Bad anxiety poor coping methods

[azmarktb]

Hey all. On Wed I bit into a chicken finger and broke my veneer off at the gumline. I called my DDS and sent him a pic and he said they have to do a tooth extraction(to get out the remaining broken piece) and then do a bridge or implant. Im freaking out! I have horrible dental phobia. I don't take meds but I use beer as my coping mechanism. I am drinking way too much but it numbs me. Im very apprehensive to start meds due to side effects and dependency. I can't sleep just thinking of going thru this dental procedure. Btw. I do have 7 yr old xanax im thinking of trying to see how I feel so I can take it before the dds visit. Has anyone taken expired xanax? I read all kinds of bs about taking expired meds but then I read where most meds last like 15 yrs past the date. Thoughts? I need someone to talk to!!

[SCC1]

I have heard that meds expire after 1 yr. (my Dr is the person who said that.) They probably won't work as well, if at all, if they are expired, especially by 7 yrs. I, personally, would not take meds that are 7 yrs old. You can try getting a new RX

[azmarktb in reply to SCC1]

Your doctor is an idiot. Meds don't expire after 1 yr. Hes just covering his ass.

[SCC1 in reply to azmarktb]

Why, thank you. So nice of you to share that.

[b1b1b1]

Ask the druggist about the expiration of the Xanax, but if you take it just before the tooth is pulled, doublecheck with the dentist that it is OK. The reason for this is that you will have medication before and after the extraction and you want to make sure there is nothing that will interact with the Xanax.

[Iliketojugglejuggle]

I’m not sure on the Xanax issue as I’ve never taken it, but drugs typically lose potency over time. After 7 years that Xanax is probably useless though.

I too get anxious about dentist visits, but I try to reassure myself these are professionals who do this all day everyday so even though it’s a dramatic and exceptional situation to you, to them it’s another day at the office. Picture something you’re very good at, something that you can almost do in your sleep, and then someone coming to you with anxiety asking you to do it. You know that person has nothing worry about. Worst case they can put you to sleep and you won’t remember a thing. 😀it’ll be okay!

[azmarktb]

I appreciate the response but pick something you are terrified of and allow me to tell you no big deal.

[paddie2]

I used to be so scared of the dentist but not any more ..if you are scared tell your Dentist she could put your mind at east and give you something to calm you before your appointment. Good luck

[Loughborough53]

very much understand your problem as I am the same but I found a dentist who gives sedation, I have had three teeth out three sedation episodes …and whilst I’m still a mess before I go, it’s brilliant and helps a lot . You seriously don’t know what happened , and then it’s all over

[Dixie9326]

Do not do that, make an appt with another dentist and get a “second opinion”! That sounds very drastic.. can’t see why they can not numb that area to remove the rest…🤦🏻‍♀️

Please see another dentist!😳

[azmarktb in reply to Dixie9326]

I never said anything about not numbing

[Dixie9326]

What?.. 🤦🏻‍♀️. My message was that you need another opinion before it is removed….!🤷🏻‍♀️🤷🏻‍♀️🤷🏻‍♀️ Do as you must but don’t ask for opinions if you have already made up your mind…if the only advice that you need is taking expired meds call your doctor or dentist… I’m a retired Emergency Department RN and your meds were given for a specific reason…not for self medicating…🥴😳

[azmarktb in reply to Dixie9326]

You are not making any sense whatsoever

[Dixie9326]

I’m making perfect sense..Your reading comprehension must be insufficient!🤦🏻‍♀️

[designguy]

I don't think a med like xanax really ever "expires" it may just loose some of it's efficacy. I've taken expired Klonopin without any problems.

[Hidden]

How much beer do you drink to “cope”?

Alcohol is far more dangerous than doctor prescribed medicine.

Now - if I were you I would ask for nitrous oxide gas. Also, dentists will prescribe anti- anxiety meds for the appointment just tell them you need it. No big deal.

[Marysblue]

I broke a tooth off at the gum line Monday on a date pit. I had a meltdown when my dentist told me I needed it pulled. Wasting money on a second opinion. I had it pulled Thursday and I'm doing great today.. I spent a lot of extra money to get an IV sedation. I sat down in the chair, the next thing I know I'm getting wheelchair ride out to the car.If I do get an implant it'll be next year. And I have a missing tooth next to that one already. I can chew just fine. Make sure your dentist will give you sedation or gas. I have a lot of anxiety at dentist office and it was not bad at all. And drinking beer causes depression to be worse on top of a lot of other things. And alcohol increases stress hormone, cortisol. Please find some healthy coping skills.

[Sherrysymonds62]

Most of the time the dentist will prescribe something for you to take before your procedure