Those Awful Dental Visits

Have you considered hypnosis?

I'm laughing, not because of the idea, but because I did go to two sessions some time back, I think before actually knowing what the condition was that I had. Sadly, it didn't work for me, but perhaps now knowing what I'm dealing with, it might work. I know a local woman with a hypnosis practice. Thank you for the suggestion.

I have an appointment for it as a desperate attempt to deal with a taste disorder. I’m paying out of pocket, so I hope it helps.

I’ve read that some dental patients actually have procedures after putting themselves into a state of relaxation, and without regular anesthesia.

Is your trouble in the dental chair from anxiety or your lung condition?

My anxiety is in having to deal with the lung condition during the appointment. They seem like they go on forever and it's so much stress trying not to cough or fearing that I will cough, etc.

I see. My mom has a psychological issue with laying her head back. She can’t manage to do it at the ER or dentist. Says she can’t breathe. She has them elevate her head at the ER, but has evaded the dentist for years. She suffers with severe anxiety. She is able to lay back at the hair salon. Lol. Not kidding.

But seriously, she doesn’t have a lung condition. I hope you can find something that helps. Neglecting dental work can be very painful in the mouth and wallet. Had my fill of that this past March…pardon the pun.

I have had frequent dental visits over the last 2 years while also undergoing antibiotic treatment for MAC and abscessus. I had a discussion with my dentist before starting the series of treatments about NTM and reflux, and gave him copies of a couple of articles. He has been very willing to accommodate my needs by buying the right filters for his water supplies and keeping my chair at 30 degrees. It’s a little more trouble for him I’m sure, but he was able to accomplish everything he needed to do in all 4:quadrants of my mouth.
Sometimes we can get what we need if we ask. I have been so grateful for his care.

What has helped me is to let the hygienist know first thing that I may start coughing and need to sit up. I take my own water and rinse with that. As someone mentioned, the chair doesn’t have to recline all the way. I also focus on relaxing. I don’t usually have issues so I do annual checkups. Good luck!

It’s the water being sprayed I’m afraid of

Sounds as if you have a very good dentist. I've given mine a brief summary article about BE and mentioned my anxiety but except for saying that we can take breaks if and when I need to do so, that's been her only accommodation. Perhaps I have to be more adamant about not being tipped so far back or having that plastic prop in that forced the mouth to stay open. It's a nightmare! I don't know if all dentists use those now. You have a good point. Sometimes it involves speaking up strongly enough to be taken seriously. Thanks!

Oh yes, that plastic prop is a problem when you want to cough! My dentist and I have a system: When I am being lowered, I say 'when' to stop and we have a hand signal. I give the 'signal' when I must cough. We then simply stop and I can turn and hack ! Makes for a smooth appointment... until the bill comes ! heehee