Hi, I think my problem is not unique but I haven’t found ways to cope with it. Any thoughts?
I’m allergic to many foods and have to be careful about what I eat. We figured that out years ago, so it’s not that bad overall. Over the last three years I didn’t have a single case of rash or any other food reaction. I was absolutely unprepared for what happened during my last two visits to the dentist. Minutes after the dentist gave me a shot (some common local anesthetics), my heartbeat hastened, I began hyperventilating. My left arm felt numb, I was so shocked but also couldn’t say much. I was afraid I’d stop breathing right there. I suppose my red face and breathing alarmed my dentist who called his assistant and they jumped around me, not knowing what to do. Then I asked to call the ambulance. I felt helpless. There were two medical professionals in front of me, and all they could do was give me a glass of water! The ambulance doctor said it was either an allergy to anesthetics or problems with blood vessels. Long story short, they gave me a pill and left. My dentist flatly refused to proceed with the procedure. But I have a problem with two of my teeth! I went to another dentist, and I had to tell him what had happenned. He immediately showed reluctance to help me. But we still tried. The minute I was about to be given a shot, I felt I was about to pass out and freaked out. We stopped, and I went home. This has never happenned to me before! I just couldn’t control myself. Now I don’t know what to do next… How am I to treat my dental problems when even thinking about it throws me into fits of anxiety?
