Question:
Had to make a little emergency trip to the dentist. Tried to explain
that I needed more anastheitc(sp) than the average person cos I have
fibro and my substance P is screwed up. Didn't listen. And that stupid
little assistant of his kept telling this won't hurt a bit, she yelled
at me for saying something hurt when she knew it didn't. I let her have
it. Told her she didn't have fibro so she had clue what the meaning of
pain was. (Can't wait till they do the actual root canals)
Now the mouth feels better, but my jaw hurts from keeping it open, TMJ,
my checks hurt like..., Trigger points. My neck and shoulder are
killing me from trying not to leap out of the chair when he hit the
nerves. And them telling me to keep still.
So since they can't get me back in to finish in August, any advise on
making the next trip a little less painful.
Answer:
I'd write the office a letter describing how painful your last appointment was,
as well as, how your personal needs for receiving dental treatment were not
met. Point out that they ask for a medical history when you became a patient.
Include some information on FM to enlighten them. (just one good article) A
Dental office is a money making business and needs to retain their patients in
order to do so.
Assistants are normally only trained in proceedures and in general dental
education in order to function within an office. Only through experience and
educating them do they become more sensitive to their patient needs. Unless
they are just naturally a compassionate person. It costs virtually nothing for
that Dentist to give you more anesthetic to be comfortable during your
proceedure compared to taking up more time in the chair trying to gather
yourself constantly from the pain. Point that out. Tell them both that your'e
very happy that they don't suffer from what we do but pain management is part
of your everyday life in order to function and that includes the dentist
office. PS. Try wetting a hand towel and warming it up steamy in the microwave.
Do compresses with it before and after visits. Also if you take a pain pill
before your visit let them know.
I've found that having the dentist give me gas helps - even for a cleaning.
For me, it's no gas equals no patient! Also, as suggested a pain pill
before helps. Finally, I listen to a relaxation tape on headphones. Also
find if I ask them not to converse with me the gas works better. I take
REALLY GOOD care of my teeth cause I hate going to the dentist so much.
I had my 6 month check up a few weeks ago.
They have always asked if anything has changed healthwise. I decided to tell
them about the dx of Fibro last August. When the dentist came in, he said he
noticed the new dx. Then said is there anything we can do to help you at your
appointments? I had to have a filling this time and it was the first time
that he asked if I was having any pain. They have always known about my neck
problems and whenever I get seated in the chair, there is "my" neck pillow. I
guess I have a fairly compassionate dentist.
I would probably take a bit more pain med and maybe the muscle relaxer before
you went to the next appt. in Aug. I would again remind anyone that was in
that room that you need more pain med than a normal person. Maybe a few
printouts about FM could be handed to the assistant and dentist. Saying as
you handed it to them "I thought you might benifit with some more knowledge
about this DD".
