How do I make a bad experience not be a big problem?
January 30, 2015 6:23 PM Subscribe
If you skim my question history, you'll notice that I have anxiety about medications that might make me feel high, extra-alert, whatever. Today at the dentist I got a few nice big shots of epinephrine as an additional painkiller and they fucked me up--sobbing panic attack for a couple hours, not fun. I'm feeling mostly okay now, but really don't want to have this bad experience turn into another point of anxiety for me. What can I do to make this just a crappy morning instead of a Big Deal that gets added to my (brief but potent) list of triggers?
I like and trust my dentist and want that to continue! My anxiety is really focused around two or three specific triggers, and feeling out of control mentally due to drugs is a big one; basically, being injected with epinephrine is second only to being dosed with a hallucinogen on my panic-alert-freakout list. My dentist also doesn't seem to totally get my medication anxiety, so didn't think to tell me beforehand that these shots were different than the local anesthetic I was already using. I avoided going to the dentist for many years because of this medication anxiety, and I'm feeling freaked out that this freakout will cause problems.
I had a panic attack in-office and at home, but was able to talk to the staff, find my way home, deep breathe, etc. I am feeling mostly okay after crying for a few hours, taking a nap, getting some food, talking with friends, etc., but am still a little weepy and am starting to feel some memories of the experience sort of resurface in ways that feel reminiscent of traumatic recovery: the feeling of the needle deep in my gums is a big one that keeps coming back to me. I still need to get my wisdom teeth out and have a lifetime of dental visits before me: I don't want this bad experience to add dental anxiety to my list o' anxieties.
I have a standing Monday appointment with my therapist, and got a referral for EMDR this week as well. Can I do anything else to minimize the negative long-term effects of this shitty morning? I accept that maybe I'm just wired on my own adrenaline and this won't be a problem...
I like and trust my dentist and want that to continue! My anxiety is really focused around two or three specific triggers, and feeling out of control mentally due to drugs is a big one; basically, being injected with epinephrine is second only to being dosed with a hallucinogen on my panic-alert-freakout list. My dentist also doesn't seem to totally get my medication anxiety, so didn't think to tell me beforehand that these shots were different than the local anesthetic I was already using. I avoided going to the dentist for many years because of this medication anxiety, and I'm feeling freaked out that this freakout will cause problems.
I had a panic attack in-office and at home, but was able to talk to the staff, find my way home, deep breathe, etc. I am feeling mostly okay after crying for a few hours, taking a nap, getting some food, talking with friends, etc., but am still a little weepy and am starting to feel some memories of the experience sort of resurface in ways that feel reminiscent of traumatic recovery: the feeling of the needle deep in my gums is a big one that keeps coming back to me. I still need to get my wisdom teeth out and have a lifetime of dental visits before me: I don't want this bad experience to add dental anxiety to my list o' anxieties.
I have a standing Monday appointment with my therapist, and got a referral for EMDR this week as well. Can I do anything else to minimize the negative long-term effects of this shitty morning? I accept that maybe I'm just wired on my own adrenaline and this won't be a problem...
You most likely had lidocaine with epinephrine rather than just epinephrine. Epinephrine alone is not typically used as a local anesthetic. Lidocaine with epinephrine is used because the epinephrine helps reduce bleeding, which is helpful.
Could you maybe spend some time considering what it was about this that scared you so much, i.e. what you feared would happen if you were injected with epinephrine? Local lidocaine mixed with epi is not meant to enter your blood stream in any significant amount, just to be in the local tissues where a procedure is being done. It's certainly far from, say, Pulp Fiction epinephrine to the heart (which was a major dramatization, that is almost never done in medical practice). But many people do inject themselves with epinephrine regularly for allergic reactions, and it is considered safe enough that we let people go home with auto injectors to do it on their own.
Bottom line, you can get local anesthetic in the future that isn't mixed with epinephrine to avoid this problem, so I also hope that you won't let it keep you from seeking dental care. Prevention and good routine dental care is the best way to keep from needing to have procedures done at all.
posted by treehorn+bunny at 6:38 PM on January 30, 2015 [7 favorites]
Could you maybe spend some time considering what it was about this that scared you so much, i.e. what you feared would happen if you were injected with epinephrine? Local lidocaine mixed with epi is not meant to enter your blood stream in any significant amount, just to be in the local tissues where a procedure is being done. It's certainly far from, say, Pulp Fiction epinephrine to the heart (which was a major dramatization, that is almost never done in medical practice). But many people do inject themselves with epinephrine regularly for allergic reactions, and it is considered safe enough that we let people go home with auto injectors to do it on their own.
Bottom line, you can get local anesthetic in the future that isn't mixed with epinephrine to avoid this problem, so I also hope that you won't let it keep you from seeking dental care. Prevention and good routine dental care is the best way to keep from needing to have procedures done at all.
posted by treehorn+bunny at 6:38 PM on January 30, 2015 [7 favorites]
I know someone who was so terrified of dentistry that she got gangrene before she asked for help. The whole problem with shots not working was that the nerves in her face were not where they were on most people. They did some kind of scan, found the nerves, and suddenly she didn't need massive doses anymore.
posted by Mr. Yuck at 6:53 PM on January 30, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by Mr. Yuck at 6:53 PM on January 30, 2015 [2 favorites]
I think this is a common reaction to certain anesthesia used for extractions or prolonged procedures. When my daughter had her wisdom teeth out, they warned me that she would be very weepy the rest of the day and indeed she was. It is kind of a meme if you watch post wisdom tooth removal videos. Ir's a natural reaction to those chemicals in the body. Maybe sort of plan on it the next time you go to the dentist and just go home after so you can relax and just let it work itself out. Being in public probably made it a lot worse than if you had been at home.
posted by tamitang at 8:16 PM on January 30, 2015
posted by tamitang at 8:16 PM on January 30, 2015
I have a simar problem with the epi-novocaine. My solution was to tell them not to use it.
posted by misanthropicsarah at 8:19 PM on January 30, 2015
posted by misanthropicsarah at 8:19 PM on January 30, 2015
Response by poster: Ohhh yes, I terrified them into a very large note in my chart to never do that to me again.
posted by c'mon sea legs at 8:22 PM on January 30, 2015
posted by c'mon sea legs at 8:22 PM on January 30, 2015
What would make this day awesome? Do that.
For eg., I once had this encounter with an asshole in NYC (shocker) that pushed all my buttons. I said to myself I can go back to my rental and curl up, but dammit that guy does not get to write my story. I'm writing my story. So I stayed out on the town, found a late night shoe store and bought an awesome pair of boots for like $80. I ended the night feeling great.
ymmv but find the thing that would make today awesome and powerfully do just that. Today is your day. You didn't write how it started but you can definitely write how it ends. Take charge of the narrative (something happened to me and I'm coping with it --> I'm choosing my day) and you'll feel better.
Btw you already did great. You really did. My suggestion is just trying to add the cherry on top :)
posted by St. Peepsburg at 8:28 PM on January 30, 2015 [2 favorites]
For eg., I once had this encounter with an asshole in NYC (shocker) that pushed all my buttons. I said to myself I can go back to my rental and curl up, but dammit that guy does not get to write my story. I'm writing my story. So I stayed out on the town, found a late night shoe store and bought an awesome pair of boots for like $80. I ended the night feeling great.
ymmv but find the thing that would make today awesome and powerfully do just that. Today is your day. You didn't write how it started but you can definitely write how it ends. Take charge of the narrative (something happened to me and I'm coping with it --> I'm choosing my day) and you'll feel better.
Btw you already did great. You really did. My suggestion is just trying to add the cherry on top :)
posted by St. Peepsburg at 8:28 PM on January 30, 2015 [2 favorites]
I had that happen once as well! I thought I was going to have a heart attack. I told my mom and she said that she has the same reaction to it. I'm also really sensitive to all medication. Many years ago, before oral surgery, I was given a valium, which made me cry uncontrollably through the entire surgery. For future visits, explain, every time, to the nurse and the doctor that you have A-typical reactions to medication and you are requesting the smallest dose of only the most necessary medication.
As far as making today better, know that you went through something awful and you were strong enough to survive it. You can handle more than you think you can. Take a moment to feel thankful that your body and mind are strong enough to recover from a drug reaction and treat your body to a healthy treat that is usually outside of your regular budget. Tomorrow is a new day that you have already proven that you are strong enough to face.
posted by myselfasme at 11:37 PM on January 30, 2015
As far as making today better, know that you went through something awful and you were strong enough to survive it. You can handle more than you think you can. Take a moment to feel thankful that your body and mind are strong enough to recover from a drug reaction and treat your body to a healthy treat that is usually outside of your regular budget. Tomorrow is a new day that you have already proven that you are strong enough to face.
posted by myselfasme at 11:37 PM on January 30, 2015
Can you play Tetris or another spatially intensive game for a while? I recently read that it is useful for lessening the likelihood of PTSD.
posted by Rube R. Nekker at 1:38 AM on January 31, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by Rube R. Nekker at 1:38 AM on January 31, 2015 [1 favorite]
Read up on hypnosis in dentistry. From what I understand there are evidence-based techniques that can greatly improve the experience for patients with anxiety, phobia or pain issues. Procedures performed in a state of deep hypnosis typically require less medication. Since in your case certain meds are contraindicated maybe it would help to find a dentist who offers hypnotherapy. Good luck!
posted by travelwithcats at 2:37 PM on February 9, 2015
posted by travelwithcats at 2:37 PM on February 9, 2015
This thread is closed to new comments.
So, instead of looking on this as "that traumatic event," maybe you can look at it as "that time I survived a traumatic event & did a good job taking care of myself."
posted by insectosaurus at 6:34 PM on January 30, 2015 [11 favorites]