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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To ask what your experience of IV Sedation was like? (Wisdom Teeth)

24 replies

GoldenOldies · 10/10/2023 15:06

Never been sedated. Never been put under. Only surgery I’ve ever had was mole removal, so really out of my depth.

Im terrified of losing control, or of not being aware of my surroundings. I’m terrified of doing something embarrassing or choking in my “sleep”. I’m terrified of not remembering what happened. I’m terrified of something happening and dying in the chair.

I originally wanted to be awake no matter what, but the oral surgeon has recommended sedation, so after thinking about it, I’ve decided to do it under sedation.

Can people please share their experiences? Did they remember what happened after? Was it bad? Did you embarrass yourself? Were there complications? Etc…

OP posts:

Nagado · 10/10/2023 15:19

I had mine done at our local hospital when I was 19 as a day surgery.

I remember being told to count backwards and then absolutely nothing until I woke up in the area where they parked people due to wake up after operations. I felt pretty groggy (like I’d just woken up from a really deep sleep before I was ready to) and my jaw was aching. I do remember feeling really relieved that I’d been completely out of it and didn’t feel or hear anything. And I was nibbling on a cheese sandwich an hour or so later.

Edited to add that the only horrible bit of the whole process was rinsing my mouth out with warm salt water for a week or so afterwards. And rather that than dry socket or toothache. Not so bad in the grand scheme of things. If I hypothetically grew new wisdom teeth, I’d be happy to have it done again.

caerdydd12 · 10/10/2023 15:23

Is IV sedation the same as just being put to sleep? If so, you won't remember anything from being out. You'll be nodding off and before you know it you'll hear a doctor saying your name to wake you back up. I had my wisdom teeth removed under GA and had a sore throat afterwards but that's only because you spend a while asleep with your mouth open and the breathing tube can be a bit scratchy, but you honestly won't know a thing that's happened.

Nothing embarrassing will happen while you're under, it's not sleeping like you do at night, you won't be snoring or dreaming or anything.

I was asked to count to 10 and by the time I got to 3 or 4 I was fast off. The anaesthetic feels cold going up your arm initially but it's just a strange feeling rather than a bad one.

Nursemumma92 · 10/10/2023 15:33

IV sedation will just make you feel sleepy and a bit fuzzy it is not like going under a GA. You will not lose control but might be a bit sleepy and not totally aware of your surroundings in the way that you're not when you're asleep. You may not remember the procedure but that's not a bad thing, it's not pleasant which us exactly why they are giving you the sedation.

You won't suddenly not remember where you are or what was happening, and they will talk to you throughout if you want them to, or if you are comfortable dozing then they will leave you to relax. If you seemed at all distressed then they will reassure you.

You are unlikely to do anything embarrassing, but if you do then the staff will have seen and heard it all before. And when I say if you do something embarrassing I'm thinking along the lines of loose lipped things people say when a bit drunk.

The anaesthetist giving the sedation will be highly trained and the risk of dying from Iv sedation is incredibly miniscule- 1 in 1,000,000 I believe it is for a healthy person. They will give the minimum amount possible and there are always reversal drugs drawn up ready to give in the event of an emergency.

Wishing you all the best with the procedure.

IHeartGeneHunt · 10/10/2023 15:36

I had it for one of my wisdom teeth, absolutely fine. I actually went to sleep, woke up and it was all over.

AngelicInnocent · 10/10/2023 15:37

Had this done twice last year. Was like a really fuzzy and warm sensation. Like when you are just about to doze off under a duvet when the room is cold. Stuff going on around you is kind of like a really vivid dream.

Then they say your name and tell you it's all done. Apart from a lot of drool, no loss of control etc

Original poster

GoldenOldies · 10/10/2023 15:46

caerdydd12 · 10/10/2023 15:23

Nothing embarrassing will happen while you're under, it's not sleeping like you do at night, you won't be snoring or dreaming or anything.

I was asked to count to 10 and by the time I got to 3 or 4 I was fast off. The anaesthetic feels cold going up your arm initially but it's just a strange feeling rather than a bad one.

The receptionist said it’s not the same thing. I’ll be awake, just dulled

OP posts:

SaracensMavericks · 10/10/2023 15:50

I had sedation for a wisdom tooth removal. Although I was awake, I have absolutely no memory of it, so for me it was the same as being unconscious. No complications, quick recovery, all good.

Silverdogblue · 10/10/2023 15:52

OP, there are some helpful replies on your other thread. You won’t be “put under”. Its not permitted to give general anaesthesia in dental practices/primary care locations anymore.

The big difference is that you are in control of your own breathing when you’re sedated. You will likely zone out and not remember anything. You may say something daft but I did extractions on thousands of sedated patients and I can’t remember a single thing out of all the daft things that must have been said so please don’t worry about that.

The team will be very professional and you will be in excellent hands.

thecatinthetwat · 10/10/2023 16:00

I’ve had it done before without sedation and I would say get the sedation!

I am due to have more taken out and will ask for the sedation this time.

can anyone say how long it took for the appointment to come through, as I’m still waiting?

delop · 10/10/2023 16:00

I had it done 2 weeks ago. They sat me down in a chair, had a quick chat about which teeth to take out (3). Then they put an IV line in my arm and told me to relax. I took deep breaths and then I can't remember much more. I wasn't asleep, but I have no memory of the first part. After a while they said they'd taken the first 2 teeth out, and then would be doing the 3rd. I have a bit more memory of them preparing to take that one out, but it's kind of vague - I couldn't feel them doing anything and I closed my eyes. No pain at all during the procedure. I don't know if I did anything embarrassing, I have no memory at all.

I felt fairly alert afterwards- they insisted that I should get a taxi home afterwards, but I would have been fine on the tube. I had to have a relative accompany me on the way home. I was back to looking after my toddler afterwards a few hours later. I was in pain with quite a bit of swelling over the next week, but I was doing everything I normally do including taking the dcs out.

This was IV sedation, not GA. The waiting list for GA is about a year at the dental hospital, but the wait for sedation is not as long, up to a couple of months. Local anaesthetic procedures can be seen even quicker, but I didn't want to be fully conscious.

KneeQuestion · 10/10/2023 16:03

i had it. It was lovely!

I giggled as it took affect and the procedure felt like seconds.

was fine after.

100% recommend.

rebeccachoc · 10/10/2023 16:04

I went to sleep woke up trying to say pain, pain then off to sleep again until it was over. So for a couple of a seconds of discomfort, I would totally recommend it.

Amortentia · 10/10/2023 16:25

I have similar fears about being put under, but it is far better than being awake. I had a wisdom tooth out awake and it was horrendous and the local anaesthetic wasn’t strong enough, the tooth was really difficult to remove and I ended up with severe swelling and bruising. Second one was done under sedation and was so easy, no bruising or trauma. I was very nervous about losing control etc but more worried about experiencing the first experience again. It was absolutely fine.

Original poster

GoldenOldies · 10/10/2023 17:50

Thanks everyone! I know I’m being a big baby and that people do this everyday, but I can’t help what I’m terrified of

This time tomorrow though it’ll be over

OP posts:

DiDonk · 10/10/2023 17:56

Had very recently and it was, as others have said absolutely great, one minute chatting with the anaesthetist, a few moments of being really very high indeed, then it was all over.

I know I wasn't actually asleep but might as well have been.

DiDonk · 10/10/2023 17:57

Meant to say good luck!

DilemmaDelilah · 10/10/2023 17:58

I had IV sedation just yesterday, for something different. I remember some bits vaguely, but I don't remember any pain and it was what is generally considered a painful procedure.
My OH had conscious sedation several years ago as he had a severe dental phobia and he needed several teeth out and a root canal filling. He doesn't remember anything at all about it. He was able to walk to the pharmacy and the car park afterwards and then went to sleep for the half hour journey home. I just had a 2 hour nap in the afternoon, I was very tired but I'm not well anyway.
I hope this helps... Good luck.

CharlotteFlax · 10/10/2023 18:00

The most delicious dental experience I've ever had!

I was told I'd be conscious but no part of me remembers anything to do with the actual dental work, not a dicky bird.

Hope all goes well for you!

sunnydayhereandnow · 10/10/2023 18:02

I had sedation several times for IVF egg collection. It was great, like a very light sleep but I didn't feel or remember anything. Felt fine straight afterwards.

jayho · 10/10/2023 18:06

It's great, particularly if you're anxious - I am terrified of the dentist and needed an extraction. Didn't feel a thing, felt completely relaxed and had minimal swelling and pain. It took seconds to extract the tooth. I'd highly recommend it.

marketing101 · 10/10/2023 18:13

I think it's really nice being sedated 😂 just like a heavy pull towards sleep but not fully asleep. You won't do anything weird they do this every day

Original poster

GoldenOldies · 11/10/2023 14:38

Update: 5 hours post op.

I did the sedation and it was fine. I remember bits and pieces, but I must have fallen asleep as what I thought was 15 mins was an hour. There was no pain throughout it all, but good God does it hurt now. I’m on two lots of strong painkillers and they only take the edge off. I have antibiotics too.

I’ve had a nap and some soup, which was good. But wow this pain is probably one of the worst things I’ve experienced. At least it’s just a one off thing I suppose.

The only thing I felt during the procedure was dizziness from the sedation (watching the ceiling tiles wriggle and change shapes was weird), and I felt them breaking the teeth to make removal easier, but it wasn’t painful. It was more like feeling someone break a pavlova, so there’s that.

Thanks to everyone who reassured me and wished me luck! 🍀

OP posts:

IHeartGeneHunt · 12/10/2023 18:18

Glad it went ok! How's it feeling now?

Original poster

GoldenOldies · 12/10/2023 18:45

IHeartGeneHunt · 12/10/2023 18:18

Glad it went ok! How's it feeling now?

Not too bad. I was quite sore this morning, but I’ve been able to go without painkillers for a few hours. Massive headache but that’s related to neck tension, rather than the actual surgery. My face is also not as swollen as I thought it would be, there’s just one lump on the left side.

I miss food 😂😂

Thanks for asking!

OP posts:

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