A couple of shots so I can have the shots.
April 2, 2006 2:30 PM Subscribe
Is it wrong that I use alcohol to get through medical and dental appointments?
I have always had fear issues when seeing any kind of doctor or dentist; needles, blood draws, most eye exams, and so on often made me pass out.
A few years ago I realized that a little alcohol relaxed me enough to get through necessary exams (for example, the yearly pap smear, or any injection). I fill a travel tumbler with juice and one or two shots of vodka. I begin sipping it when I'm almost at the medical office, then finish it while I sit in the parking lot. By the time I'm done, and it's time for me to go in, I feel much more relaxed and am able to get through most appointments without the nausea and fainting that I used to experience. The effect wears off in time for me to feel safe driving home.
This technique has helped me to take control of my medical and dental needs, and after many years of simply avoiding any kind of appointments, I am now doing the "adult" thing and scheduling regular exams, etc. But I wonder whether this is going to cause me problems in the long run. I wonder sometimes if, for example, the dentist can smell vodka on my breath. Ultimately I decide that it doesn't matter, since after all, I'm there.
I would not consider myself an alcoholic, by the way; I do have a glass of wine in the evenings, 2 to 4 days a week, and may have a cocktail with dinner on a Saturday night, but I never get drunk.
I guess the real question is: is this a common way to get through fear-inducing situations? Is it an unhealthy reliance on booze?
I have always had fear issues when seeing any kind of doctor or dentist; needles, blood draws, most eye exams, and so on often made me pass out.
A few years ago I realized that a little alcohol relaxed me enough to get through necessary exams (for example, the yearly pap smear, or any injection). I fill a travel tumbler with juice and one or two shots of vodka. I begin sipping it when I'm almost at the medical office, then finish it while I sit in the parking lot. By the time I'm done, and it's time for me to go in, I feel much more relaxed and am able to get through most appointments without the nausea and fainting that I used to experience. The effect wears off in time for me to feel safe driving home.
This technique has helped me to take control of my medical and dental needs, and after many years of simply avoiding any kind of appointments, I am now doing the "adult" thing and scheduling regular exams, etc. But I wonder whether this is going to cause me problems in the long run. I wonder sometimes if, for example, the dentist can smell vodka on my breath. Ultimately I decide that it doesn't matter, since after all, I'm there.
I would not consider myself an alcoholic, by the way; I do have a glass of wine in the evenings, 2 to 4 days a week, and may have a cocktail with dinner on a Saturday night, but I never get drunk.
I guess the real question is: is this a common way to get through fear-inducing situations? Is it an unhealthy reliance on booze?
I do think it's unhealthy, but it's not like you're getting completely wasted in order to get through these things, so it's not as bad as it could be. My suggestion would be to tell your doctors/dentists about this and see what they say and ask them if they can give you something other than alcohol (local anesthetic, etc.) to help you through these things.
I've known lots of people who were wildly needle-phobic and avoided dentists and doctors altogether, with the result that they got sick a lot and had really bad teeth. But I've known other people who were the same way but worked with their health-care professionals to get the checkups and blood draws they needed. If you're seeing doctors and dentists who scoff at your fears and tell you it's "all in your head" and refuse to do anything or give you anything to help ease you through these procedures, you should find new doctors and dentists who will; they're out there.
posted by Gator at 2:39 PM on April 2, 2006
I've known lots of people who were wildly needle-phobic and avoided dentists and doctors altogether, with the result that they got sick a lot and had really bad teeth. But I've known other people who were the same way but worked with their health-care professionals to get the checkups and blood draws they needed. If you're seeing doctors and dentists who scoff at your fears and tell you it's "all in your head" and refuse to do anything or give you anything to help ease you through these procedures, you should find new doctors and dentists who will; they're out there.
posted by Gator at 2:39 PM on April 2, 2006
As long as you tell your doctor / dentist, just in case it might be relevant to any measurements he might be taking, then that's fine. If he tells you to stop then he can also tell you about some safter alternative or therapy.
posted by Space Coyote at 2:39 PM on April 2, 2006
posted by Space Coyote at 2:39 PM on April 2, 2006
I'd be more concerned about the driving than anything- you may feel sober but that's probably just the adrenaline talking. I don't think you're developing a reliance on booze unless you go to the doctor weekly or start drinking to get through the mornings.
My dentist is pretty liberal with the Valium prescriptions which is essentially the same thing. I had a root canal on Valium and I slept through it and I'll never do another one without it. Of course he knows people are on it, so he's aware of the potential side effects and he makes them get a ride home or take a cab.
posted by fshgrl at 2:42 PM on April 2, 2006
My dentist is pretty liberal with the Valium prescriptions which is essentially the same thing. I had a root canal on Valium and I slept through it and I'll never do another one without it. Of course he knows people are on it, so he's aware of the potential side effects and he makes them get a ride home or take a cab.
posted by fshgrl at 2:42 PM on April 2, 2006
You might as well just bring this up with your doctor. She might prescribe you something that'd have a similar effect and fewer side-effects.
This kind of situational anxiety is not that uncommon, by the way. No doctor or dentist is going to be unfamiliar with it or surprised by it.
posted by ikkyu2 at 2:45 PM on April 2, 2006
This kind of situational anxiety is not that uncommon, by the way. No doctor or dentist is going to be unfamiliar with it or surprised by it.
posted by ikkyu2 at 2:45 PM on April 2, 2006
My best friend gets a prescription for one Valium every time she has to go to the dentist. There's no way she could handle it otherwise-she goes into absolute hysterics. There are still tears, but the Valium and an understanding dentist and hygienist help tons. I don't see the difference between a Valium and a drink in this situation. Just be careful about getting a DUI after the appt. if you're driving yourself, especially if you're small. If it's enough alcohol to cause a noticeable change in your head, it might enough to register on a breathalyzer even a couple of hours later. You can never be too safe about these things.
posted by cilantro at 2:45 PM on April 2, 2006
posted by cilantro at 2:45 PM on April 2, 2006
Ok. Confession time. I prefer to take a tablet to relax me before a biopsy. Is it normal that I cannot "handle" a potentially painful experience? When I go to the dentist, I sweat and tense my body so much that I feel tired afterwards. Is it more humane to take a drink/sedative? I think it is. Why - because I have tried my best to overcome my fears i other ways, and cannot overcome my natural bodily fears when going through such procedures.
I can go into philosophy etc ... but that will not help you or I. I would suggest to find a good doctor and ask him for medication. Use it responsibly, that is what I do.
posted by bright77blue at 2:46 PM on April 2, 2006
I can go into philosophy etc ... but that will not help you or I. I would suggest to find a good doctor and ask him for medication. Use it responsibly, that is what I do.
posted by bright77blue at 2:46 PM on April 2, 2006
You might want to let the doctor and dentist know if there's anything either going into or coming out of your body (shots, drugs, blood tests) to ensure you're not buggering the results (or putting yourself in harms way).
I know I was told not to drink for a week when I got my travel immunizations two summers ago, although I can't remember for which one that related (I was getting about 7, as I remember).
I would imagine it might effect tests relating to blood sugar or triglycerides as well, depending on what you're drinking. My doctor pretty much always tells me not to eat or drink (anything but water) for 12-18 hours before the appointment if she is planning on taking blood or urine.
Also, if you want to get over needes at the doctor's office, go to give blood once or twice. That needle is like a knitting needle compared to the ones they use to take samples. :)
posted by tiamat at 2:52 PM on April 2, 2006
I know I was told not to drink for a week when I got my travel immunizations two summers ago, although I can't remember for which one that related (I was getting about 7, as I remember).
I would imagine it might effect tests relating to blood sugar or triglycerides as well, depending on what you're drinking. My doctor pretty much always tells me not to eat or drink (anything but water) for 12-18 hours before the appointment if she is planning on taking blood or urine.
Also, if you want to get over needes at the doctor's office, go to give blood once or twice. That needle is like a knitting needle compared to the ones they use to take samples. :)
posted by tiamat at 2:52 PM on April 2, 2006
Alcohol will definitely interfere with a variety of blood tests.
Also, it will inhibit clotting (for example, the same reason of no alcohol before getting a tattoo applies to no alcohol before getting you teeth/mouth worked on).
posted by PurplePorpoise at 2:54 PM on April 2, 2006
Also, it will inhibit clotting (for example, the same reason of no alcohol before getting a tattoo applies to no alcohol before getting you teeth/mouth worked on).
posted by PurplePorpoise at 2:54 PM on April 2, 2006
Alternately, have you tried smoking very strong tobacco/a very small amount of marijuana before? It seems like that might be better in terms of side effects.
posted by devilsbrigade at 3:18 PM on April 2, 2006
posted by devilsbrigade at 3:18 PM on April 2, 2006
I don't think it's wrong. I agree with previous posts that telling your doctor/dentist is probably a good idea. It sounds to me like you are worried about being perceived as an alcoholic, and talking to your doctor might help with that.
posted by betterton at 3:27 PM on April 2, 2006
posted by betterton at 3:27 PM on April 2, 2006
I posit that, while smoking a bit of marijuana may be more effective, the possible hassles of such an approach may far outweigh the benefits. As everyone has said, talking to your doctor/dentist is the best way to go here.
posted by 235w103 at 3:33 PM on April 2, 2006
posted by 235w103 at 3:33 PM on April 2, 2006
Self-medication is a fine tradition.
If it turned into an every day, or even an every week thing, I would start worrying about it.
As for alcohol being a common way to deal with stressful situations: there's a reason that airports have plenty of bars.
posted by tkolar at 3:58 PM on April 2, 2006
If it turned into an every day, or even an every week thing, I would start worrying about it.
As for alcohol being a common way to deal with stressful situations: there's a reason that airports have plenty of bars.
posted by tkolar at 3:58 PM on April 2, 2006
I don't think there is anything wrong with what you're doing. People use alcohol to get through lots of fear-inducing experiences. For instance, my mom brings one of those tiny bottles of liquor on all of our airline flights. My friend has a shot before she goes on any date. However, since you're using alcohol before medical and dental appointments, you may want to let your physician or doctor know so that the consumption of alcohol doesn't affect any test or physical exam results.
posted by MeetMegan at 4:09 PM on April 2, 2006
posted by MeetMegan at 4:09 PM on April 2, 2006
I would not tell the doctor and risk being labeled as an alcoholic and any implications it might bring down the line. Tell him you are get extremely phobic and would like some valium or xanax.
posted by geoff. at 4:10 PM on April 2, 2006
posted by geoff. at 4:10 PM on April 2, 2006
Since no one has yet answered part of your question, I will. I guarantee that your doctor and dentist have noticed the smell on your breath. I'm surprised they haven't said anything.
I once worked with a woman who later admitted to me that she drank one or two shots of vodka every morning before work - she put it in her coffee. She was completely shocked when I told her that I could smell it.
posted by peep at 4:12 PM on April 2, 2006
I once worked with a woman who later admitted to me that she drank one or two shots of vodka every morning before work - she put it in her coffee. She was completely shocked when I told her that I could smell it.
posted by peep at 4:12 PM on April 2, 2006
I think Dutch courage is as old as alcohol. Doctors are used to this sort of thing; my mother is a nurse and she told me she frequently has to sit and chat with people for a few minutes before she can get anything close to a normal blood pressure reading.
posted by MadamM at 4:31 PM on April 2, 2006
posted by MadamM at 4:31 PM on April 2, 2006
I have pretty much the same problem as you, although not as severe, by the sound of it.
I pretty much took care of it by bringing an MP3 player along. A favorite song, played loud enough, always helps me avoid focusing on anything else. I actually feel less pain while at the dentist when I do this.
I mean, it is all in the mind.
posted by Zero Gravitas at 4:40 PM on April 2, 2006
I pretty much took care of it by bringing an MP3 player along. A favorite song, played loud enough, always helps me avoid focusing on anything else. I actually feel less pain while at the dentist when I do this.
I mean, it is all in the mind.
posted by Zero Gravitas at 4:40 PM on April 2, 2006
You are taking a serious chance of screwing up the results of various tests, including your blood pressure, and those tests are only being given to help you. Also, you might be given medication that will be toxic or dangerous in combination with alcohol, and as PurplePorpoise mentioned, it could thin your blood and interfere with your ability to heal.
You say that you're ready to pass out before (or during?) eye exams. I have had a great many eye exams, and I've had pleasant daydreams more disturbing than the worst of them. No offense, but it sounds like you have a very serious neurosis or phobia of some sort. That's not 'wrong,' in a moral sense, but it is something that you should have treated.
You know that little form that you fill out before an appointment, which asks you 'Are you currently on any medication?' Well, if you aren't writing 'I just had some vodka,' in that space, then you're lying, and you're only hurting yourself. If you were on something prescribed, e.g. xanax, prozac, whatever, then you could just write that in the blank, and your concience would be clear.
posted by bingo at 5:02 PM on April 2, 2006
You say that you're ready to pass out before (or during?) eye exams. I have had a great many eye exams, and I've had pleasant daydreams more disturbing than the worst of them. No offense, but it sounds like you have a very serious neurosis or phobia of some sort. That's not 'wrong,' in a moral sense, but it is something that you should have treated.
You know that little form that you fill out before an appointment, which asks you 'Are you currently on any medication?' Well, if you aren't writing 'I just had some vodka,' in that space, then you're lying, and you're only hurting yourself. If you were on something prescribed, e.g. xanax, prozac, whatever, then you could just write that in the blank, and your concience would be clear.
posted by bingo at 5:02 PM on April 2, 2006
There's some wrong-headed advice going on here.
I'm a doctor, and I'm going to repeat myself.
a) You're not going to get labeled or stigmatized for this. Your problem is common and doctors are quite accustomed to dealing with it.
b) We're glad to help out with this kind of problem. There are band-aids for situational anxiety - I take Xanax myself when flying on airplanes - they are completely innocuous when used as directed.
c) There's the off chance that a dentist might inject you with something that interacts with alcohol, during his anesthesia. So it's probably a good idea to get it out in the open so you don't risk a nasty drug interaction.
d) Getting it out in the open will also help you feel more comfortable in general about talking to your doctor about what's disturbing you. We're like bartenders - we've heard it all - and we're here to help, as best we can. Honest. But we're not mind-readers, we need your help with this.
Hope this helps you feel better about what's going on.
posted by ikkyu2 at 5:07 PM on April 2, 2006
I'm a doctor, and I'm going to repeat myself.
a) You're not going to get labeled or stigmatized for this. Your problem is common and doctors are quite accustomed to dealing with it.
b) We're glad to help out with this kind of problem. There are band-aids for situational anxiety - I take Xanax myself when flying on airplanes - they are completely innocuous when used as directed.
c) There's the off chance that a dentist might inject you with something that interacts with alcohol, during his anesthesia. So it's probably a good idea to get it out in the open so you don't risk a nasty drug interaction.
d) Getting it out in the open will also help you feel more comfortable in general about talking to your doctor about what's disturbing you. We're like bartenders - we've heard it all - and we're here to help, as best we can. Honest. But we're not mind-readers, we need your help with this.
Hope this helps you feel better about what's going on.
posted by ikkyu2 at 5:07 PM on April 2, 2006
I'm not a doctor (though I'm right below one in the thread, which must count for something), but I don't see that this is a problem as long as:
posted by Hildago at 5:27 PM on April 2, 2006
- You are very sure you're not driving while intoxicated
- You don't make a practice of relying on alcohol to get you through stressful situations, which to me sounds like the real dangerous thing in this situation.
- You don't do something dumb, like drinking before a procedure when you've been warned against it. This is obvious and I only mention it to be as pedantic as possible.
posted by Hildago at 5:27 PM on April 2, 2006
Listen to Ikkyu2 and not Bingo. Bingo is seriously confusing his own experiences and judgements with facts and help. It probably is best to tell the truth and get some targetd pharmaceutical support for this situational anxiety. IANAD but I do run a large mental health facility and the information you provide in no way indicates "you have a very serious neurosis or phobia of some sort". BIngo's assertion is ceretainly unfounded on the basis of your post and is most likely unfounded in reality Good Luck
posted by rmhsinc at 5:47 PM on April 2, 2006
posted by rmhsinc at 5:47 PM on April 2, 2006
I don't think it's wrong at all to have a drink to help you get through a stressful experience. I do, however, think it's extremely wrong to drink and drive.
Take the bus next time.
posted by Decani at 6:16 PM on April 2, 2006
Take the bus next time.
posted by Decani at 6:16 PM on April 2, 2006
Physicians spend a lot of time smelling booze on patients. Fresh and stale and everything in between. I'd be surprised if your doctor didn't suspect it, so you may be doing yourself a major disservice as far as that goes. Everything Ikkyu2 said holds in spades. If I smelled it on you (and believe me, it's a fucking cakewalk once you get close enough to examine someone) and asked, and you denied it, you can bet your chart would indicate you were a potential alcoholic until I could establish otherwise. And from there every visit would be potentially compounded by that suspicion.
On the other hand, being forthright and honest would lead very quickly to several reasonable suggestions. The most utilitarian and practical being a small supply of xanax or klonopin.
posted by docpops at 6:22 PM on April 2, 2006
On the other hand, being forthright and honest would lead very quickly to several reasonable suggestions. The most utilitarian and practical being a small supply of xanax or klonopin.
posted by docpops at 6:22 PM on April 2, 2006
Dentists in most states are allowed to prescribe xanax and klonopin for this very reason. It's an incredibly common problem you've got. No worries there.
Drugs like xanax and klonopin pretty precisely target the anxiety without messing up anything else. Alcohol is a big sledgehammer of a drug. In addition to lowering your anxiety it dilates your peripheral blood vessels, which seems like it could be a potentially bad thing, depending on what procedure was being done; it might mess up blood test results; etc., etc.
Alcohol is old-school. Get a benzodiazepine.
posted by selfmedicating at 6:32 PM on April 2, 2006
Drugs like xanax and klonopin pretty precisely target the anxiety without messing up anything else. Alcohol is a big sledgehammer of a drug. In addition to lowering your anxiety it dilates your peripheral blood vessels, which seems like it could be a potentially bad thing, depending on what procedure was being done; it might mess up blood test results; etc., etc.
Alcohol is old-school. Get a benzodiazepine.
posted by selfmedicating at 6:32 PM on April 2, 2006
Bingo is seriously confusing his own experiences and judgements with facts and help. It probably is best to tell the truth and get some targetd pharmaceutical support for this situational anxiety.
Huh. For all your enthusiasm in putting down my answer, it sounds a lot like you're repeating something that I said myself.
IANAD but I do run a large mental health facility and the information you provide in no way indicates "you have a very serious neurosis or phobia of some sort". BIngo's assertion is ceretainly unfounded on the basis of your post and is most likely unfounded in reality
Hey. The poster passes out during most eye exams. That is very unusual and extremely irrational. Have you ever had an eye exam?
posted by bingo at 7:43 PM on April 2, 2006
Huh. For all your enthusiasm in putting down my answer, it sounds a lot like you're repeating something that I said myself.
IANAD but I do run a large mental health facility and the information you provide in no way indicates "you have a very serious neurosis or phobia of some sort". BIngo's assertion is ceretainly unfounded on the basis of your post and is most likely unfounded in reality
Hey. The poster passes out during most eye exams. That is very unusual and extremely irrational. Have you ever had an eye exam?
posted by bingo at 7:43 PM on April 2, 2006
Relying on alcohol to cure anxiety is a recipe for disaster.
posted by ryanhealy at 9:24 PM on April 2, 2006
posted by ryanhealy at 9:24 PM on April 2, 2006
To answer your questions: Yes, medication is a recognized way to get through high-anxiety situations. Yes, this might be an unhealthy reliance on booze because you are using alcohol as an anti-anxiety medication and not informing medical practioners. Get a real prescription or at least an OK from a doctor in the future before appointments because there are drug interactions and side effects from alcohol that they need to be aware of.
posted by mikeh at 7:29 AM on April 3, 2006
posted by mikeh at 7:29 AM on April 3, 2006
Bingo--you are right, there is little incompatability in our answers. I was reacting to your use of the words "serious, neurosis, and phobia". Her reaction is a bit extreme but based on only this post I can tell you this does not constitute a serious anxiety disorder (new words for neurosis). I would have described her as anxious about medical appointments. The important thing is that she goes to her appointments and is finding better ways to cope.
posted by rmhsinc at 10:03 AM on April 3, 2006
posted by rmhsinc at 10:03 AM on April 3, 2006
Okay, well...'anxious about medical appointments' describes a lot of people who don't black out or feel the need to drink to get them through the situation. I think that you're being kind so as not to exacerbate his/her anxiety, and that's nice of you. But the poster is irrationally and consistently afraid of a benign situation, and that's what a phobia is (wikipedia definition).
Naturally, the fact that I think it's a phobia and you don't doesn't mean anything in terms of what the poster should be doing. The poster should be going to a psychologist or a psychiatrist, and they should be the ones making the diagnosis, which is something that I think we both agree on.
posted by bingo at 12:37 PM on April 3, 2006
Naturally, the fact that I think it's a phobia and you don't doesn't mean anything in terms of what the poster should be doing. The poster should be going to a psychologist or a psychiatrist, and they should be the ones making the diagnosis, which is something that I think we both agree on.
posted by bingo at 12:37 PM on April 3, 2006
Bingo--OK--I would be more than glad to discuss this further--if you have any interest email me
posted by rmhsinc at 2:10 PM on April 3, 2006
posted by rmhsinc at 2:10 PM on April 3, 2006
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by ChasFile at 2:37 PM on April 2, 2006