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(very) bad gag reflex

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  • 19-04-2015 8:01pm
    #1
    regedit
    Registered Users Posts: 861 ✭✭✭


    I never suffered from a gag reflex and going to the dentist was never much of a concern to me. If a procedure of filling was sore, I would simply ask for anaesthetic and no problem. Some 5-7 years ago, roughly at the same time out of the blue I developed fear of heights, I developed a gag reflex. It's not only in my head as my dentist likes to put it. What makes it even worse is that I have a postnasal drip so breathing through my nose when supine makes any procedure difficult.
    Does anyone have any suggestions? I went to see my dentist just before Christmas for a routine check and she asked me to make an appointment after Christmas as I had a tooth requiring a filling... I've been putting it off ever since


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    #2
    ballsymchugh
    Registered Users Posts: 7,936 ✭✭✭ballsymchugh


    try hypnotism. i had a few patients in the UK that had brutal gag reflexes who eventually tried hypnotism. worked extremely well. you're basically just trained to focus as much as you can on something else. one of them had to continually tap her hand throughout the procedure.


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    #3
    btkm8unsl0w5r4
    Closed Accounts Posts: 9,538 ✭✭✭btkm8unsl0w5r4


    Excellent advice Ballsy.
    OP a hyperactive gag reflex is pretty common. However it can be overcome through concentration and practice. Remember the dentist or the dental materials are not touching any part of your mouth that food does not touch every time you eat. There are a number of tricks dentists can use to help you. After that hypnotism and practice stimulating and suppressing the reflex helps a lot. There are sedatives that will completely remove the reflex however often these are not practical.

    If you have the positive mental attitude and will to overcome this issue it is totally doable.


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    #4
    AnnaStezia
    Registered Users Posts: 289 ✭✭AnnaStezia


    Slightly off point perhaps. Considering all symptoms that you mentioned is there any chance that you have an ENT problem ? Might be worth talking to your GP if this is a big enough worry.


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    #5
    regedit
    Registered Users Posts: 861 ✭✭✭regedit


    AnnaStezia wrote: »
    Slightly off point perhaps. Considering all symptoms that you mentioned is there any chance that you have an ENT problem ? Might be worth talking to your GP if this is a big enough worry.
    Postnasal drip is an ENT problem. I've seen an ENT consultant about it. It's not a worry TBH.
    One may hypothesize that fear of heights may be due to issues with the vestibular system but I doont see (trying to look at it from a holistic point) how this could affect he gag.

    OP: tried hypnosis for acrophobia. 250 Euro down the drain... However, gag reflex is probably an easier thing to fix so will consider it.

    Speaking about sedatives, is there anything a dentist can use (rather than having to travel to 1-2 in Dublin who are familiar with sedation for dental work)


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    #6
    Oral Surgeon
    Registered Users Posts: 3,240 ✭✭✭Oral Surgeon


    regedit wrote: »
    Postnasal drip is an ENT problem. I've seen an ENT consultant about it. It's not a worry TBH.
    One may hypothesize that fear of heights may be due to issues with the vestibular system but I doont see (trying to look at it from a holistic point) how this could affect he gag.

    OP: tried hypnosis for acrophobia. 250 Euro down the drain... However, gag reflex is probably an easier thing to fix so will consider it.

    Speaking about sedatives, is there anything a dentist can use (rather than having to travel to 1-2 in Dublin who are familiar with sedation for dental work)

    Iv sedation is a very effective way to treat patients with a bad gag reflex.
    It is usually best suited to surgical work but can be used to aid general work if necessary. Ideally you would try to tackle the gag and then you can go forward without needing sedation every time you need treatment but some patients really need the sedation and have no other option....
    In these cases, it is best to try to do as much treatment as possible in as few sedation a sessions as possible... Not all operators are comfortable or able to do this...


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    #7
    poeticjustice
    Registered Users Posts: 159 ✭✭poeticjustice


    Hi OP,

    Is the gag reflex worse in the morning? I had bad post nasal drip and it made me gag, especially every morning. Mucus can stick in your throat and it's a horrible feeling.

    And when you say fear of heights, is it a dizziness or vertigo kind of feeling you get? Or is it different? Dizziness can be caused by problems with inner ear, again maybe due to sinus problems if they are blocked. Just an idea


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    #8
    regedit
    Registered Users Posts: 861 ✭✭✭regedit


    poeticjustice wrote: »
    Hi OP,

    Is the gag reflex worse in the morning? I had bad post nasal drip and it made me gag, especially every morning. Mucus can stick in your throat and it's a horrible feeling.

    And when you say fear of heights, is it a dizziness or vertigo kind of feeling you get? Or is it different? Dizziness can be caused by problems with inner ear, again maybe due to sinus problems if they are blocked. Just an idea

    Thanks for your comments.
    My sinuses are fine. At least that is what I was told. The postnasal drip probably caused by a-yet to be identified allergen.
    The gag is the same throughout the day (even though one may expect that it is lower in the morning).
    Difficult to describe the fear of heights TBH. Probably a fear of falling, losing control etc.


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    #9
    poeticjustice
    Registered Users Posts: 159 ✭✭poeticjustice


    regedit wrote: »
    Thanks for your comments.
    My sinuses are fine. At least that is what I was told. The postnasal drip probably caused by a-yet to be identified allergen.
    The gag is the same throughout the day (even though one may expect that it is lower in the morning).
    Difficult to describe the fear of heights TBH. Probably a fear of falling, losing control etc.

    Hmm, it's a strange one, especially the fear of heights.

    I went to lots of doctors about my problem and no one could figure it out. A lot were saying it was just in my head which really annoyed me. Went on for years. Eventually I got tested for food allergies and I stopped eating dairy and eggs. I also was on the candida diet which definitely helped but most doctors don't believe in it. One of them cleared up my problem, don't know which for sure. And might have nothing to do with your problem at all.


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    #10
    SM35
    Registered Users Posts: 237 ✭✭SM35


    Hi OP

    Relative Analgesia or "Happy Gas" which is a combination of Oxygen and Nitrous Oxide Sedation is an effective technique to reduce gag reflex. It also has the advantage to the patient of a very quick recovery (3 to 5 minutes) and as such you do not need to have an escort with you to bring you home. Something to consider.


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    #11
    regedit
    Registered Users Posts: 861 ✭✭✭regedit


    SM35 wrote: »
    Hi OP

    Relative Analgesia or "Happy Gas" which is a combination of Oxygen and Nitrous Oxide Sedation is an effective technique to reduce gag reflex. It also has the advantage to the patient of a very quick recovery (3 to 5 minutes) and as such you do not need to have an escort with you to bring you home. Something to consider.

    Thanks SM35.
    I am assuming that nitrous oxide is not widely available outside Dublin. I am in Kildare and dentist is OK but I am sure she doesn't have the happy gas. Found the other day that snore relief sprays seem to be very effective


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