Is America mentally ill?

[mistermack]

If you have a few spare...?

My favourite drug. Just as well I don't have access or Id be a frenzied addict!

I'd be highly tempted by valium, if it was any good.

Only for going to the dentist. I dread it. Not from fear of the drill or needle, but mainly unreasoning panic attacks when anything goes near the back of my throat.

I retch a few times, but don't bring anything up. Not yet, anyway.

[NineBerry]

Only for going to the dentist. I dread it. Not from fear of the drill or needle, but mainly unreasoning panic attacks when anything goes near the back of my throat.
I retch a few times, but don't bring anything up. Not yet, anyway.

I have the same problem. You need to find a dentist who can manage this. I have found one who has no problems. Removing plaque and doing deep cleaning works without problems when the person knows you are sensitive and avoids touching the upper parts of the tongue and places the instruments so that they do not come too close to the throat.

[mistermack]

Only for going to the dentist. I dread it. Not from fear of the drill or needle, but mainly unreasoning panic attacks when anything goes near the back of my throat.
I retch a few times, but don't bring anything up. Not yet, anyway.

I have the same problem. You need to find a dentist who can manage this. I have found one who has no problems. Removing plaque and doing deep cleaning works without problems when the person knows you are sensitive and avoids touching the upper parts of the tongue and places the instruments so that they do not come too close to the throat.

My dentist is actually pretty good. He's happy to have my head up higher, and can do most stuff without touching the back of the throat. The bad bit for me, last time, was when he has to take an impression with that quick-setting stuff. That takes a few minutes to set, and I find it really hard not to rip it out.
I gagged a couple of times, but got through it. I hate it though. Panic attacks are not rational, so you can't defeat them with cool logic.
A bit of valium might do the trick. I've never used it so I don't know.

[NineBerry]

Yeah, taking an impression will not work for me, either. Luckily, usually not necessary. What also does not work is making an X-Ray when this involved placing something in the mouth.

[JimC]

Yeah, taking an impression will not work for me, either. Luckily, usually not necessary. What also does not work is making an X-Ray when this involved placing something in the mouth.

Yes, for both the impression thing and holding the X-ray plate in place I get a little tendency to gag - not as bad as you two blokes by the sound of it, but I do know what you mean.

[Brian Peacock]

Never put anything in your mouth that hasn't been boiled for 20 minutes.

[JimC]

Ouch!

[pErvinalia]

I feel sorry for Nineberry's boyfriend...