Aibu to be such a wimp

[Thoughtfulduck]

Recently a premolar tooth has grown in the roof of my mouth (was embedded, then I had braces hence no room so it's appeared in a strange place). I am due to have it out next month at the hospital and the dr wants to do it under local anaesthetic.

It's right up against my other teeth and not fully emerged so I can't see it being a particularly comfortable procedure.

The main problem is I'm terrified of needles and the thought of having a local anaesthetic is making me want to cry. I faint every time I have any injection and have very loud, intense scary dreams which have made me even more scared! Would I be unreasonable to ask for an alternative?! Is it possible? I wouldn't mind a general as I'll be out before I faint, or some kind of gas.

My dp thinks I'm being silly but the thought of it actually brings me close to tears. I normally have a "just get on with it" attitude, but I know I wouldn't want to be The person trying to put their hands in my mouth to inject me... I have visions of me biting them in panic! Should I try to just get on with it or try and discuss an alternative?

[Hatespiders]

I have very severe dental phobia and I feel for you I really do.
Have you considered asking for sedation? It's almost the same as a general anaesthetic but you're conscious yet unaware.
It's delivered through a canula on your hand, but once this is inserted you'll know no more.
I've had several extractions like this and can't remember a thing.

[SorchaN]

I don't know anything about dentistry and alternatives to anaesthetic, but I wonder if you could ask your GP for some valium just to get you through the procedure. I have a friend who is terrified of cervical smear tests and takes valium to get through it.

[Iamcuriouslyskanky]

Talk to your dentist, he/she can prescribe you Valium to take the edge off

[toomuchtooold]

I'd second the sedation idea, spiders. I had IVF egg collection under sedation. I can't remember anything that happened after they put in the cannula and asked me to count back. And because it was only sedation I needed no help breathing, which makes it much more straightforward to perform (i.e. my clinic could do it - people needing anaesthetic had to do it as an inpatient at a local hospital).

[meglet]

yanbu. I refused to have LLETZ on my cervix under a local, really wasn't keen on looking at the ceiling while they lasered it. The consultant was fine doing it under a GA.

[CarbeDiem]

Ahh tough one.
I'm scared of dentists, not the needles, just the actual going in there and sitting down to get things done.
I normally get sedated but that involves needles so no good.
Even with generals, in my experience, you are prepped before going down to surgery - so cannula already in place.

You are not being silly, you have a real fear and that's NOT silly.
Do you have time to see your own GP or contact the Dr who's going to do it and explain - maybe you can get some diazepam to relax you??

I really feel for you.

[lollygagger]

Oooooooo, ask for valium. It is loooooovely and you won't care a jot that you're getting a needle.

[Thoughtfulduck]

Thanks for the replies everyone. I am so glad to hear that there are ways to get through this other than just "being brave".

This is all happening at the hospital so does anyone know if I'm best to contact my GP, dentist or the hospital to discuss Valium or sedation? This is all a new experience!

[GokTwo]

Feel for you op. DW has a really severe phobia of many things dental including needles. She was sedated (heavily!) for a procedure in her back and said it was really effective. I think when they saw how anxious she was they made sure she wouldn't feel a thing!!! Good luck to you!!

[GokTwo]

Sorry, meant to say "many things medical"

[Mrsmorton]

You should speak to the person doing the procedure. If you turn up smacked off your tits on something that someone else has prescribed, you will not be competent to consent to the extraction.

[Sistedtwister]

I'd ask for sedation.

I had spinal block and sedation for a hip replacement. I knew what was happening but was away with the faeries most of the time.

I do remember very clearly seeing my foot at an impossible angle at one point and saying 'that can't be mine' the surgeon popped his head around the screen and said 'well it sure as hell ain't mine. So I went back to listening to cold play on the iPod until the theme to greys anatomy came on, then it all got far too surreal for me so I decided to go to sleep.

It's very strange but you really don't care very much about what's happening

[Sistedtwister]

Oh and I used to be a dental nurse, impacted teeth very often have short/ no roots so it may be an easy extraction. Which is why they're doing it under local.

That doesn't help you and your fear though.

[Thoughtfulduck]

That's a good point MrsMorton!

I think I'm going to ask for sedation, thank you for all the help