POZ Community Forums

Main Forums => Living With HIV => Topic started by: Mouse on August 20, 2006, 06:46:44 pm

Title: I need your wisdom!
Post by: Mouse on August 20, 2006, 06:46:44 pm
Because I'm losing mine.  :-\

Tomorrow morning at like 9:30 I'm going in to have my wisdom teeth taken ouuuuuttt. I'm so freaked. They told me I could decide between general and local and I said general but now I'm rethinking my decision because I'm such a wimp. General scares me and I've had local done a bazillion and infinity one times.

I was thisfuckingclose to getting them to reschedule but then my cold cleared up and I was like GODDAMNIT. xD.

Gaaahh, what should I expect? How long until the pain goes away? Everyone has been mean and has been telling me horror stories. My stepsister told me about how her brother went into cardiac arrest under general. x_x;. People have been talking to me about drooling blood and pain and how getting the bottom ones out are the WORST. They're not doing the top ones because they're not grown in yet, and they might never have to do them. But, yeah.

Please be nicer than people have been so far. xD.
Title: Re: I need your wisdom!
Post by: blondbeauty on August 20, 2006, 06:50:24 pm
I had a rhinoplasty done with general anesthesia. I peed on my pants when I woke up...and suffered shivers an cold for almost 8 hours. It was horrible. But with local you will hear al the noise of bones breaking inside your head...you choose. :-[
Title: Re: I need your wisdom!
Post by: Mouse on August 20, 2006, 06:51:38 pm
... eep.
 :-\
Title: Re: I need your wisdom!
Post by: blondbeauty on August 20, 2006, 06:56:29 pm
Good luck tomorrow  ;D. I would choose general anaesthesia
Title: Re: I need your wisdom!
Post by: Mouse on August 20, 2006, 06:57:00 pm
What have I ever done to you? Haha.  :D
Title: Re: I need your wisdom!
Post by: blondbeauty on August 20, 2006, 07:02:35 pm
Really..I wouldn´t be able to have my mouth open for a long time an hearing, "crack, crack" all the time. I prefer to be asleep and wake up as if nothing had happened. If you pee they will give you very nice green "operating room" pants. I like Mice!
Title: Re: I need your wisdom!
Post by: Nadine on August 20, 2006, 07:04:42 pm
Hey little buddy,

Don't worry too much, OK?  My daughter had all of hers pulled out, 2 at a time...she had no trouble at all. She is a big wimp LOL
She only had a local, was sent home with some pain meds and the next day felt pretty good!
I realize everyone will have different experiences, just don't work yourself up too much. You're gonna do just fine!

((HUGS))
Title: Re: I need your wisdom!
Post by: penguin on August 20, 2006, 07:15:17 pm
mouse, i think you made the right choice.  you would probably feel quite uncomfortable having them out under local anaesthetic.

the general, is hardly even a general, just a quick, light nap almost..they don't need to put you too far under, cos they don't need to take long to do it!

 I had all four of mine out at once, under general..i was awake and getting ready to go home within an hour and a half.

guessing your mum will be there to take you home afterwards, and be around to check on you? they will give you some pain relief meds to take home i imagine, prob some antibiotics too. the important thing is to keep mouth clean afterwards, so they'll either give you some antiseptic mouthwash, or suggest rinsing with warm salty water.

look on this as a great excuse to eat ice cream, jello, chocolate pudding... :)
will be thinking of you - you'll be fine, i promise.

Kate x
Title: Re: I need your wisdom!
Post by: emeraldize on August 20, 2006, 07:21:31 pm
Monsieur Mouse: You're  going to be fine no matter which mode you choose. Dentistry has become a better and better medical art. Follow your pain management, and post-op guidelines closely---you'll be fine. I had all four done many years ago and most recently had my first (hopefully only) molar extracted as an adult. Key for me was using the salt water rinses as indicated and ice---again, follow YOUR post-extraction directions. Great that you have someone to be with you as well. You'll be laughing, chewing, speaking clearly and smiling, in no time. Don't get stressed about it---there's no need to waste that energy on something that will have a monitored outcome. Em
Title: Re: I need your wisdom!
Post by: J.R.E. on August 20, 2006, 07:37:43 pm


I had all of mine done... I guess I was in my 30's then, with just the local. Didn't have any problem, whatsover. You just take it easy for a couple days,  No peanut brittle, or sharp food...! No sucking on straws, for a couple days, this is to prevent dry sockets from forming, which can be painful. They may give you some prescription pain medication, but tylenol, or advil works too.



Ray
Title: Re: I need your wisdom!
Post by: LatinAlexander on August 20, 2006, 08:06:00 pm
Hi Man:

Well, I got rid of my bottoms a long time ago. It was local , and I saw the doctor struggling to get them out...Actualy, It was kinda funny. I did not feel a thing...But when the local was gone, It was painful (pain left me 24 hours later). They had to put some sutures on my gums then. But besides that, it was ok.

Just get ready to eat a soft diet, and try not to chew a lot. But In less than a week I was fully operational again.

(I'll have to get rid of my tops as well..)

Alex

Title: Re: I need your wisdom!
Post by: Morton Salt on August 20, 2006, 08:10:14 pm
I HAD 2 TEETH PULLED ABOUT 9 MONTHS AGO.  I HAD THE LOCAL.  PERSONALLY, I LIKE TO HERE THE TEETH BRAKING OFF MY JAW.  AND THE FEELING IS SOMETHING I RATHER ENJOYED AS WELL.

~Morton Salt
Title: Re: I need your wisdom!
Post by: texasguy on August 20, 2006, 08:11:05 pm
Hey Mouse,

Had that done when I was 21 I think.  They never offered to put me under, just a local.  I can't say it was a pleasant day, but it wasn't that painful.  Assuming that they are not impacted, seriously decayed, etc., in which case they would have suggested putting you under.  I've had root canals that were far worse than having the wisdoms pulled.  They healed up in a few days with no problems.  When they tell you not to smoke or suck on straws, please do what they say.  That can lead to a condition known as "dry socket", and that is a whole different story.  You do not want to go there.  And that goes for having any tooth pulled.  Just follow their instructions during the healing and you will be fine!

...and what Latin says is true.  It is a bit of a struggle.  But not in a painful sort of way.  Just weird, like fighting the doctor in the chair like professional wrestling.  Afterwards, I actually thought that was kinda funny.  Must have been quite a sight!  
Title: Re: I need your wisdom!
Post by: Matty the Damned on August 20, 2006, 08:48:12 pm
Baby-Boi,

Listen to Matty the Damned now honey. I've got one word to say:

GENERAL!!!!!!

Seriously. Don't do local. Don't ask me why because you don't want to know. Just have the general.

MtD
(Who really knows about this stuff)
Title: Re: I need your wisdom!
Post by: Eldon on August 20, 2006, 09:53:23 pm
Hey Jaser, it is Eldon. I had my top wisdom tooth pulled about a month and a half ago and they did not put me under. She (my Dentist) had the tooth out before I could have any kind of reaction to the pulling tool that she used.

Like Matty recommends, go General and you will be fine.
Title: Re: I need your wisdom!
Post by: cjc on August 20, 2006, 10:02:10 pm
Hello, i have had teeth pulled both with local and general. the dentist that did the local pulled my tooth with 1 motion but I am assuming she  is very skilled. I had all 4 wisdom teeth pulled at the same time and that dentist used the general which I felt worked well. Go with the general because if they have to break your teeth to get them out it's very unpleasant. also make sure no straws or cigs( i don't know if you smoke but if you do stop ) because the pulling motion causes dry socket which is very painful.    good luck.   Cristy
Title: Re: I need your wisdom!
Post by: LatinAlexander on August 20, 2006, 10:47:43 pm
...and what Latin says is true.  It is a bit of a struggle.  But not in a painful sort of way.  Just weird, like fighting the doctor in the chair like professional wrestling.  Afterwards, I actually thought that was kinda funny.  Must have been quite a sight!  

Mouse, what TexasGuy is saying, for me at least, was funny. My tooth were so deep, that doctor was close to put a leg on my chair to be able to get it. That is how a robot must feel. No pain, but like if your mother would be cleaning up your knobs.

Hey TexasGuy, thank you for your words in my other post. :)
Title: Re: I need your wisdom!
Post by: wellington on August 21, 2006, 12:40:55 am
General is the way to go. You don't want to be moving about while things are being done in there, especially if you've got impactions in the top teeth as they can be very close to the sinus cavity and the bone is rather thin.

My personal experience was exceptionally good. 3 semi-impactions and all 4 removed under general. A little stiffness in the jaw from it being stretched during the procedure but nothing serious. I didn't have any significant bleeding post-procedure that I recall and since I like to play tongue hockey alot, my stictches were prime targets - they came out within about 10 days all on their own. The only negative I experienced was a bit of swelling for the first few days that made me look like I was hoarding nuts for the winter. [And I do like nuts *evil grin*]

Go in with a great relaxed attitude and come out with fantastic results dude!
Title: Re: I need your wisdom!
Post by: bobik on August 21, 2006, 04:43:31 am
Hey Mouse,
I had the local thing. it was managable. I think you would survive both, you're a strong guy!

Coen
Title: Re: I need your wisdom!
Post by: Christine on August 21, 2006, 09:41:57 am
Hello,
I had all four taken out, all impacted, with general anesthesia. Afterwards I was swollen, looked like a chipmunk for a while. I did have some pain, but not intolerable. Pain pills and icecream helped. One thing I did do that I would not advise is watched a funny movie the next day. I hurt to laugh..so there I was laughing, and then going ouch!!

Keep the area clean, what ever they tell you to do- rinse, brush make sure you do it, even if it sort of hurts a bit.

You'll be fine! Enjoy the ice cream, pudding and jello!!
Christine
Title: Re: I need your wisdom!
Post by: cmhjeff on August 21, 2006, 09:57:48 am
General? Local? Okay I don't know the difference. I had mine taken out over 2 appointments. I was only numbed up and i was awake so does that mean local? For me it really wasn't that bad. I was given Tylenol III for the pain but didn't use much of it at all. Like Ray said no sucking! I didn't experience it but I hear dry socket isn't pleasant. I was back to work after 4 days the first set of 2 and just 3 days after the second set.
Title: Re: I need your wisdom!
Post by: Lwood on August 21, 2006, 11:43:09 am
Make sure to post some pics,  perhaps you'll be known as 'Chipmunk' for a few days....
Title: Re: I need your wisdom!
Post by: sweetasmeli on August 21, 2006, 01:16:24 pm
My mum called me chipmonk after I had mine out!  ;D
I had all out under general. I remember when I was given the choice, I told them I wanted to be as close to dead as possible!
Kali tuxi (good luck in Greek!)

Melia :)
Title: Re: I need your wisdom!
Post by: Mouse on August 21, 2006, 01:59:50 pm
Well, I did it. And it was miserable.

I hated being under general. It was fun WHILE I was under but afterwards the shock of like reality again really threw me off, and I was dizzy and weak - but surprisngly I didn't get nauseous until I got home and like a half hour ago I started drooling blood like crazy so I took the gauze out and changed it and I think I'm done bleeding like that but I have this in just to be sure. I have stitches so it's not like they're just gaping holes. I'm keeping ice on each side alternating and I've sipped a smoothie and stuff.

They gave me Vicodin, I'm not taking it. I can bare the pain.
Title: Re: I need your wisdom!
Post by: LatinAlexander on August 21, 2006, 03:29:13 pm
OOOHHH  MOUSIE!!!! :(

You will beat it...I can remember the pain again...eeewww. But nothing like feeling that you cannot eat!!!!.

GO FOR IT MOUSE!!!

Alex
Title: Re: I need your wisdom!
Post by: ACinKC on August 21, 2006, 03:56:24 pm
Mousy is that you....

(http://www.screamstress.com/wp-content/13vcdentist.jpg)
Title: Re: I need your wisdom!
Post by: Christine on August 22, 2006, 11:12:02 am
Our Mouse is now a chipmunk!

If it starts to hurt more, take the Vicoden. It will heal pretty fast. Keep the area clean, keep sipping your smoothies, and hang in there.

Thinking of you!
Christine

I forgot to add. If you ever need general again in the future, you can ask for medication so you won't throw-up afterwards. I think last time I had general they gave me IV Zofran. It worked really well.
Title: Re: I need your wisdom!
Post by: allopathicholistic on August 22, 2006, 11:19:33 am
yay for Jaser! 3 cheers for being brave and for doing what needs to be done!  what doesn't kill you makes you tougher! your mouth will be thanking you soon enough
Title: Re: I need your wisdom!
Post by: wellington on August 22, 2006, 01:18:48 pm
You might also want to find out what was the general anaesthetic used. As there are a few kinds, if ever you need one again you can try a different flavour :D
Title: Re: I need your wisdom!
Post by: Mouse on August 22, 2006, 10:04:22 pm
Update: Day 2-

No nausea. I'm sleeping good. I'm not even a little sore.

But I'm KFJ:SJB:IEH*#(UESLKFJ:S HUNGRY.

If I have to eat ONE more smoothie or ONE more bowl of applesauce oasfdj;ldjfla I swear to GOD. As soon as I can chew again I may ambush some meaty people on the street and eat them whole. Rrrawwwwr. That's a lot coming from a veggie.
 :D

Okay, but the ice cream isn't bad, <.<;;. And I've started eating some soup so that's cool, too.

I'm a teeny tiny bit swollen, but my mom can't even tell and I can just feel it, so that's a good thing. And I even slacked off on the ice so that's even better that I'm doing well without any help, really.

Bah. I'll be happy when things are back to normal though.

PS: <.<;. I'm such a little kid. I made mom pick up some videos of Wishbone (... he's a talking dog that imagines himself in stories from classic literature... shut up. I'm 15. I can still watch that stuff without being too pathetic.)

And people feeling alll bad for me is tolerable, too.
 ;D
Title: Re: I need your wisdom!
Post by: jkinatl2 on August 22, 2006, 10:09:58 pm
:) Welcome to the world of the wisdom-less. I think you made the right choice re: anesthetic. Just go slow and take care of the healing process, and it ought to be smooth sailing back to the world of the crunchy.

And screw what other people think. Watch what makes you happy.

Title: Re: I need your wisdom!
Post by: Matty the Damned on August 23, 2006, 06:24:00 am
Squeakie-boi,

Matty the Damned says: SUFFA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

;)

MtD
(Who has no sympathy)  :P
Title: Re: I need your wisdom!
Post by: MoltenStorm on August 23, 2006, 01:28:14 pm
Just hope you don't get what's called "dry socket." I did when I had mine out. My mouth didn't quit hurting until after a month. The ache in my teeth drove me nuts. I seriously wanted to rip them out with my bare hands some days. Vicodin helped me sleep good, but it didn't numb the pain - neither did 1000mg of Ibuprofen & 1000mg of Tylenol Extra Strength with Codine. What did work was oil of clove. It is the nastiest tasting stuff, but it numbed everything, and I do mean EVERYTHING.

General anesthesia is the better way to go (IMO) because I'm the first to admit I'm a wuss at the dentist. Knock me out cold, or you ain't touching me. That's what I tell 'em everytime I go for something like that.
Title: Re: I need your wisdom!
Post by: AlanBama on August 23, 2006, 02:44:02 pm
Hi Jaser,

Glad you are recovering nicely.  I had all mine out when I was in my mid 20's, and had very little difficulty, only mild swelling.

Hugs,

Alan (who LOVES Wishbone!  He is so cute)