shaky

[jaeclectic]

Spent 5-1/2 hours at the dentist this AM, or should I say AM into PM.

The visit had been estimated to be 2-1/2 hours if all went well, 4 at the most. I tried to tell the receptionist when scheduling that I thought this was too much to do in one visit. I tried again at 8 AM this morning to tell the dentist that I was concerned about doing this much in one visit. Was stressed enough about it that I started crying, which got everything off to a roaring start. But she was all medical-professional confident and reassuring and away we went.

I had been assuming that I'd be able to go into the office this afternoon.

After 4-1/2 hours of alternating between discomfort and sharp pain and not entirely successful attempts to control my swallow and gag reflexes, I was literally shaking.

At that point, I called my boss and told him I was running late and might need to take a sick day. And then proceeded to sit in the chair with tears leaking down my face, shaking, for another hour's worth of fitting temporary crowns.

At some point during all this, they handed me a pill. Between exhaustion and low blood sugar and the dose of pain medication, I was barely able to drive home.

So here I am: I've eaten some vegetable soup and smeared some goop on my dried-out lips and having vented, am about to go lie down.

I don't know which part upsets me more: the actual pain and suffering, the irrational embarrassment I feel at having to call off work... Oh wait. I do know which part upsets me most: they wouldn't listen to me.

Comments

[bulieb.livejournal.com]

Shudder. I feel so bad for you. I've had some really ghastly dentistry experiences (think: third world methods+non-English-speaking practioners+big pliers+not-numb-yet) that left me a blubbering heap. Take 800mg of ibuprophen with a big glass of water, put on a good dvd to take your mind off it, and just flop on the couch. The "not listening" part is the worst. Next time I have any dental work done I'm going to insist *before* the appoinment on having the following lined up:

valium
nitris
a ride home
big pain killers

If you have a round 2, I'd recommend all of them.

I hope you feel better!

[jafitz.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the sympathy and good wishes. I will now take a moment to be grateful that today did not involve pliers.

[zabet.livejournal.com]

oh, sweetheart. *hug*. i so feel for you. i loathe, loathe, loathe the dentist. i've wound up bawling more times than i care to think about. and the not listening thing....[insert throttling of dentist here.]

totally agree with bulieb--make sure next time they'll give you serious painkillers, valium, nitris, arrange a ride home, etc. and pitch a bloody fit if it hurts and they won't listen.

[eac.livejournal.com]

I prescribe new dentist; James and I have a good one, but he's in the City.