I don't get into an uproar, it's harder and harder for me to get myself into that chair. When I was having root canal I did allow the shreds of my mind to dirft and imagine having more appealing things in my mouth. (That actually helped).
I also was able to figure out just how long each step was going to take when being worked on so that gradually I knew when I was halfway finished for the visit. That helped. Oh good, I'm on my way out of here.
So I have just developed little tools and techniques for getting me through. It works in other situations too. If the appointment is for 1:00, I know that by X time I will be outta there and into the rest of my day.
And make sure you get plenty of novocaine.
Awaiting your report with big cheers,
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oh dear....I pity the dentist that's gonna have to deal with your bitchy ass! ;D
Have fun and let us know how it goes. I'm sure your checkup will be fine. I hope your dentist also gets to show you movies or pictures of your mouth to keep you occupied.
Cliff
(Who actually likes going to the dentist, for some strange reason.)
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The only part about seeing the dentist that I enjoy -- the ANESTHESIA!!! ;D I like it ALOT!!! 8) :)
Good luck Rocky... I will be thinking of you.
Love ya,
Trish :-*
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Cliff
(Who actually likes going to the dentist, for some strange reason.)
Definitely strange and disturbing Cliff. ::)
RAB,
I'll be thinking of you tomorrow morning while drinking my coffee..and possibly with a big grin on my face. ;D
The Canuck
(Who doesn't like dentist much either..not them as much as having the inside of my mouth becoming a playground for tools)
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Oh Rocky,
Get it over with.
I want no smelly breath next time you comfort me.....poor baby....
I will think of you tomorrow.
Hermie
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Cliff, say it aint so!
(heebeejeebees)
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Hi Rocky,
I took your attitude for years, and then when my teeth were falling out a few years ago, I finally broke down and went in to see what could be salvaged. Wouldn't you know, Root Canal, a couple of extractions, and finally the fitting of a false tooth.
Now for the good news. I discovered gas!!!. Oh that sweet smell of "I don't give a shit, just do it". I had never known that dentistry would ever be something that I would be able to tolerate, because Novocaine does little for my sensitive mouth. Then the doctor suggested that I try the aromatic stuff. Well, all I can say my dear, is this is the only way to FLY. Please do me a favor, and insist on gas, lots of it.
I will definitely be thinking of you in your state of trauma tomorrow.
In Love and Sadness.
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Rocky,
What you do is when you get into the dentist chair; you grab him firmly by the balls and say
“NOW WE DON’T WANT TO HURT EACH OTHER, DO WE?”
Terry (Who sees his hot, cute, young, gay dentist every six months.) ::)
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I feel for you. Just came from the dentist myself.....was in the chair 1.5 hours today. The hiv clinic dentist I see doesn't have gas available, but I agree with Tim -- if you're seeing a private dentist and he has to do much work in there, ask for the gas! I've had 3 root canals, and one endodontic surgical procedure, and was in the chair 4.5 hours for that.
My problem today was the fact that I desperately needed to pee the entire time he was working on me..... :'(
Alan
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Don't wait too long Rocky or you will be gumming your meds....or other things? Actually, I had my six month check-up yesterday. Dr. found a cavity...now the pain will be in my pocketbook. Dan is right...healthy teeth and gums are VERY important!
Hal ;D
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Er.... am I one of the few who are NOT afraid of dentists? I go there every six months (ok, sometimes i forget for other six months and one year has passed).
No. My dentist is not sexy (not for me, at least), just in case you were wondering ehehe ;-)
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Hello Rab,
Wishing you the best , at the dentist tomorrow. I am also one of those, that don't have a problem, with the dentist, and actually look forward to it.
The only thing I hate, is when they put the jaws of life in your mouth and stretch your mouth all to hell... :) Just Kidding !! :P
Your visit tomorrow, will be over with before you know it...
I remember a comedian once saying," you can tell how good your dentist is, by the amount of blood in his hair.. :o
The Best-----Ray
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Best of luck at the dentist Rocky...I'm sure all will be fine, as the good folks here have said don't be afraid to ask for whatever you need to make it painless...As far as the wallet, you can always make small payments, something coming in is better for the practicioner than nothing at all.
Jody ;D
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I see that everyone is going to the Dentist. My appointment is tomorrow at 11:00am.
You will be fine.
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Jeez, quit worrying.
Go get the checkup. If you need treatment, ask if he'll sedate you with some oral Halcion prior to the treatment. one or two .25mg tabs one hour prior to the appt and I hardly even remember what happened.....it's really almost pleasant. If you're on Norvir, one tab will be enough. Oh, and you'll have to get someone to take you there if you do this.....you can't drive.
As for the pain in the wallet. Can't help ya there. It is awfully expensive.
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My childhood dentist hit a nerve with the needle a few times when I was young. Talk about being traumatized
Same thing happened to my ex-boss. Since he told me that story it's now a damn phobia for me. @#&!!!!!!!!
And now your story. Double @#&!!!!!!!!
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I know how ya feel. When I get in that chair I'm so tense I don't bend. After having 6 shots of novacaine and still being able to feel the drilling, I try to avoid going as much as possible.
I really need to go bad myself. My teeth are in bad shape but I keep putting it off which only makes things worse and means more that needs to be done. Which makes me more afraid to go. Plus, even with insurance, I can't afford to have done what needs to be done so I put it off even more. It's a vicious cycle. :-[
I been stashing money in savings so I'll have some to get started on but that won't last long. I really dread it. :'(
I need to win the lottery... at least enough so I can afford it. :P
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HAVE THEM GAS YOU! ITS ALL GIGGLES AND BOOBS IN YOUR FACE... ;D
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I don't hate the dentist, mine is a fine human being with caring and compassion. I hate the procedures, the needles, the drilling and the smells.
Do you know what I hate more than that?
My dentist has done everything he can but I have to go to an Oral Surgeon. The nearest one who will accept Medi-Cal payment is UCSF in San Francisco. I have to go there for a consultation, it is over an hour away, my vehicle will not make it there because of cooling system problems. It takes 2 hours to get to the bus station and another 3 hours to get to SF, where oh where is UCSF once I get there. Then there is 5 hours to get home.
Then there is the procedure (on a different day) with 5 hours of travel on public transportation, each way. With all the drugs to keep me out and all the travel is one bad day. You may have read in some of my posts that I have problems with medications and short warnings before bowel movements... I can't control it and what if I take a dump on public transportation in Marvelous Marin? There is no one in the richest county in California who will help and the walk home is simply too far. I choose to live with a couple of broken teeth because a casual observer can not see them. I would trade disability income and benefits for a menial job with good health insurance in a heartbeat. Have the best day
Michael
www.Commission-on-AIDS.org (http://www.Commission-on-AIDS.org)
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Today is the big day Rocky!!!! ;D
- Cliff
(Who loves to see a sexy man sweat!)
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A dr once told me before a major surgery: BE BRAVE...I never forgot those two words, and refer to them on a regular basis. Good luck!
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Gud Murning mi cumrades
cupl more hours I go to toothy woothy guy ;D <<<<(see them toothy's? He He He)
noprooblum fur me
addvannnnnnn (oppsy) attackvan (oppsy) thos lil itsy white pill thingys wurk really well (He He He)
RuB
(Who tuk sum avan)
Tanks fur youur sport (cept you ewil 1s who tourmunted me) >:(
;D<<<looksy more toothies He He He
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Good luck Rock,
(by the way......SHOULD anything happen, can I have your new computer?)
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What's the problem?
:D :D :D :D :D LOL !!! that ain't right!!!! :D :D :D :D :D
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NO CAVITIES! NO GUM DISEASE!
;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
Just need a cleaning and a new night guard!
I told all you damn worry warts this was no big deal!
Sheesh, if you would all just listen to me! :P
RAB
(who firmly believes there are too damn many drama queens around here and he aint one of em! No siree Bob! :-[ )
Edited to correct spelling and to add this little official diagnosis--the dentist commented that I have a very small mouth! (YEP, NO ONE CAN EVER AGAIN ACCUSE ME OF BEING A BIG MOUTH!)
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I will pretend I never read that. :-\
The Canuck
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Hey there
I hope it goes well for you. You know, there are breathing and meditation exercises you can do. I get accupuncture and there are several places he puts needles that just send me up the wall...but he just says BREATH. And its all over.
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Hey Rocky
(http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h263/mediaman06/baby.jpg)
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LMAO!
John, you are one sick puppy.
Terry (I can’t see the keyboard from the tears in my eyes. I hope you never find Trish’s toy’s.)