In case anyone has noticed that I haven’t been around much lately, well…I haven’t been around much lately. Nope, a month ago (okay, so it was mid-January) I started having trouble with a wisdom tooth – my last one, thank God! I’d had to have a filling put in it a few years ago but just knew the sucker was going to have to come out this time.
Having a lifelong fear of dentists, I waited until things got pretty uncomfortable. When it became hard to sleep, and I was going through Ambesol Maximum Strength like I was addicted to its wonderful taste (being very sarcastic here), I decided it was time to just ‘man up,’ get an appointment and get it over with.
The only thing is, I hadn’t counted on my dentist being out on maternity leave…meaning I would have to wait a little over two weeks to get in and see her. Yippee skippy.
So anyway, I finally had the tooth pulled Wednesday morning, after approximately eight shots of Novocaine – and something she said was the strongest she had, fast acting but short – lived.
And there you have the reason I procrastinate every time I need to see a dentist. For whatever reason, numbing agents don’t work on me like they do on most everyone else. Something about my metabolism (and I’m not even sure I have a metabolism most of the time).
At least it’s out and I’ve been able to catch up on some sleep. Since arriving home, I figure I’ve slept about eighteen out of the past thirty-eight hours. And I may be heading in for another ‘nap’ shortly. As soon as this Advil kicks in.
Why did I decline a prescription for pain meds?
Oh, Kristy, you poor thing. There is nothing worse than tooth pain and I mean nothing! Including labor pain. Fortunately for me, my fear of pain is much more severe than my fear of dentists, doctors, and the like. I cannot imagine how you have lasted as long as you did, but I am so happy for you that it is finally over! Keep resting and take care! So glad you are back.
-Cindy
Hi, Cindy…
I apologize for the delay in responding but periodically WP files comments somewhere other than where they should go…and I just found this one tonight.
I agree with you 100% (though labor is a close second-I much preferred my C-sections to labor!). Unfortunately my fear of dentists is old and deep-rooted, and it’s always pain that motivates me to make an appointment. When it starts affecting my sleep, then it’s time to make the call. LOL…just didn’t count on my dentist being on maternity leave when I did.
Thanks for stopping by…it’s nice to see you. 🙂
Youch! I feel your pain, Kristy. Hope you’re feeling lots better and getting as much of that rest as you need. Great time for chilled foods…smoothies, ice cream—YUM. (Yeah, yeah, sugar. But you deserve it, IMHO. Go all natural if you prefer. ;))
I like the way you think. I’m getting my sugar rush today from a hazelnut decaf and a nutty crescent doughnut. And it’s getting better, thanks. 🙂
The pain hasn’t actually been as bad now that the tooth is out. And it only got that bad because I was too chicken to make the call. Not that it would have done any good a month earlier because she had just started her maternity leave.
My biggest problem now is that Hunger Games is going to be at the theater next weekend…and I WILL be eating popcorn. LOL…just going to have to make real sure I chew it on the OTHER side of my mouth. 🙂
Oops, if I’d known they were going to get it that soon, I’d have sucked it up and made the appointment for the week afterward. And I would have, too. Yeah, I know. I’m weird. 🙂
Ow, ow, ow, ow, OW. Much sympathy sent your way, Kristy. Sleeping with pain is not the same as really good sleep, but it sure beats NOT sleeping through it. Get well soon!
I have a phobia of dentists. I’ve a valid reason for this phobia which I will share with you another time, you’re too traumatized at the moment, so I feel your pain, literally. Also, pain meds work fine on me, those meds they use to sedate you for surgery? not so much. I’m always awake and checking out everything in the operating room. I’m so alert when I get in there, I ask questions about the equipment and make small talk. I’m a real delight as a patient (Yes that was dripping with sarcasm) rest, get better, and take care of yourself.
Sounds like your dental experiences have been similar to mine, Katrina. And I just told Asrai about my last experience with a C-section. I’m sure I delight my doctors and dentists, too. 🙂
Pain is bad. Toothpain makes it nearly impossible to think at times. Glad that you got it mostly taken care of. Make yourself up a green smoothie so you don’t have to chew.
My husband is like you with pain killers, few of them work properly on him. I have to watch my children closely to see if the react similarly.
I’m like you, I put off seeing the dentist. Mostly because until recently, I couldn’t really afford the services that were needed.
try some cold packs (or heat- heat works better on me).
I put off going to the dentist for one main reason…and that is fear, lol. With very few exceptions it’s always hurt. But it was the same with my last C-section. They didn’t believe it hurt until a nurse said, “OMG, she’s pulling her feet out of the strap!” Then they increased whatever med they were using in the epidural and it stopped hurting.
Do watch your kids…it’s a very unpleasant experience if they’re not properly medicated for dental (or ANY medical) work. And thanks for the suggestion. I’ll have to play around and see which works best, heat or cold. But the pain is quite a bit less today. I wasn’t diving for the Advil bottle when it was time. 🙂
why don’t you have sedation dentistry? My friend does that whenever she ahs to go to the dentist and she is now over her fear – she has the same problem you do – freezing doesn’t work on her.
glad you’re on the path to healing
She doesn’t do laughing gas, Louise. I wish she did. After the weird feeling, it makes the whole dental experience more pleasant. I feel for your friend. It’s not fun when their shots don’t work like they should. If I counted right on Wednesday, I had ten shots. When I went in for something last summer…it was seven. And I wound up with an infection…including my ear…because of it. Yippee. 🙂
my goodness. I’ve never heard of this much trouble with dentistry. I’m grateful for my stuff.
LOL…I wish I never had. But it’s been this way since my first appointment for a molar to be pulled when I was in second grade. 🙂