Post
marinavs
1y ago

Allergy or panic?

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?

Specialist answer
Our free therapy courses to cope with panic attacks
Veena Choudhary
1y
Specialist

Hi,


Based on the information given by you first rule out if you have any allergy. If there is no allergic reaction then panic attacks could be because of the phobia or the fear to go through the procedure.


  • Sit down with a dentist and understand the entire procedure so that you are prepared for it.


  • You can also ask the dentist to tell you everytime he is doing something on you so that you are prepared and informed about what he is doing like each step. You can mentally prepare for what is to come.


  • Another helpful strategy is establishing a signal such as raising your hand when you want dentist to stop or you need to catch a breath.


  • Learn certain breathing or muscle relation techniques like you can just close your eyes and slowly inhale and exhale. keep repeating to yourself everything is fine.


  • You can also try this relation technique where you just focus on the object in front of you. keep looking at the object for a minute then close your eyes and try remember specific details about the object like colour, pattern, look, anything minute details also. This will help you to be distracted.
  • Another technique involves visualising happy thoughts during the procedure. Go to your happy place and think about funny or positive past memories. This will help you to relax your mind.


  • write down what worried you last two times you went. was it the anesthetic shot or was it the clinic, was it the doctor. find out your trigger and see if you can address the trigger or did it remind you of any allergic attack previously in the past.


  • You can ask your dentist if you can use amenities to help you out during the procedure. Like headphones with music, listen or watch some show. There are some dentist who provide you sedations to make you comfortable like laughing gas or deeper sedation. This you need to consult with your dentist to have a better understanding.


See what strategy and technique helps you.

ak
aksoll
1y

Reactions to anesthesia are not very common, but since you say you’re allergic to many products, it may include medical drugs too. Ideally, you need to do some tests and know exactly what anesthetic causes such a reaction. Once you know it, you shouldn’t have any more fears.

@m
@millenial101@
1y

Can it be that your anxiety about the procedure made you panic? Panic attacks really feel like heart attacks when you first encounter them. Adrenaline increases your heart rate and will make you sweat. For me, trembling is the worst, I look like a maniac and feel completely exhausted afterwards. But with panic attacks you must learn to live them through and realize that they will pass and you won’t die or something.

lo
lonely john
1y

I can relate. With my severe social phobia, I have mild panic attacks before visits to any doctor. You need to rewire your brain and make it believe that nothing horrible will really happen to you. It takes a lot of self-control, but with practice you learn to relax and calm down. Things are less scary when you understand why your body reacts this way. I’m not allergic though, no idea what to do about that.

Th
TheFourthFox
1y

Like the paramedic told you, it’s best to see a cardiologist to make sure everything’s fine in that area. Once that’s out of the question, you can try different techniques to cope with anxiety and panic. Conscious, slow breathing helps the brain reset, as does focusing on something other than your fear.

bumblebee
1y

If thoughts about dentists trigger your panic attacks, you need to work on it in order to change your overreaction to it! The next time in happens, try not to fight your panic but accept it. Be ready to live through it. Know that you can endure it, and once it’s gone, your brain will see a pattern that you lived, so it’s not that scary. Panic attacks do go away once you accept that they can’t hurt you.

ro
rosetta
1y

I’m sure there’re different types of anesthetics, and you can’t be allergic to all of them. Don’t be afraid to discuss it with your dentist beforehand, he’ll find ways to relieve the pain.

sh
shy_guy
1y

Numbness and dizziness are side effects of panic attacks. Your allergy might have nothing to do with it. You can try taking a sedative before going to the dentist, but I’d suggest you try to change your attitude to such episodes. Panic attacks happen to all of us. They’re disturbing when you first face them, but there’s nothing unnatural about them. With this mindset, it’ll be easier for you to stop panicking about the possible panic attacks and let them pass.

sh
shagrot-pev
1y

Whenever this happens to you again, at the dentist’s or anywhere else, do not run from it. Don't fight the symptoms. Try to surrender to it, knowing that once you recognize it for what it is, it will be over soon. I recommend reading about the nature of panic attacks and cognitive behavioral therapy.

scarlet rose
1y

I'm allergic to penicillin and amoxicillin which gives me really hard times when I need to get this through to my physician. He says it's not a true allergy. Whatever it is, it feels like an allergy. And dental anesthetics always give me runny nose and sneezing. What can one do... It's life. Knowing this, I mentally prepare myself for some unpleasantness every time I go to the dentist. I think in your story the sudden body reaction scared you so much that it triggered panic. So you were actually having both.

Gr
Greendays
1y

First, it's important to tell yourself that you'll get over your fear. It doesn't control you. Anxiety and panic have a way of taking over our brains and making us feel helpless. So it's crucial to stay positive and not give in to hopelessness. Do not be afraid and make another appointment with your dentist. You'll figure it out, it'll be all right.