Question:
Hi all, I am new to this group. I was recently diagnosed with PTSD, after surviving a date rape 13 years ago. I’m also a psychology student, getting ready to graduate in December. I have been married for 12 1/2 years and have three children. My question is whether anyone else has had a similar experience to the one I had this week: I went to the dentist to get a filling, no big deal. I made the mistake of not telling anyone I had PTSD because I had gone to the dentist before, and it was tolerable. The dentist reclined my chair (not a good position for me, body memories…) and proceeded to give me a shot without warning me. I grabbed her arm, and informed her that I needed to be warned. She didn’t "get it". I ended up getting 5 shots because my adrenaline was supposedly pumping it right out of my system. The nurse offered for me to hold her hand each time I got a shot, and I nearly broke it. I am not a violent person, usually quite reserved, but I was petrified. The point I want to make about this experience is that for the first time since the date rape, this situation actually caused me to dissociate, to leave the situation and allow another part of me to take my place. I did recognize what was happening, but it was nearly impossible to keep it from happening. Has anyone else had an experience like this, with a doctor or dentist? My therapist wanted me to sign a release form so that she could yell at the dentist, but I would rather handle it. But, I’m wondering if this will happen wherever I go. I would try oral anesthetic instead of the shots, but I’ve had an experience with that as well. I was put under for a kidney stone operation several years ago, and I was thrashing around before I woke up. (Even though I didn’t remember the date rape when I had that surgery, my body evidently did.) Any information would be great. Thanks, B
Response:
> I went to the dentist to get a filling, no big deal. I made the mistake > of not telling anyone I had PTSD because I had gone to the dentist > before, and it was tolerable. The dentist reclined my chair (not a good > position for me, body memories…) and proceeded to give me a shot > without warning me. I grabbed her arm, and informed her that I needed to > be warned. She didn’t "get it". I ended up getting 5 shots because my > adrenaline was supposedly pumping it right out of my system.
I’m so sorry that you had to go through this disrespectful experience. Looks like the dentist’s "bedside manner" leaves a lot to be desired! I’ll be darned if I know why but trips to the dentist are way up high on my list of sheer terror! I don’t recall ever having any bad experiences with one and yet I get ill for several days prior to each visit. I have been lucky enough to find a dental practice which specializes in "anxious" patients. Rather than just freezing the mouth , I take a tranquilizer an hour before the appointment and then get knocked right out before he does any exploring. Even through that, I am "awake" enough to be conscious of the death grip I have on the arms of the chair <sad smile>. From where I sit, your reaction was entirely logical given the PTSD. As to whether or not it will happen wherever you go, I suppose that’s a risk but perhaps you can find a dentist who advertises that they specialize in anxious patients? If your previous visits with this one dentist where ok, perhaps talking to her when not in the midst of treatment? Take Care Gary
Response:
Hi B! Welcome out of lurk mode! :) > I am new to this group. I was recently diagnosed with PTSD, after > surviving a date rape 13 years ago.
–snip — > I went to the dentist to get a filling, no big deal. I made the mistake > of not telling anyone I had PTSD because I had gone to the dentist > before, and it was tolerable. The dentist reclined my chair (not a good > position for me, body memories…) and proceeded to give me a shot > without warning me. I grabbed her arm, and informed her that I needed to > be warned. She didn’t "get it". I ended up getting 5 shots because my > adrenaline was supposedly pumping it right out of my system. The nurse > offered for me to hold her hand each time I got a shot, and I nearly > broke it. I am not a violent person, usually quite reserved, but I was > petrified.
I have such a strong physical reaction to ‘regular’ novacaine (it is mixed with epinephrine to keep the novocaine localized around the place where the shot is delivered) that for medical purposes we call it an allergy. When I do need a shot of novocaine, he uses the old-fashioned straight stuff with no additives, such as epiniphrine; once his new assistant gave him the wrong ampule and ended up walking around the parking lot with me for 30 minutes until I could calm down. Between my adrenaline pumping and the ‘regular’ novocaine, the first time I experienced this reaction I ended up walking around 6 ft snowbanks being to warm for a coat over my suit blouse. My dentist now uses his new toy: the laser drill; he got it for me and several other patients who have trouble with shots. In addition, I promise you that I refuse to lie down in those reclining chairs until the chairs are positioned to the dentist’s or doctor’s satisfaction. I just sit up and wait! I don’t tell them about PTSD, just that I will throw up if they recline me. It takes care of the situation pretty well 
When they have forgotten and reclined me, I’ve jumped out of the chair and headed for the bathroom or front door. I return when I’ve calmed down (sometimes defined as no longer hyperventilating). They don’t usually forget again. > Has anyone else had an experience like this, with a doctor or dentist? > My therapist wanted me to sign a release form so that she could yell at > the dentist, but I would rather handle it. But, I’m wondering if this > will happen wherever I go.
In my experience, doctors and dentists don’t necessarily know what PTSD is. I just say that I am allergic to stimulants such as epinephrine and/or throw up in reclining chairs. When/if they ask me why, I go into details; if they don’t want to know, I don’t bother them with the ‘why’. BTW, I had no idea that the recliner problem is a body-memory problem from my date rape. Thanks for the insight! Smile and there will be something to smile about! Nancy
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