Contemplating suicide rather than go to the dentist.

[Levis4]

I haven't been to the dentist for 20 years as I am petrified. I recently quit smoking and now my awful teeth are my focus. I know I will need extractions and fillings. I have had panic attacks for 6 years now and they have worsened since I quit the fags. I have had one sucide attempt in the past and am thinking of doing it again. I am on beta blockers anti de presents and after last suicide attempt sedatives. I have been trying to get councilling for years now through my doctor without success. I haven't seen him since after my suicide attempt 2 years ago. He said I could go in anytime and see him but when I do they tell me to make an appointment. I tried to see him today but was told to phone them at 8am tommorow. I am not sleeping. Hardly eating for a fear of making my teeth worse and cry every morning in the shower. Help please?

[Binky1]

Hi there

Oh you poor soul I know how you feel, I too was terrified absolutely petrified of the dentist as I'd had a few bad experiences

It ended up that I needed lots of treatment .. I got sedated with a tiny injection in my hand and I'm telling you it was like a miracle!! I woke up and it was all over and done with and I didn't remember a thing

My 23yr old son has just had the same sedation as he was petrified as well & it was like a miracle to him also

Please speak to your dentist & tell them how scared you are, they are there to help you not scare you

Please call your GP as well & get help from them as you shouldn't have to suffer like this

Keep talking on here and people will support you whichever way we can

Thinking of you

Lesley x

[Hidden]

Hi Levis

Oh I was sad when I read your post I felt so much for you & could tell how low you were feeling

Well done on stopping smoking , I am a smoker & have been for years & I have not managed to stop , that takes some strength & determination , so even though you are feeling low at the moment somewhere deep inside you must be a very strong person but this depression & anxiety you are feeling at the moment is so overwhelming I know you wont be feeling very strong

I am also petrified of the dentist , I don't normally say but my front tooth is capped & even though I have a good dentist I have never got round to having it done permanent so now & again it falls of & I am always devastated when it does as no one wants to really have their front tooth missing !

I would look round all the dentists you can even phone the dental surgeries in your area , explain how you are petrified of going & have they any dentists that are good with patients like yourself

My dentist is & you should see me when I go , I am nearly passing out , shaking , sweating , but she talks me through everything , stops when I put my hand up if I feel it is getting to much & she even says she has lots of patients like me & some worse , so a lot of dentists are used to having patients like us & they will work with you & with the help & encouragement you will get from the members on this site you will not feel alone you will have somewhere you can come & talk & get support , if you take that first step , if it is just making an appointment , you don't have to have any treatment there & then just let them tell you what & how they would do any treatment needed that alone would be a little step forward & as Blinky said there maybe the option of been sedated to have the treatment done

As for your doctor saying you could go anytime to talk yet you don't seem to be able to get pass the receptionists which can be a problem now a days I would persevere in getting an appointment with him & when you see him tell him what you have been going through & how many time's & how desperate you have been feeling but they have not let you see him & then ask if he could put something on you medical notes that the receptionists could see saying he has given permission for you to see him anytime

Counselling is something I feel if we need it we should not be refused even though the waiting lists can be long in certain area's , so ask again in fact maybe don't ask but say this is what I want & feel will be good for me & if he says no ask why & if you don't agree with what they say you can politely say you don't agree & you would still like to try it

I know you will already know that there is always the Samaratains on the other end of the phone to talk to if you feel desperate so please if you need that contact to talk to someone & hear their voice phone them on 08457 909090

Keep talking on here & let us know how you get on

Love

whywhy

xxx

[Mysteryreader]

Don't feel there is much I can add to the 2 other posts but as they have suggested look at at few on the internet then try ringing a few to see if they're used to dealing with people with fear of dentists and take it from there. If you can try and keep eating as not eating will definitely make you feel worse. Hope you get sorted and feel better soon MR

[es27]

I was much the same with dentists had a panic attack in the chair bout fourteen years ago i also smoke and hate my teeth but have finally been to dentist this last year and found to really kind understanding dentists in a new surgery . As for doctors getting past the reception is the hardest bit for me again i have changed docs and new one is good was seeing him today but he is sick so i have to build myself up to go. The best doc i saw was an out of hours on at six on the morning after bad night i was the only one there and he spent nearly an hour calming me running tests and doing the most thorough examination ever. Guess wat i am saying is there are some good ones out there and people with our issues are blessed when we can find them . Stay strong i hope you get the help you need and can find a way of coping with this horrible anxiety/panic.