Sexual Assault Going Under To Get My Wisdom Teeth Taken Out, Worried I Will Have An Episode From The Drugs. Help?

[racheldiane]

I was drugged with a ketamine-like research chemical when I was raped, and I know that sometimes they use ketamine to put you under for the procedure. Even if they didn't, I'm still worried about whatever drug they use giving me an episode. They said they could instead give me laughing gas and a general anesthetic for it, but I'm worried about hearing/feeling them take it out. Does anyone else have experience with needing to be put out for a medical procedure and could tell me what to expect? If you've been put on anesthesia for a medical procedure after being date-raped could you tell me about your experience? Is it even possible to have an episode when they knock you out? I've heard that sometimes you are still partially conscious for the procedure, even with IV administration. If this is the case I really really do not want to use the anesthesia (I was partially conscious when I was raped and I'm almost certain that going in-and-out of consciousness like that again would do something bad to my psyche). I will probably talk to my dentist about this and see what he thinks, but I want to get the opinion of other people too.

 

[anthony]

Sorry, can't be any real help, as I had mine removed in the chair with just a needle for each tooth.

I imagine it would be quite hard for you though being drugged for medical procedures when your trauma was also founded on being drugged.

I think one thing you have to remember though... is that you have to have some level of trust in a treating physician versus being drugged and raped. Unless a doctor drugged and raped you when having a procedure???

 

[StarChild]

Hi @luckkbealady and welcome to the forum. And I second what anthony wrote, especially:

that you have to have some level of trust in a treating physician

Because, that was also the first thought that came to my mind when reading your post. It is very unusual in my country, to administer something else than a local anaesthetic in dental / jaw surgery. And if done right, you won't feel any pain. I had 2 of my wisdom teeth extracted by pulling them out, the other 2 had to be extracted by a small surgery. I also had 2 times a root canal treatment and even a root amputation with only some local anaesthesia. They had to use a dental drill, to mill off the bone that surrounded the tooth or its roots. And despite my PTSD, it all went very well! Maybe you can take an iPod or something similar with a headset with you?

Try to get yourself distracted from your worries about what might happen. The more trustful and relaxed you are, the less is your inner and bodily tension. Do you know this dentist, and do you have trust in him? And yes, if I were you, I would definitely talk to your dentist. Maybe a mild benzodiazepine taken on the day of the treatment and about one hour before the actual treatment could be of good help?

 

[GWhizz]

As a surgical nurse I have to stress to you that a general anesthetic should and does in 99.99999999...% of cases fully knock you out so that you are asleep and will not see or feel anything during that time. It has rarely been reported for it not to work and even in such rare rare events, the anesthesist usually notices before the patient would be conscious of it, and tops up the sedation. I have never seen or met anyone who reported it not working fully.

I have had one myself and also conscious sedation and neither do I recall any of. Though I don't have experience with date-rape drugs per se, I was somewhat drugged with alcohol etc as a child, but because of that, I do not remember much of the sexual abuse from that time.

Would you consider a local anesthetic like Anthony mentioned? It would still numb you fully and at least you'd be awake and unsedated so you are fully in control mentally.

 

[Friday]

I freak the heck out coming out from under sedation. No memories of it usually (lots of evidence) but it's very very bad. Because I know this about myself I talk to both anesthesia & the recovery team ahead of time and have the postOp / recovery peeps put me in full restraints while I'm still under so I don't hurt anyone (or undo the work done). And I also stay in recovery a lot longer than most people. I need to have full cognitive function (be able to drive myself home level of cogntition) before I'm wheeled out to my cab or car. Oftentimes I can still do outpatient procedures if they're done early, but sometimes it means needing to stay overnight. The orthopedic surgical center I go to is pretty used to people like me, lots of prior military and current athletes/ cops/ fire (control freaks with training, physical jobs = crap joints). So they appreciate the heads up. When I first talked with them they asked if it would be useful to me to have a social worker on standby (it's not, for me), so that may be another option to look into, as well. Instant-counseling if needed.

More than likely, though... You'll be just fine. Murphy's law. If you plan for the worst, it doesn't happen.

 

[NovemberStar]

With wisdom teeth removal it depends on how deep the roots are and / or compacted the tooth / teeth are with regards to needing full blown surgery or just having it done under local.

I've had a general anaesthetic before - it's not like 'being drugged' in that one second you're awake, the next you're coming out of it. You are not aware at all of anything that happens nor will you see or hear anything until you wake up.

HOWEVER - coming out of it, you might feel a bit sedated / out of control or like you're not 'grounded'. It might pay if y can ask for a support person to sit with you while you're in recovery post GA. Someone who can work with you to just genlty remind you you're safe, and explain what happened (ie you had your teeth out and all is ok).

Will it make a difference if the dentist is male or female? Will you have met them before the OP?

 

[JEKBreatheandBelieve]

The last time I was put under anesthesia, this was before my PTSD really came out, but some part of me did react. The room was filled with doctors and nurses and students so I was a bit overwhelmed. When the anesthesiologist put the mask over me, I flipped out (in my mind) and tried to reach for it, but before I could do that, I was out. I haven't had any problems coming out of the anesthesia, but I like the recommendations from the people above of talking to the doctor or bringing a support person in case that is where you have difficulty. Good luck with everything.

 

[ghotiff]

A support person would be the solution for me. Someone whose judgement I trust makes all the difference.

 

[Aqua11]

I don't have a good answer for you, but just wanted to say I can definitely understand your concerns. I was date raped and it took me months before I was ready to think about trying any kind of medication to help me with my PTSD symptoms. I still hate being on drugs, but the alternative is also not good. It's all about control for me, and I have to continually remind myself that I am the one who is choosing to take the drugs. I haven't "gone under" for any kind of surgery or anything since my PTSD started, but I have gone to the dentist for a cleaning and my breathing issues definitely kicked up to the point where the hygienist asked me what was going on. I do think talking to your dentist and having support is key.

 

[Lucycat]

It sounds to me like you are confused by the terms. Yes Ketamine is sometimes used for sedation during unpleasant procedures. However if you have been offered a General Anaesthetic (GA) that is not simply Ketamine, but far stronger agents. Here in the UK , a GA can only be given in a hospital where there is a qualified anaesthetist present. They used to give GAs in dental surgeries but that policy was changed many years ago. I had my wisdom teeth surgically extracted under a GA in a hospital.

The term sedation is often used for medication that sedates - ie makes you feel sleepy and relaxed, but not necessarily fully asleep. Under sedation you can feel like a zombie and out of control. If you have no worries then it usually works well. For you, as somebody who is anxious about the whole thing in the beginning, and a history of being raped while under the effects of a drug, then I would suggest that sedation is not appropriate, but a full GA would be preferable. As @GWhizz says, it is effective nearly every time. You wake up and it is all done and feels like you have only been asleep for a second. You do not float in and out of consciousness - you go to sleep in a flash and wake up afterwards.

As I said I had a GA for my wisdom teeth. I have also had sedation for another unpleasant (non-dental) procedure. I did not like the experience one bit and would certainly opt for a GA next time, given the chance.

 

[NovemberStar]

@Lucycat - I don't think she was saying it will be ketamine that will be used - just that that was the drug used in the rape.

How are you doing, @luckkbealady?

I was thinking some more and I word were if a second opinion about your teeth might be useful? I remembered that the first dentist I saw for my wisdom teeth pain said I'd need a GA and all my teeth taken out. I couldn't afford the $2,000 I was quoted so did nothing further. The pain subsided and it wasn't for several more years I needed to do dose they about it; and in that case I was able to have ONE tooth pulled under local anaesthetic. Just wondering if a second opinion might offer you alternatives?

I haven't had ketamine - but I've seen it given (in a medical setting). It has truly awful side effects - hallucinations, and a very very 'bad trip'. I want to reassure you that the experience of a GA is very different - yes, sometimes people feel a bit out of it coming out of it, a 'I don't know where I am or want happened' feeling BUT nothing like ketamine - very few (if any) people would hallucinate.

 

[Lucycat]

and I know that sometimes they use ketamine to put you under for the procedure

I think she was suggesting that it might be used - and I know that it is sometimes.

 

[rainbow1]

I know this may sound like a stupid question. But, do you actually need your wisdom teeth removed? The reason I ask is that I know in the US they tend to want to take them out regardless of whether they are actually causing you problems. In the UK they only tend to remove them if they are causing problems or are growing in at such an angle as to be likely to be an issue.

I had mine out last year and had conscious sedation - they used a drug called midazolam which has a sedative effect but also causes amnesia. So I remember nothing of the procedure. However, I was absolutely petrified of that amnesia feeling and only went ahead because I trust my dentist absolutely and feel completely safe with him. I do remember little snippets and those memories initially freaked me out as they felt a little like flashbacks.

There is a very good forum online that deals with dental phobias and they have dentists from all over the world that can also answer questions from members. I realise you aren't saying you have a phobia but there were a number of members on there when I joined that had been through abuse or rape so there is a good understanding there of how those issues affect dental procedures. If you would like the name of the forum I can always send it to you by PM.