Diazepam - dentist appointment. How long before effects wear off?

deleted92499

Posted 14th Dec 2008

Hi,

Have a dentist appointment tomorrow morning. I am petrified of going to the dentist and have had IV sedation last time. Wasn't the 'cure-all' I had hoped for and as I'm only going in for a filling tomorrow I will try to be brave and just take some Diazepam tablets (10mg). Anyway, I'm rambling...I plan to take the tablets around 30 minutes before my treatment, (after driving). But how long does it take before it normally starts to wear off? I know everyone is different, but just wanted to have a rough idea. I plan to drive back, but will only do so after it has worn off. I will take 5mg now to see how it affects me (and to relax me enough to have a good night sleep). If I feel groggy for hours afterwards I know I will have to arrange for someone to pick me up after my appointment.

22 Comments

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15th Dec 2008
take the 10ml and have a few beers as well with it n youll be completely frazzled , wont remember a thing

probably wont even make it!

good luck!
14th Dec 2008
dont take anything-tell your dentist! if you are really afraid you need to see a specialist. I take my son to the local centre and they take special needs kids and she told me adults who are nervous. They are trained to deal with it. My little 6 year old had 5 fillings (he has weak teeth poor love) and never flinched.

You need to get someone who can deal with your problem for you.
14th Dec 2008
Wow, now thats a real phobia. Feel for you . . . . don't know about the effects of diazepam, you'll be good though :thumbsup:
14th Dec 2008
just to be on the safeside I would arrange for a lift home regardless......all the best for tommorrow beanz, I too have a phobia of dentists :thumbsup:
14th Dec 2008
louloo;3762619
dont take anything-tell your dentist! if you are really afraid you need … dont take anything-tell your dentist! if you are really afraid you need to see a specialist. I take my son to the local centre and they take special needs kids and she told me adults who are nervous. They are trained to deal with it. My little 6 year old had 5 fillings (he has weak teeth poor love) and never flinched. You need to get someone who can deal with your problem for you.

In Warrington? WHERE! i'm a scardy cat!!! Had a horrible experience in the dentists when i was young and its still deep rooted now! lol You ok hun? :-D
Author
14th Dec 2008
starsparkle2311;3762586
I understand your fear, but gee a filling is not that bad, I've only ever … I understand your fear, but gee a filling is not that bad, I've only ever had one mind you. Just remember dentists are trained professionals, they're there to help you not hurt you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You sound like my dentist. I have had 2 very bad experiences, which have turned my normal 'I don't like going to the dentist' fear into a phobia. I know imy fear isn't rational, but it's real to me.
14th Dec 2008
BEANZ-ON-TOAST;3762653
You sound like my dentist. I have had 2 very bad experiences, which have … You sound like my dentist. I have had 2 very bad experiences, which have turned my normal 'I don't like going to the dentist' fear into a phobia. I know imy fear isn't rational, but it's real to me.

When i was 8 i had to have 2 teeth extracted due to my top set being overcrowded, my dad had to hold my shoulders to the chair while the lady dentist had her FOOT on the chair for leverage to pull both teeth out, it hurt (jaw was bruised afterwards) and to be held down while it happened because my roots were deep - that confirmed my phobia!!!
14th Dec 2008
I was lmao at your tags on the post!!!!......hope everything goes fine for you hun!....i dont like dentists either but like the first post said...they are there not to hurt you!! You will be fine!
Author
14th Dec 2008
Thanks guys, you're really sweet. I will arrange a lift for tomorrow, just to be on the safe side. I'm sure it will be fine in the end. I have tried a special dentist ('nervous patients our speciality!'). But to be honest, it didn't really make a big difference So I'm just trying to get on with it. I so wish there was a nice dental phobia walk-in clinic where you could have your teeth done without appointments, when you're feeling particularly brave! It's the sitting in the waiting room I hate the most. That and being in the chair obviously. Thanks for listening, feel a bit better already.
14th Dec 2008
How quickly the drug is metabolised depends on the individual - however, should you intend to take this - you MUST inform your dentist you have - in case there are any contra indications to anything he administers to you himself.

I'd stay well clear of it - especially such a high dose - could take hours to leave you system and you can't drive on it.
14th Dec 2008
Ohhh Diaze I can advise on this after needing them for similar!!

OK in all seriousness 10mg is alot!!! i cannot drive on 5mg as i feel quite spaced and drunk like.
I find 2.5mg is sufficient for a trip to the dentist.. ( i dont need them now, i got drug free!)

2.5mg usually last a GOOD FEW HOURS in me and take bout 20mins to kick in. 5mg usually kicks in 10mins and im quite spaced! I have never ever had 10mg as i think it would put me to sleep!

TBH i would not drive .
14th Dec 2008
YES u have to tell your doc you have taken it!!

What i would do if i were u is get some rescue remedy !! my dentist advised it!
14th Dec 2008
I certainly would NOT take 10mg of Diazepam 30 minutes before - I use only 5mg if I've got insomnia - and wake up with a thick head

I had two fillings not so long ago without even a local anaesthetic - the dentist said 'trust me' the fillings won't be deep enough - and she was right
14th Dec 2008
if you have a phobia just sitting in the waiting room with that smell can make the whole experience a nightmare, irrational to many but a huge deal to some, me included and sorry but i disagree that fillings are easy.
Author
14th Dec 2008
OK, I will take your advice. I was told to take 10mg by a previous dentist. But I never actually took it then. I have taken 4mg half an hour ago as a test and to relax me. I think that dose may do the trick. It's taking the edge off a bit. I'm not too spaced out but don't feel the blind panic I felt before. So I think 10mg would indeed be too much.

ILIKEBARGAINSME...My dentist plans to do this filling without anaesthetic. He thinks I won't need one...part of me is glad but then I worry if will hurt all of a sudden! God I'm such a baby! Typing this and reading it back makes me want to slap myself!
14th Dec 2008
i take 2mg most days,dont feel it does anything for me,i wouldnt take 10mg though maybe take 5mg if they feel they help and deffinatly arrange a lift
good luck im the same at the dentist
Author
14th Dec 2008
bitseylango;3762960
if you have a phobia just sitting in the waiting room with that smell can … if you have a phobia just sitting in the waiting room with that smell can make the whole experience a nightmare, irrational to many but a huge deal to some, me included and sorry but i disagree that fillings are easy.

I have had 2 extractions, root canal treatment, and several fillings (mostly caused by me not going to the dentist in time...). I agree, fillings are not easy (not for me anyway). I'm OK with normal check-ups. And I don't mind them cleaning my teeth. But I HATE it when they start tapping and poking with that metal hook. They've hit a nerve too many times, it's the nerve pain I am dreading most. But I need to have this filling done as I don't want to go back to the way I was before. I only ever went to the dentist when I was in agony. I don't want another abcess and then have to have the tooth out. Time to be brave!
14th Dec 2008
BEANZ-ON-TOAST;3763059
I have had 2 extractions, root canal treatment, and several fillings … I have had 2 extractions, root canal treatment, and several fillings (mostly caused by me not going to the dentist in time...). I agree, fillings are not easy (not for me anyway). I'm OK with normal check-ups. And I don't mind them cleaning my teeth. But I HATE it when they start tapping and poking with that metal hook. They've hit a nerve too many times, it's the nerve pain I am dreading most. But I need to have this filling done as I don't want to go back to the way I was before. I only ever went to the dentist when I was in agony. I don't want another abcess and then have to have the tooth out. Time to be brave!

I have had just about every treatment going, partly due to not visiting the dentist when younger and partly due to the effects my pregnancies have had on my teeth.
I have been going regularly every 6 months since the birth of my eldest 19 years ago but it never gets any easier for me. I hardly sleep the night before and have to take the OH wth me whenever i need actual treatment and I have never had a filling without injections for the past 5 years as I would just point blank refuse :oops:
some would call this fear extreme but no amount of coaxing or cajoling will ever change it!
Again all the best for tomorrow........we both know you will be fine :thumbsup:
14th Dec 2008
mbgringo;3762645
In Warrington? WHERE! i'm a scardy cat!!! Had a horrible experience in … In Warrington? WHERE! i'm a scardy cat!!! Had a horrible experience in the dentists when i was young and its still deep rooted now! lol You ok hun? :-D

im fab thanks! How are you?

Garven place. Its great really-i asked how they were so good and the dentist told me they deal with nervous patients too. I have seen adults in the waiting room. I think the dentist he had the treatment with was Sarah Davies and she was lovely:thumbsup:
14th Dec 2008
BEANZ-ON-TOAST;3762990
OK, I will take your advice. I was told to take 10mg by a previous … OK, I will take your advice. I was told to take 10mg by a previous dentist. But I never actually took it then. I have taken 4mg half an hour ago as a test and to relax me. I think that dose may do the trick. It's taking the edge off a bit. I'm not too spaced out but don't feel the blind panic I felt before. So I think 10mg would indeed be too much. ILIKEBARGAINSME...My dentist plans to do this filling without anaesthetic. He thinks I won't need one...part of me is glad but then I worry if will hurt all of a sudden! God I'm such a baby! Typing this and reading it back makes me want to slap myself!

i had all my fillinga without anaesthetic-tbh the needle was worse than the filling! my dentist arranged i squeezed his arm if i felt anything and he would stop. You need to trust your dentist or get another.
15th Dec 2008
Would question what sort of dentist prescribes 10mg of Diazepam (Valium) for dental fear. Normal dose would be 2mg.

Dentist should also have advised you not to drive, no matter how you are feeling. Your car insurance is invalid for a start and dentist should have advised you about this.

Nobody should be on this drug for more than a few weeks. If you are on it more than a few months, then withdrawl from it can be severe.
15th Dec 2008
casparwhite;3765670
take the 10ml and have a few beers as well with it n youll be completely … take the 10ml and have a few beers as well with it n youll be completely frazzled , wont remember a thingprobably wont even make it!good luck!

:lol: