Fear of flying?

[MarcoAviator]

I have a different one for you ...

fear of anestesia.

Fear of going to sleep, wether you want it or not, and wake up (or not :cry: !!!) with stitches in your mouth and blinding pain crawling up your brain.

My wisdom teeth are on the move. The upper ones are fine and I won't touch them (they are already out and straight) but the lower ones are coming out horizontally towards the molars in front and 2 weeks ago they started to move in earnest.

The pain is abominable. One little tooth can make a big guy cry and i am crying right now.

I have an appointment on Monday for a consultation (and probably x-rays).

After that I will have to go into surgery. Which probably means being knocked out full ... full anestesia.

And I am scared. Terrified in fact.

1 - this is creeping up like anticipatory anxiety ... just like before I fly, except ... there are no vacations after this ... just pain and pain killers. They'll stick a needle in my arm and then, wether i want it or not, they'll put me under. Yes I will be out of control and you have no idea what kind of FURIOUS fear it's generating in me. It's more than just fear ... it's borderline anger. But it hurts so much that at this point I don't care what they do. I want the suckers out of my mouth.

2 - what if I go under ... and I don't wake up? I hear that happens ... the anestesia scares me 1000 times more than the surgery itself.

I know that question probably resembles the usual "silly" question: "what if the wings snap off?" ... well they don't. What if I don't wake up? Well ... I will.

But the stupid little lingering doubt is there.

Yes this is the same mental fight i have due to my fear of flying.

It's the "broader" problem: fear of being out of control.

I think I am special. I think I am special because I am in control. If I relenquish my control, it would be like admitting that I am not special ... but that I am helpless ...

[Lynda]

Hi Mark

Tooth pain can be excrutiating so cry all you want!

Anesthesia frightens most people, you are not alone in your fear. I am a nurse ( Well Nurse Manager now) In all my years ( I am old) I have never known anyone not to wake up from the anesthetic.

Talk to the Anesthetist, he may give you a pre-med to assist with the anxiety.


Lynda

[MarcoAviator]

Talk to the Anesthetist, he may give you a pre-med to assist with the anxiety.

I am SO TOTALLY taking that. Thanks for the tip. Will do.

I am usually against meds but in this case ... what the heck, right? I am about to get stuffed like a turkey anyway ...

[Barb-SAN]

Marco,

I feel your pain! I too get a lot of anticipatory anxiety around medical procedures. I think just like with flying, reframing the issue can be helpful. As in, you are in intense pain right now...imagine if there were no Doctors and no hope of RELIEF? Would that not be 100 times more terrifying than knowing that there is a highly educated and trained Dentist who knows just how to solve your problem? The anesthesia is to help your body tolerate the procedure and block out the pain, and make the surgery less traumatic.

I had my wisdom teeth removed many years ago, and was given a shot of Demerol. I'd heard that was a great high from someone else who had had the same procedure...but it didn't "do" anything for me. I was still conscious, but just sort of out of it and not so worried about whatever was going on, and it wasn't painful. Don't know what they do now...but maybe you won't need to be completely unconscious if you don't want to be. It's something to discuss with your dentist...find out the options.

Afterwards I had some codeine pills to take for pain. The most important thing I did was stay awake most of the first night, changing ice packs on my jaw to minimize swelling. I also used Constant Comment tea bags (per dentist' advice) in my mouth which was supposed to help minimize any bleeding, and made my mouth taste a heck of a lot better. It took a few days to completely recover...I was off work maybe 3 days and just took it easy.

Just remember your destination (getting rid of "invasive" teeth) and returning to a painfree existence!

:thumbsup:
Barb-SAN

P.S. If the pain is that bad right now...can't the dentist give you something for it until they can do the surgery? No point in suffering needlessly!

[MarcoAviator]

Marco,

P.S. If the pain is that bad right now...can't the dentist give you something for it until they can do the surgery? No point in suffering needlessly!

I don't know ... but the pain is getting worse by the day. If I can't sleep I'll call him tomorrow (he works on saturdays).

[noflyingfan]

I was terrified when I had my wisdom teeth out. Not so much of not waking up, but of waking up and getting sick. A lot of people I knew had gotten knocked out and swallowed blood and stuff and ended up puking all day. They ended up giving me laughing gas or something like that, so I was awake but not really aware. I don't remember much about the surgery, and I had no pain and didn't get sick. Perhaps that is an option for you.

[scaredy_cat]

I had surgery last year and will probably have to do it again in a month or two ( I find out monday). I was scared of being put out also, but everything went just fine, I was disoriented when I woke up, and thought they hadn't done anything yet! I was sore from the surgery but didn't get sick or have any lingering effects from the anesthetic. (They had given me "something to relax me" before they took me to the OR and it put me right out, so I don't even remember going in). I'm nervous about it with my upcoming surgery too. Even though it was fine last time doesn't mean it will be fine this time right? But it needs to be done so I just have to deal with it, as you do.

Also, I know what tooth pain is like and I can tell you now I'd rather get on a plane every day for a month than to have a horrible toothache again.

You'll be just fine! :hug:

[Rebecca]

I was 28 when all that happened to me except it was all four wisdom teeth. I'd say get on that pain issue TODAY so you can get underway and see if something will help. I found nothing helped except having them out.

Definitely discuss that partial anesthesia ... you are aware but you don't care what they do to you. I've had root canals that way. Whatever they give you, I WANT SOME for flying!:hyped: You just DON'T CARE, man! You feel like buying the doc and nurses a round of drinks or something.

For the wisdom teeth, I had full knockout and as I went under I threw up my hand (attempting to control, still!) and hit the doc's scalpel (he was standing by holding it at the ready). So I woke up with a big bandage on my thumb where I sliced it.

Soft stuff only for a week and then you're chewing again. Chewing ... ahh, we take it SO for granted ...

Yes, surgery is one of those CONTROL biggies, like trusting pilots. Yet, haven't you ever wanted to be anesthetized to fly commercially?:cool::lol:

Just try to keep your hands away from the scalpel.

We're all going to be thinking of you, Marco, and looking forward to your Extraction Report!:grouphug:

[noflyingfan]

Definitely discuss that partial anesthesia ... you are aware but you don't care what they do to you. I've had root canals that way. Whatever they give you, I WANT SOME for flying!:hyped: You just DON'T CARE, man! You feel like buying the doc and nurses a round of drinks or something.

I asked the anesthesiologist if he could give me some in a doggy bag, and when I left, I told the doctor that that was the worst party I'd ever been to.

[MarcoAviator]

I had all of my wisdom teeth out with "conscious sedation." Basically that means they drug you until you don't care that you can see a column of smoke and bone fragments flying out of your own mouth. I'd take anesthesia anyday. Wake me up when it's over.

I guess it will all depend on what needs to be done. All my wisdom teeth are out (meaning that the "crowns" are out of the gums and visible). There's no "digging" to be done that I can think of ... but I don't reallly know for sure. The surgeon will be able to tell me ...

So, if the operation is extraction with minimal work around the tooth, I am probably taking partial.

If he needs to work for 4 hours and use a jackhammer, I'll choose to go under.

I'll know for sure on monday.

[EyesSkyward]

I had all of my wisdom teeth out with "conscious sedation."

Me too. I was technically "awake", but I don't really remember much.

Thankfully, they didn't have to do much bone-breaking either. I had chipmunk cheeks for many days, and some nausea (from the pain pills), but other than that, it was no biggie.

- Jeff

[kari]

It's fine. You don't know anything about it and it really is just like going to sleep.

Be aware though if they give you an oral premed like they did with me it tastes like cocodamol dissolved in pure ethanol. :shocked:

[Agne]

I had 2 wisdom teeth out with partial anestesia. I was fine and didn't feel anything! The dentist said that total anestesia was not necessary in my case.

My best fried had surgery two years ago, and she was very afraid of anestesia. They did a pre-anestesia and after that she told me she was totally fine and calm even if when she woke up she didn't remember much. But the nurse told her that she kept smiling and asking for "another little injection" until they got operating theatre where she greeted the doctors saying "BUONA SERA !!!".

When my grandmother had surgery, after anestesia she started speaking -she was asleep- about how ridiuculous the surgeon was with those green big trousers. When she woke up the doctor said "so you don't like my trousers, uh?". My grandmother: :blush: "how does he know I don't like his trousers???"

[MarcoAviator]

OMG this hurts so bad ...

I am in a fog of pain. Taking painkillers.

On Monday I will BEG the surgeon to take it out right there on the spot. I will even bring a pair of pliers with me from my workshop, if he needs them.

URRRRGH!!!

:cry: :cry: :cry:

[Barb-SAN]

Marco....

Sorry the pain continues...hope the painkillers have kicked in by now. It sounds like you have successfully "reframed" the situation and will be looking forward to your visit to the surgeon.

Imagine how it was for humans before there were dentists (and of course there are people in the world today without access to them...who may be resorting to just the sort of primitive methods you suggested....pliers or worse...).

Good luck...and hope it all goes smoothly & you are soon pain (and wisdom tooth) free!

Barb-SAN

[scaredy_cat]

my sympathies Marco

I know just how bad a toothache can be. I think its worse than any other pain. Hope the painkillers help.

:hug:

[MarcoAviator]

Today, for some unexplicable reason I feel better. No pain killers.

Obviously I know perfectly well that this is the calm before the storm and it could start again, in earnest, without warning and at any time.

I went to the oral surgeon for a consultation and (SURPRISE!!!) the told me my two lower wish-d#mn teeth are going to go.

Scheduled surger for Thursday morning.

Scared out of my mind.

PS: wish-d#mn teeth = I wish the d#mn things weren't there.

[Rebecca]

I wish the d#mn things weren't there.Soon enough, they won't be!

I hope you're still bearing up ... if it helps, know that many of us would rather have our wisdom teeth out than fly.

:wave:Hang in there!!

[MarcoAviator]

Well ... tomorrow is the day. Tomorrow morning ... my wisdom teeth come out.

Last I had surgery I was 6. I barely remember it.

This would be the first time after almost 30 years.

I don't know how I will react to the anestesia, the operation, the after-effects.

if I am capable I will post here tomorrow after the operation. For what I understand I'll be stoned until late afternoon ... after which I will wish I was still stoned, for what they tell me.

Fear of the unknown is rampant right this second.

[Barb-SAN]

Yes, Marco, that sounds like a good idea. "My trip report to the oral surgeon". If you just start journaling everything (no detail is too small), it will give you a focus, and it will also educate the rest of us. It might also be constructive to try different physical and mental "tools" that we've discussed here, and things that you've used for your long flights, and see how effective they are in this situation. Normally we don't have a long run of high anxiety to practice with in our day to day life. You probably don't need to know all the googled details of the wisdom-teeth-removal procedure...it's probably enough to know that your dentist has done this hundreds of times, and knows just what to do.

Hope everything goes well, and we will all be awaiting your "trip" report. I'm sure you will feel an enormous sense of relief once the procedure is over, and then you can concentrate on healing, and flying your plane! Maybe some day you will pilot the Taking Flight charter jet....:bigplane:

:thumbsup: Barb-SAN

I'm on the way to the dentist myself in a couple hours...just a routine cleaning, but I just found out my regular dentist is on vacation so one of the other dentists in the office will check after the hygienist is finished. I'm slightly apprehensive about an "unfamiliar" dentist who's not used to looking at my teeth...but know that they are all qualified there in that office.

[Rebecca]

:)Some of what happens IS known, Marco! Mainly that today's surgery is all about having you as pain free as possible. I took care of my stepdaughter after all four of her wisdom teeth were removed a couple of years ago, and it looked like this:

Patient given big-gun pain relievers to use "as needed" and then milder ones to use as time goes on. She took a big gun pill as soon as she got home. This reminds me ... GET ALL YOUR MEDS BEFORE THE SURGERY so you don't have to stop at the pharmacy on your way home!

Patient told to STAY AHEAD OF THE PAIN ... don't wait 'til it's bad to take the pain meds, take them before the pain returns. You will be able to tell what you need to do this.

Patient told to use ice packs on jaw for 15-minute intervals immediately after surgery. She said they really helped. This reminds me ... you should probably have someone with you for the first day or two because you may not feel like getting up, making ice packs, or keeping track of what meds you take when. Your caregiver can do that and you can just rest.

Patient had to take antibiotics, too ... as caregiver, I made a chart of all the meds and when they should be/actually were taken.

Ice cream and instant mashed potatoes were the favored foods. No straws, and no smoothies with seeds or nuts, etc.

After a few days, PRESTO! You feel almost normal and those wisdom teeth will never bother you again. And fortunately, all our wisdom is not stored in those teeth.

:sunshine:Nurse Ratchett

[Barb-SAN]

Excellent advice, Rebecca, and good to know what's the current "wisdom". As I mentioned in an earlier post...I have clear memories of using ice-packs around the clock the first day to prevent swelling. (Guess that would be at "intervals" so you don't get frost-bite).
Barb-SAN

[MarcoAviator]

thanks you guys.

Incredibly this forum is helping me for more than just fear of flying.

Incidentally I just read about Chelle's recent surgery and now that I read about it I can't help feeling like a little scared dweeb.

She had a TAH/BSO (and God ... I almost passed out when I read what THAT was) and here I am, soiling my pants for a couple of wisdom teeth!

Yeah I am still very scared ... and now I also feel like smacking a hammer on my forehead.

I'll be thinking of you guys and gals tomorrow.