Orthodontist Triggers Panic Attack

Deep breath in and out. I survived my ortho appt today. I did receive some good news. Assuming this last little space closes and nothing new crops up, my braces will come off on August 13th. Yeah!

The ortho tells me we need to close the last space. He says it is going to get mighty uncomfortable as he pulls at these teeth. It does hurt - the pressure is intense. However, I can tell he is going as slowly and gently as he can.

Two chairs down from me are two other patients (children) getting molds made. I hate having molds made so I am sympathetic. I can hear the first one gagging, crying and retching. After he is done, the doctor suggests doing the other in another room - a private room as opposed to the half-circle, public treating area where the rest of us are. But by that time, I am already experiencing sympathy nausea and gagging. It doesn't help that I am virtually flat on my back, dizzy and having trouble breathing will all this baby weight on me. Then the hygentist says, "go ahead and spit. That wasn't so bad. Probably not the worst taste you ever swallowed." I hate spitting sounds and am very triggered. I try to take deep breaths, which is difficult with hands in my mouth.

Then the ortho wants to check my bite placement. Which means he moves to the front right side of me, leans over my face, puts his fingers along my upper gum line and has me move my mouth around. All this while he is saying "that feels good" (meaning placement is good) and "great job" and "just like that." All of this while he is hanging over me. Yuck.

I am finally raised up in the chair. Now the dizziness really kicks in, but I am in such a rush to get out of there that I stand up anyway and weeble-wobble my way to the desk to check out. I get in my car and start deep breathing, head down on the steering wheel. Gradually things stop spinning and the gagging feelings are better.

I drive to the coffee store and order a fruit shake and muffin - to raise my blood sugar back up. I take some tylenol to stop the throbbing in my mouth and wish I were able to take a few xanax too. I pull out of the drive-through and realize that the reason I can't see is because I'm crying. So I drive slowly back to the office, with deep breaths. I've pulled it together when I get to my desk.

I sit down and immediately get a call. Dr. Jones on the phone for you. I answer and am reminded that Daughter is having two fillings done tomorrow. Husband is taking her - but I'm still anxious and upset about it.

Deep breath in...........deep breath out...........