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Phobic and panicking!! 2

(34 Posts)
Narnia Wed 03-Dec-25 17:46:07

Some may remember my original post on this
Now i have the appointment next week 😭
Im literally counting the hours dreading it.
I absolutely don't want to make a fool of myself on the day, especially if others in the waiting room. My Husband will take me, but he's not the most empathetic. I'm not sure how i will walk from the waiting room to the surgery.
Im probably building it up so much in my own brain, but i had some lovely replies last time. I just need a bit of a push/hug/virtual courage x

Esmay Wed 03-Dec-25 18:30:37

I'll say a prayer for you .
I understand how you feel .
So many people are phobic .
You are not alone.
Most husbands aren't good at being sympathetic . Can you go with a friend?
It's women who are normally more caring .

Last weekend I ended up waiting hours in A and E for emergency treatment and I was alone .
My friends were working or just unavailable. One tried to send her paramedic daughter and another offered her mum (a lady that I've met once).
But that were kind and well meant.
It was harrowing and upsetting .
I was nearly admitted yesterday and might be if my condition doesn't improve .

Get Well soon and God Bless you.
Love ,
Esmay
X

Lathyrus3 Wed 03-Dec-25 18:40:23

I don’t remember your post. Do you mind saying what it is ?

petra Wed 03-Dec-25 18:43:48

I was like you. I would actually cry in the waiting room.
But the last time this happened was in the late 80s.
He wasn’t a dentist I’d been to before.
He was so kind and understanding I’ve never been frightened since.
It saved me money as well. I would always have private treatment and was given a knockout injection.
You can get over the fear.

BlueBelle Wed 03-Dec-25 18:47:43

I m not sure what this is about either Lathyrus I thought it was probably about going in a scanner but sounds like a dental problem
I have a bit of a phobia about dental problems too so totally understand but you have to gird your loins snd pull your big girl pants up and do it

Babs03 Wed 03-Dec-25 18:54:24

Am having an extraction on friday, had nothing but trouble with one of my back teeth resulting in a dental abscess that felt like a rat was chewing through my jaw and cheek. I also have a phobia but on this occasion just want an end to the pain so will shut my eyes and pray for it to be as brief as possible.
I know how you are feeling Narnia - if this is a dental procedure - but just concentrate on a few hours in the future from your appointment when you will be so relieved and at home.

Allira Wed 03-Dec-25 19:51:53

I absolutely don't want to make a fool of myself on the day,

You won't, Narnia.

Luckily my dentist is lovely and I have realised that the chat we have before she takes a look is to put me at my ease. I hope yours is the same.

Remember Pam Ayres!

SueDonim Wed 03-Dec-25 21:51:22

I’m not sure if we’re talking about a dental issue. If it is that, Narnia have you told the dentist of your fears? They must see this week in, week out, and will understand how you feel. I hope it goes well. flowers

petra Wed 03-Dec-25 21:57:41

SueDonim

I’m not sure if we’re talking about a dental issue. If it is that, Narnia have you told the dentist of your fears? They must see this week in, week out, and will understand how you feel. I hope it goes well. flowers

It is a dental procedure.
The OP did post about her fear.

absent Wed 03-Dec-25 22:08:57

I suspect that most people have at least some anxiety when a dentist is probing around in their mouths. It's an atavistic response because it is the one place that does not protect the brain.

crazyH Wed 03-Dec-25 22:20:26

Yes, I too think it’s a dental problem. I think the dentist said he/she couldn’t save her teeth - I think it was her front teeth..
Now, I could be totally wrong.
Narmia do cone back and tell us how you got on

Narnia Thu 04-Dec-25 07:43:34

Hi, sorry i thought the original post was still visible.
Yes it's the dentist. I'm having sedation at the hospital not my own dentist.
2 extractions, one has given me jip for over a year with infections, the other isn't a problem but needs a filling. As it's at the back of my mouth and my gag reflex is very bad, they decided to just remove that too.
I've waited a year for the appointment and it has been on my mind every single day!

eddiecat78 Thu 04-Dec-25 09:06:47

The first thing I would say is to stop worrying about "making a fool of yourself in front of others". Everyone else will be thinking about themselves and not notice you, and if you do have a wobble in public, so what? You're not likely to see any of these people ever again so it doesn't matter what they think.
A lot of your stress will go if you can stop caring about this.
I've suffered from anxiety most of my life and I have ALWAYS found that the anticipation is much worse than the reality. Trust me, you will be able to walk from the waiting room to the surgery.

Leavesden Thu 04-Dec-25 14:00:50

Maybe try bachs rescue remedy, you just spray it in your mouth to calm you down, or breathing techniques,also try to focus your mind on a happy occasion in the past. I always take my kindle with me when I’m in a waiting room takes your mind of things.

Robin202 Thu 04-Dec-25 14:03:48

Might I suggest you make an appointment with a good hypnotherapist prior to your dental appt if its possible.
A good hypnotherapist will help you with this fear. They can tackle most fears and phobias and will suggest a coping mechanism too.

Applegran Thu 04-Dec-25 14:22:35

I am sorry you are feeling so very afraid. In case it is any help - here is what I do for root canal work or extractions. I remember that the dentist is an expert and I can trust them. I breathe. I then go for a walk in a beautiful place I know well - in my mind's eye. I take my time on the walk and notice things like the bench I pass, or a place with flowers in the grass. It really does work - you could start on your walk in the waiting room. If a country walk does not work for you, then choose something else like going round a supermarket you know, or up and down your street......or anywhere you know well. Much of your brain is involved with visual things and this works because it can't keep panicking at the same time as visualising this walk.

Dodo43 Thu 04-Dec-25 14:48:56

What a brilliant message Applegran.
Is it possible that people of our generation can still clearly recall how awful it was going to the dentist 50 or 60 years ago? I know I do. When I go to the dentist, I also feel very anxious. But I remind myself how things have improved... dental techniques, that is., and it is never as bad as I feared it would be. And ultimately, of course, there is a reason why we go- because it is to make things better for us.
Good luck Narnia with trying out some of the helpful advice offered here.

Erica23 Thu 04-Dec-25 15:49:33

Narnia I do feel for you. A phobia is something very different to the feeling of being scared. But I see you’ve opted for sedation so you will have no recollection of what’s gone on only the feeling of relief when it’s over.
Your dentist will have lots of patients like you, so try not to overthink things. The very best of luck to you. do come back and let us know how you areflowers

Grandmamie Thu 04-Dec-25 15:52:08

I had sedation a while ago for an eye operation. Imagine the most wonderful post- G&T glow, amplified…….look forward to that feeling.

Mojack26 Thu 04-Dec-25 17:32:57

What do you have appt. for?

Jaxjacky Thu 04-Dec-25 17:47:15

Mojack if you read the post the OP explained at 07:43 today.

Narnia Thu 04-Dec-25 19:06:46

Applegran, thank you i will definitely try that!

Suzieque66 Fri 05-Dec-25 10:32:06

I used to hate having the nurses jab and rejab my arm to get a needle in to take bloods ... it seems such a silly thing , and I sailed through the chemo and radiation only to become terrified as my veins were collapsing due to all the treatments .

granfromafar Fri 05-Dec-25 10:44:42

Having sedation is wonderful! I had it for an extraction a few months ago, and don't remember a thing about the procedure. Apart from not being able to drive home afterwards, there's no problem. It'll be over before you know it!

Smileless2012 Fri 05-Dec-25 11:12:25

You'll be fine Narnia. Several years ago when my dentist told me I needed an extraction, I burst into tears blush.

He arranged for me to go to another practice so I could have sedation and everything went well.

Try not to worry flowers.