I posted a few weeks ago asking for advice on whether to be put to sleep during my wisdom teeth extraction. I'm 45, have never even had a filling, and was unsure what to expect. The oral surgeon assured me it would be fast and easy (just the 2 uppers) but since I had the option, I decided to go for the general anesthesia.

I became QUITE nervous as soon as I got into the room. Nervous to the point of heart palpitations and hyperventilation. But I figured I'd be getting that shot any second, and I'd be out like a light. The surgeon came in and told me I wouldn't really be asleep but I'd be so out of it I wouldn't feel anything or really be aware of anything. That was OK--my mom had had that kind of anesthesia for cataract surgery, and she described it as very pleasant.

But the shot came and nothing happened. I did feel drugged, but I was awake and aware and alert to EVERYthing that happened. I heard, saw, and felt everything, tho the pain was slightly muted. I felt the shot and both teeth being pulled, tho the pain wasn't really that bad. What WAS bad was the horrible anxiety and panic that continued throughout. Even when I got back to the recovery room, I was having trouble breathing and felt very anxious. I told everything to my mom in case I forgot it later, but I didn't forget--everything is still as clear as a bell.

I even had a kind of panic attack later that evening, despite 2 doses of Vicodin (which did help the pain).

So...I guess this is part rant and part question: anyone else have this experience? I still feel traumatized! I didn't say anything at the time because I was so upset, but I definitely plan to call the surgeon's office and let them know AND find out for sure what type of anesthesia it was so I don't get it again. And, for the record, I DID follow all the directions I was given: no food or water 6 hours before the procedure.

Ugh. Thanks for listening.

Hi coffeecake,
I had the same thing happen to me, but it was during a endoscopy procedure. The nurse started an I.V. and they said that I would be very sedated and not know what was going on, but I was fully awake during the entire procedure and I choked and gagged all threw it, it was awful! I never want to get that procedure done ever again! Whenever I have teeth pulled, I always end up getting all the way knocked out, because no matter how much novacaine that they give me I can still feel the pain (not just pressure). :-(
So I understand what you went thru!
Now I'm going threw a toothache, after having a root canal done to the tooth 2 weeks ago, (darn dentist) :-(
So now I have to go see a endodontists!
And you being 45 and NEVER having a filling?? Wow that's pretty amazing! I'm 35 and almost every single one of my teeth has a filling on it, and I have had a bridge and 2 crowns and lots of root canals and teeth pulled, so you can say that I have just about everything done to me in Dentistry! haha
Kim

why did you have to have your wisdom teeth out? When did you get them?

Hi coffeecake,
I had the same thing happen to me, but it was during a endoscopy procedure. The nurse started an I.V. and they said that I would be very sedated and not know what was going on, but I was fully awake during the entire procedure and I choked and gagged

Kim! That sounds even worse than my experience. How awful. Did you say anything to the doctor? Were they aware that you were having a problem? Hope you have better luck in the future.

why did you have to have your wisdom teeth out? When did you get them?

Because I had only the uppers, they were hanging down and jamming into my lower jaw as well as pushing my upper teeth together and causing some discomfort. I haven't had them very long--less than 10 years?

Hi Coffeecake,
Yeah I was gagging and choking and they knew that I was very, very uncomfortable, that my eyes were even watering.
The doctor who was doing the endoscopy said to the nurses, "Oh well it's too late now to sedate her again" and then she just kept on doing the procedure UGH!!!
I have nothing but bad luck with dentist and doctors.
3 years ago I got nerve damage pain from having my gallbladder taken out (darn surgeon) so I had severe chronic pain for 2 years straight, and I was on pain med's, which made me so sick and plus it only took some of the pain away, not all. Thank God that the nerve pain has FINALLY all healed. But man did I go threw horrible withdrawal for about 3 months from stopping the pain med's.
That's a whole other story!haha
Kim