yes i do understand,i fear going to the dentist.there fore i have not gone as i should.on my last trip to the dentist,before they could give me any meds,i panicked and passed out.but after i have some good coping skills and my anxiety meds now,i have hope and faith my next app.will go much more smoothly for me.maddie.i pray you also have good coping skills to use.maddie.

When they sedate you you won't feel anything. Even if you're not knocked out, it will be like a dream.

I think what you are talking about is called 'twilight sleep' and it is wonderful. It puts you in a very relaxed state and then they give you some novicane. The dentists try to make you as comfortable as possible and when you are in pain....they suffer anxiety as well (it's nice to know they are compassionate and don't want to hurt you).
I have had to have extensive work done in my mouth, so I know the anxiety you speak of. I now go in with a good attitude and my dentist and I are really good friends. He explaines everything to me ahead of time and never rushes me.
Once you are seated in the dental chair, try closing your eyes gently and do some deep breathing and consciously relax your muscles one by one.
I really wish they had tv or some great reading material on the ceiling so we can have something that would distract us seeing as we are mostly looking at the ceiling anyways....lol.....
oh well, try taking your ipod with some good relaxation music to listen to while you wait for the doc to give you "twilight sleep'......you won't remember a thing...trust me :)

I take my MP3 player with my meditation on it.

It will work out OK. I get panicked at the dentist too. Time will pass quickly and it will be over before you know it.

People fear the dentist who don't even have anxiety disorders. It's real common and yeah I know exactly how you feel. Even for cleanings....I'm a nervous wreck until I get somewhat comfortable. After many years I found a great Dentist who also has a great staff of ladies working for him. I wish you luck and just know that you are not alone..... =)

I understand how you feel completely! I hate going to the dentist. It's much worse than going to any other doctor for me. I hate people touching my face, and I feel trapped sitting in the chair. Sedation should be good though, you won't notice anything, even if you are awake.

I worry about the dentist. IN the past, when I have had the panic spurts, I cannot sit still.

Last time went really well for me. I can't take these relaxation methods because I have a neuromuscular disorder(not MS), and relaxing muscles not so good for me.

I used my headphones and the numbing stuff they did well at providing. I don't like thinking about it, but some days are better than others perhaps. Hopefully you will feel less apprehensive soon.

Best wishes for peace,
TJ

I know how you feel, but I recently had an endoscopy. I was really nervous about it as well. It was the same deal. It's a sedation that causes you not to remember. And it really is like you were asleep. You will not remember a thing I promise! The last thing I remember was them putting the mask on me, then I woke up in a different room and it was all over. I obviously wasn't totally asleep because I had walked into another room and laid down somewhere else at some point, but I had no memory of it whatsoever. Don't think of it as having dental work done. Think of it as going in to take a nap because that REALLY is what it is. Then you will actually feel really good afterwards! At least I did!

I'm with you, I detest going to the dentist.

I don't fall completely asleep under sedation. I just become less aware and I end up not even realizing that I was getting treatment in the first place. Also, the sedation really eased my anxiety.

Maybe you can have someone in the room with you to hold your hand while you are getting treatment? That might ease your anxiety a bit. Or, like someone else said, listen to some calming music to drown out any background noise.

Good luck, and I'm here for you. :)
-Amy