Dealing With Headaches

I think I’m writing this blog post. I’m not entirely sure. I’ve been up with upper jaw pain for hours and hours. Thankfully, because I researched and wrote this post, I was able to realize it was just clogged sinuses and not a toothache. I treated the pain with an over the counter sinus pill and putting a heat pad on my sore jaw. The jaw pain is much better now, but somehow (perhaps because of my lack of sleep) my Mom talked me into making an appointment with my dentist…who I haven’t seen for about a year and a half. Now I have a dentalwork headache.

Definition Redux

For me, a dentalwork headache is the headache you get whenever you think about going to the dentist. You can also get a dentalwork headache in the actual chair from the vibrations of the DRILL IN YOUR HEAD.

Can you tell I have a major phobia of dentists and doctors?

I know they are not out to get me (well, only about three or four of them are) and they can actually help me to feel better and to prevent illnesses and painful conditions, but I keep shaking at the thought of:

• The DRILL IN MY HEAD (even if I’m going to a doctor and not a dentist — I still think all doctors have a drill in their back pockets somewhere)
• The cost (perhaps I’m better off with the physical pain instead of the financial one?)
• The usual comments about my life expectancy — or lack thereof. I’m not sure why most of the doctors and specialists I’ve encountered like to inform me about when they think I’m going to die. Perhaps it’s like a carnival game to doctors. Or perhaps they really have a secret dream to work the “Guess Your Weight” booth at the state fair. Apparantly, I was suppossed to die three years ago. I’m not sure I should feel lucky or really annoyed.

My Headache Is In My Head?

Perhaps my extreme fear of dentists (or more precisely, their instruments of torture, such as the bill) is what is causing this visitation of the dentalwork headache. When anyone says the word “dentist”, my jaw clenches and I hold my breath. It’s instinctive. And worry can surely intensify any headache.

But I have to go to the darn dentist now — I made an appointment. It’s at the end of the month, so I have about two weeks to stew. Hopefully, I can come up with a plan to deal with my dentist phobia. Perhaps I could figure out how to overcome it so I can spread the information with the entire blogosphere, helping others overcome their fear of medical personnel (and medical bills) to get the help they need to lead less painful lives.

But I have a feeling I’ll just wind up being a weeping wreck like I was the last time I went to the dentist. At least my Mommy will be with me. I think I’ll bring a teddy bear, too. I’m sure the dentist won’t be shocked by seeing a 38 year old woman clutching her Mommy with one hand and a teddy bear in the other.

I am doomed…