Valium Before the Dentist

United States
January 31, 2023 10:45am CST
My biggest fear in life is having dental work done. I dread the pain dental work might cause. My blood pressure is still fairly high and I spoke to the dentist about that when he said I needed an appointment to have to cavities filled. So he gave me a prescription for 2 valium pills. He said to take one 90 minutes before my appointment and save the other one for that day in case I need tot ake a second one. Yesterday I had to go back to the dentist to check on another tooth that was bothering me. I saw the first dentist's brother and in talking about my appt. next week, he advised me to take the first valium the night before so I could get a good night's sleep, then take the second one an hour before my appt. so I would piggyback on the results of the first pill. Because if I have tot ake a second one that morning, I wouldn't be advised tot ake it until I get there, and it takes an hour to kick in, at which point my dentist appointment would already be over. So now I am very confused. They will also use novacaine but I am so nervous that my blood pressure will go up and cause a heart attack while I am in the dentist chair. (I have had a heart attack once before due to being in a stressful siuation) I plan on speaking with the pharmacist about it, but have any of you ever taken a valium before a dentist appointment? Was one valium enough to relax you for the work that needed to be done?
11 people like this
8 responses
@dya80dya (33082)
31 Jan 23
I didn't take Valium, but I took something similar. It helped a lot. I have the same fear.
2 people like this
• United States
31 Jan 23
My fear is now worsened by the fear that my blood pressure will go up too high and give me a heart attack in the chair! In the past I have had them knock me out totally when they have done a root canal, but I am hoping I can handle it for 2 fillings.
2 people like this
@dya80dya (33082)
31 Jan 23
@Kouponkaren I hope you can handle it. I had bad panic attacks while I was in the chair. My therapist told me to count objects. It helped.
2 people like this
• United States
1 Feb 23
@dya80dya Count objects? So is that like counting sheep? What kind of objects should I be counting?
1 person likes this
@wolfgirl569 (93514)
• Marion, Ohio
1 Feb 23
I think the second idea is better. But the pharmacist can advise the best
2 people like this
• United States
1 Feb 23
@wolfgirl Yes, I will check with the pharmacist but I like it better also.
2 people like this
@RebeccasFarm (84373)
• Wheat Ridge, Colorado
31 Jan 23
Good luck at your dentist then Karen. It will be okay. I hope you are okay with all that is going on in your place there too.
1 person likes this
• Wheat Ridge, Colorado
1 Feb 23
@Kouponkaren Yes that is very funny but I do understand. I am just so sorry about it.
1 person likes this
• United States
1 Feb 23
@RebeccasFarm Which are you more sorry about, the house or my dental anxiety? :0)
1 person likes this
• United States
1 Feb 23
@RebeccasFarm The work on the house gives my husband anxiety but not me. It has actually stopped for the moment. We are waiting to see what the insurance guy will say about the estimate. We did order new faucets and the plumber, who we liked a lot, will be coming on Thursday to hook up the sink in the master bath again. That needed to be done before they can rebuild the cabinets. So that will be step one in the process, and we have to pay for that because it was just aging that caused the leak or "wear and tear" they called it so insurance won't cover that. Just the work needed to repair the damage. Thanks for mentioning that. Funny how that doesn't give me anxiety but a trip to the dentist does, and for my husband, it's exactly the opposite!
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (323745)
• Rockingham, Australia
1 Feb 23
I'm sorry you're so fearful and worrying about a possible heart attack would make matters worse. I hope it goes well for you.
1 person likes this
• United States
1 Feb 23
@JudyEv Thanks. I will try to give an update next week.
1 person likes this
@NJChicaa (115621)
• United States
31 Jan 23
I’ve taken Xanax before which is like the same thing. I take it for flying. I’d follow the guy’s advice and piggyback them. For me I take 1 just before going through security and one as I’m boarding the plane. That’s not the every 6 hours recommended but it knocks me out for most of the flight which is my goal
1 person likes this
• United States
1 Feb 23
@NJChicaa I took one Xanax before and it made me jittery, not relaxed at all. So I am glad hey didn't try to give me that. I was going through a divorce and I learned that taking just half a pill did wonders for my self-confidence. I only had to take it twice...once for meeting with all of the attorneys and my ex, and then once for the court appearance. It really helped me but not in a way that would help at the dentist.
@Hannihar (129114)
• Israel
31 Jan 23
@Kouponkaren No, I never had a valium ever in my life and not for the dentist to do something. I hope all the dental work went well.
1 person likes this
@Hannihar (129114)
• Israel
1 Feb 23
@Kouponkaren I always dread even going to the dental hygienist. I go every 6 months. They used to call but now they send an e-mail to remind me and I have to respond on whether or not I am coming. Good luck.
• United States
1 Feb 23
@Hannihar It hasn't happened yet. The appointment is for next Tuesday. I am SO dreading it.
1 person likes this
@sol_cee (38224)
• Philippines
1 Feb 23
Oh geez, I hate dental stuff too
1 person likes this
@CarolDM (203478)
• Nashville, Tennessee
31 Jan 23
I have never taken anything to visit the dentist. Good luck.
1 person likes this