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May 30, 2005 19:01:38 GMT -5
Post by csupan on May 30, 2005 19:01:38 GMT -5
guys, i came here terrified, in pain and scared. now i am heartened, in pain and optimistic. it is very reassuring that all the posts on this forum have been replied to with tact and benevolence. well done to the moderators and users. so i thank you all. it took me a good few beers to get the courage to log on to this site (let alone visist a dentist) but for this one dentalphobe this site has been very, very helpful. thanks.
in the last 3 hours (on this site) i have cried more than i have cried since i was a baby (i am a 27 year old bloke in London who has not had any social/romantic liaison this side of 2000, it hurts me to eat and speak, i have trouble sleeping and i am drinking much more than i should.) i understand we all have our story; this is mine. please indulge me by accepting me to the forum (and apologies for the "me, me, me" focus and if comments i make are already covered elsewhere in the forum). i need some dental work done, top two front teeth and each of four molars are more hole than tooth, probably some others too. i panic when my tongue accidentally touches a tooth, it hurts to brush and i wear a moustache to try and hide the decay of my teeth, i try my hardest to never smile. i am scared of "the dentist" i am also scared of being out of control. my last procedural visit to a dentist was in 1999 (first for 8 years) when i had a painful extraction since then i have mainly lived on soup (the famous one from the red tin) and although i have a good job i have no social life because i have such a revolting set of teeth. i can't even look at myself in the mirror without felling abhorrence. having read some of the site i just want to say a massive thank you to the moderators and posters. it has helped me immensely to overcome some demons.
sorry about the long and boring post but without this website i would still be terrified, in pain and scared. like pandora's box: hope always remains. thank you
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May 31, 2005 4:48:40 GMT -5
Post by Faye on May 31, 2005 4:48:40 GMT -5
Welcome Csupan! Great to meet you! I thought I was reading a post from myself for a minute. I'm also 27 and drink more than I should and I cried reading messages on this site lol. You've got absolutely no need to apologise for anything you wrote a really good post. I'm so sorry to hear that your last visit to the dentist wasn't a good one, it's daunting going at the best of times but when you've had a painful experience it must be really difficult. It's great that you're able to post about your problems and to read through the site. It really is a huge help. I too used to hate looking at myself too closely in the mirror. My gums were really red, my teeth were stained, a couple were yellow and a lot had brown tartar and stains on them. I really really though that I'd have to have all my teeth removed. After looking through this site though I was able to learn a bit more about what was wrong with my teeth and became a bit braver. It really is amazing how much this site helps. I've gone from being scared of toothpaste adverts to being able to look through Dr Spillers pictures! Do you have anyone close you could confide in and perhaps ask to recommend a nice dentist? How do you feel about dentists in general? Hopefully Letsconnect might know of a good dentist in the London area. Sorry to have rambled on a bit but welcome to the site, we'll do our best to help and get you all fixed up. You'll be out checkin out the ladies in London in no time Faye
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May 31, 2005 5:51:42 GMT -5
Post by happy on May 31, 2005 5:51:42 GMT -5
Hi csupan, I can only agree with all that faye has said. It could have been me too that had written your post!It also took me haviong a few drinks to pluck up the courage to read this site., and looking back, I was drinking far too much, just to be relaxed enough with close friends. I have not had any treatment for 20 + years but now had to pluck up courage to have treatment due to a very bad, chronic infection.This time tomorrow it will be over and done with hopefully ( three extracted under iv) As faye has said, maybe the moderators can recommend a good dentist in your area, or maybe try writing to a few / or e-mail them explaining your fear first? Just know that you're not alone in this situation, fingers crossed for you.
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May 31, 2005 7:31:17 GMT -5
Post by letsconnect on May 31, 2005 7:31:17 GMT -5
Where's the "me, me, me focus" in your post?? That was a lovely "thank you" message and I'll make sure to pass it on to the other moderators ! Mike gives lectures in London on a regular basis, so it's quite possible that he knows of someone there. Gordon might know someone, too (after all, London IS a pretty big place and you should be spoilt for choice!). Or maybe even someone reading this board can suggest someone (though from memory, there haven't been any London posters, but someone else might stumble across it). Many thanks again - your feedback is hugely appreciated (nothing like a bit of flattery to boost the old morale, lol ;D!)
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May 31, 2005 15:39:07 GMT -5
Post by csupan on May 31, 2005 15:39:07 GMT -5
thank you all for your kind words, advice and experiences. it will sound silly but i have 10x more confidence thanks to you guys. especially good luck to 'Happy' my thoughts and prayers are with you. i am hoping to take a few days off work soon so i can read this site (and some of the useful links) properly. it has been an unutterably useful resource to me. again: thank you. at the moment my thoughts are to go for a full clearance and get some false choppers set in (i can repay a loan over time). but the few people i have spoken to have advised me against this. maybe it is the coward coming out but as far as i can see at the moment none of the alternatives would suit me. i guess i am a "control freak".
more than thanking you for your comments; i'd like to thank you for your time in making them, i realise you all have better things to do with your time. all best wishes,
csupan
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May 31, 2005 16:14:06 GMT -5
Post by Faye on May 31, 2005 16:14:06 GMT -5
Hi Csupan! I could do with taking a couple of days off work to look through this site lol. We have the internet at work and heaven knows how many work hours have been used up visiting here! Every day I'm wondering how people are doing or if anyone new has posted with a problem similar to me hehehehe. Sorry for the quickie message but I have to nip out, should be back tomorrow. Hope you have a good nights sleep and are not in too much pain. Just remember though, now that you've made it here you're a step closer to that pain being gone Speak to you tomorrow! Faye
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May 31, 2005 16:28:39 GMT -5
Post by happy on May 31, 2005 16:28:39 GMT -5
Hi csupan, I too thought i would have to have all teeth removed because I thought they were passed saving! But according to the dentist I saw, i only need three extracted (for now I think anyway) but loads of fillings Once i get tomorrow over with i will hopefully tackle that step, again by having the fillings done under iv. You may be surprised too when you finally take that first step for the initial consultation. Even if you can manage to sit in another chair and explain your fears, or let him just take a look, you will come out of there feeling 10 feet tall just by taking that small step As I write this, I'm in agony again as the infection has come back so i really need to go through with it tomorrow. My dentist rang me today for a chat and to put my mind at rest, so hopefully with his help tomorrow I'll make it.
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May 31, 2005 16:33:49 GMT -5
Post by happy on May 31, 2005 16:33:49 GMT -5
csupan, Just wanted to apologise, I started out trying to support you in that last message but rambled on about whats happening to me..... sorry! (I' blame it on the diazepam I've taken to calm me tonight ) Will check in tomorrow afternoon hopefully.
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May 31, 2005 17:12:32 GMT -5
Post by csupan on May 31, 2005 17:12:32 GMT -5
good luck mate, but you won't need it, you are a very strong person Happy. Fortune favours the brave and you are very brave. buy a lottery ticket when you come out. sorry to be glib but you deserve to win the jackpot.
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May 31, 2005 17:51:35 GMT -5
Post by Mike on May 31, 2005 17:51:35 GMT -5
Hi csupan,
Firstly i would like to say that your post was very good and I am sure will strike a chord with many who read it.
I don't know what sort of stage you are at with things but I do know a couple of great dentists in London. I know both of them from my studies in Hypnosis. They are both excellent and I would go to either for my own treatment! I can tell you more about them if you would like. One is in North London, and one is in the East (i think). I do have a couple of patients from London who actually fly up to see me in Kilmarnock. (Glasgow Preswick Airport (Ryanair from Stansted) or Glasgow International (Eastjet from Luton) are both quite close by).
If you would like a chat about the dentists I know in London, I would be more than happy if you called me at work on 01563 521897. I often get phone calls at work from people across the UK looking for dentists and advice. Usually they call when I am with patients, but if they leave a message with the receptionist leaving their name, number and briefly why they are calling I will always call back.
If you prefer I could just email or post you the contact details.
I hope that this finds you well. Cheers, Mike
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Jun 5, 2005 13:45:37 GMT -5
Post by csupan on Jun 5, 2005 13:45:37 GMT -5
Mike, thanks for your reply and i'm sorry that i've taken so long to reply to your kind message. at the moment i don't feel i'm mentally strong enough to get in the chair but i have an appointment with my gp tomorrow so hopefully i will have the guts to ask for his recommendation. thank you also for leaving your contact number, it is heartening to have a supportive network here. all best regards csupan
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Jun 5, 2005 18:58:59 GMT -5
Post by letsconnect on Jun 5, 2005 18:58:59 GMT -5
If your GP doesn't have a very strong recommendation, please let Mike know. It's no hassle . Plus the recommendations you'll get will be extremely good.
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Jun 10, 2005 5:13:22 GMT -5
Post by csupan on Jun 10, 2005 5:13:22 GMT -5
my gp was singularly unhelpful, handed me a photocopied sheet of the local mental health centre. its understandable cos those guys do a terrific job with their vast range of expertise. anyway i have contacted the practice in north london and am awaiting reply...
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Jun 10, 2005 8:34:07 GMT -5
Post by letsconnect on Jun 10, 2005 8:34:07 GMT -5
my gp was singularly unhelpful, handed me a photocopied sheet of the local mental health centre. the mind boggles... anyway i have contacted the practice in north london and am awaiting reply... wow, that's great news ;D! Well done - that's such a huge step to take, you should feel really proud of yourself!! Thanx for letting us know!
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Jun 13, 2005 6:25:19 GMT -5
Post by happydancyfeet on Jun 13, 2005 6:25:19 GMT -5
hi csupan, congratulations on taking the first step Keep us informed with your progress and good luck
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Jun 13, 2005 6:31:17 GMT -5
Post by happydancyfeet on Jun 13, 2005 6:31:17 GMT -5
I've come to a standstill again.... havent been back for check up after extractions.. I know i'll need loads of fillings and need to find out if I can have them done a few at a time under iv sedation. Vicious (spelling) circle tho, my partner cant have time off from work at the moment to take me and i dont know anyone else around here (new to area). I know I need to take the next step.
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Jun 13, 2005 15:29:48 GMT -5
Post by keith on Jun 13, 2005 15:29:48 GMT -5
hey happydancyfeet,
i know my dentist when he doing my extractions in july he will also do some fillings same appointment as extractions and i will have sedations during that time too.
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Jul 1, 2005 18:40:33 GMT -5
Post by csupan on Jul 1, 2005 18:40:33 GMT -5
hi guys, sorry that i've been offline for so long. i still thank this site for giving me the guts to make some progress. latest info for myself is that i have an appointment with a lady who seems very, very helpful, nice and sympathetic. it is a strange feeling but i am actually looking forward to it.
i hope everyone here is well and happy; of all the cybercommunities i've known this is the most dignified.
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Jul 3, 2005 15:43:04 GMT -5
Post by gdentalfear on Jul 3, 2005 15:43:04 GMT -5
Glad to hear from you again, csupan. Great you made that appointment Let us know how it goes (and any questions in the meantime, feel free to post). G.
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Jul 12, 2005 1:16:05 GMT -5
Post by letsconnect on Jul 12, 2005 1:16:05 GMT -5
I don't know about dignified , but - that's fantastic news ;D!! Well done !!! Please let us know how you get on - and best of luck for your appointment !
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Jul 14, 2005 16:57:22 GMT -5
Post by csupan on Jul 14, 2005 16:57:22 GMT -5
thanks guys. am going tomorrow, 3 hours journey each way but it will be worth it.
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Jul 15, 2005 3:34:11 GMT -5
Post by letsconnect on Jul 15, 2005 3:34:11 GMT -5
Best of luck for today !! I hope you get on really well with her. Please let us know how it went
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Jul 15, 2005 17:36:11 GMT -5
Post by csupan on Jul 15, 2005 17:36:11 GMT -5
to be honest i feel a bit bewildered. it was a long day and i feel really tired and it was only talking. my emotional energy is zero but my faith in humanity is 100. there is a lot to think about (i spend far too much time thinking) but having taken a very small tiptoe i feel envigored. and i am so pleased to have done it.
but (i know i sound like a broken record) thank you for the resource of this board. without it i'd still be at square one.
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Jul 16, 2005 9:38:56 GMT -5
Post by letsconnect on Jul 16, 2005 9:38:56 GMT -5
to be honest i feel a bit bewildered. it was a long day and i feel really tired and it was only talking. my emotional energy is zero but my faith in humanity is 100. there is a lot to think about (i spend far too much time thinking) but having taken a very small tiptoe i feel envigored. and i am so pleased to have done it. I hope that means it went well ? Congratulations !
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Jul 16, 2005 16:01:40 GMT -5
Post by csupan on Jul 16, 2005 16:01:40 GMT -5
it did go well, thanks. but a lot to think about. nothing scary or desperate, more emotional and soul-searching. sorry my recent posts have been terse i feel that i owe the board so much more.
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