Dentist? - Panic Disorders Message Board

mommyof5 · 01-23-2003, 08:27 AM

I really need to go see the dentist but am so scared of having a panic attack in the chair, the fear of not being able to escape if I need to! They are considerate to people with this problem, they once prescribed me 2mg of ativan to take an hour before my appointment but I was so anxious about the appointment that I never bothered taking it and chickened out! That was 3 years ago! I started taking zoloft on Jan.7th and i'm now up to 50mg with 3/4 pill of clonazepam (0.5mg tablet) and 1/2 pill in the evening but I don't feel that I would be able to handle going to the dentist without freaking out! My anxiety level is still pretty high. Does anybody feel this way? How do you handle it? Any suggestions please!!!!!!! I'm not afraid of the dentist or the work that has to be done or the needle or any of that stuff just the anxiety and panic and being stuck in that chair without the chance to escape! Please help!!
mommyof5

msrivers · 01-23-2003, 11:11 AM

I really don't have a great answer for you. I don't even leave the house unless I HAVE to. I would say continue taking the meds until you feel as though you can handle it. Or maybe ask the doc if you could just do a "test run" to see how you handle it. Try to pick a relatively stress free day. ( Ha, yeah, I know how stupid that sounds) Just know you aren't the only one out there that has to deal with it, sometimes just that knowledge helps.

bride527 · 01-23-2003, 09:10 PM

I recently had some dental work done. I had two crowns put on my teeth in the last two months. I am not afraid of the dentist at all. But because I do experience anxiety certain times of the month, I decided to take a low dose of XANAX before I went to the dentist. I don't want to get "panicky" while sitting in the chair for an hour. I take the pill 30 min. before my appt. and i am totally fine. Good luck....bride527

pinkcat · 01-24-2003, 01:47 AM

i haven't had a panic attack in a few years but i do know how horrible they make you feel. think of it this way: you are not being strapped down to the dentist chair and you can get up and walk out any time you feel like it. you are lucky your dental office is so understanding regarding anxiety. a lot of doctors and dentists are very nasty to phobic patients. even if you just get up and get away from the chair for 10 or 15 minutes you can sit back down when you're ready to continue with the treatment. as long as your dentist is aware of your condition you should be able to get through the appts. good luck to you.

chrissiek · 02-15-2003, 08:06 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bride527:
I recently had some dental work done. I had two crowns put on my teeth in the last two months. I am not afraid of the dentist at all. But because I do experience anxiety certain times of the month, I decided to take a low dose of XANAX before I went to the dentist. I don't want to get "panicky" while sitting in the chair for an hour. I take the pill 30 min. before my appt. and i am totally fine. Good luck....bride527

I do that too. I'm completely afraid of the dentist.

However I have an understanding one and he knows I'm on valium and Paxil so If I have a problem they work through it with me.

I've cried at the dentist before so this isn't anything new.