The Numb Factor

I had a dentist appointment this morning to have two - yes, two - crowns permanently affixed. One was the crown for my implant. The other was a crown for a root canal. I had been experiencing a little sensitivity and my dentist, not one to believe in pain, is liberal with the meds and the needle. However, I did not want to be numb for five hours. So, I opted for not numbing and for the pain.

Let me just say - there is a reason for the anesthetic. It's called pain. Withstanding pain is draining. My entire body was clenched for a solid hour. At the end, I was shivering from exhaustion.

It is now an hour later. I am not numb. I am still tired. But - I am not NUMB.

Why is this such a big deal? Whenever I am shot with novacaine, I am numb for hours. As part of that, I feel really out of it - like sort of drunk. I am just now recovering from a week long head cold that had my temples pounding. I am way behind at work. There was no way I could lose half a day to being completely whacked out by it.

So, an hour later, I am sort of glad and proud that I did it. Exhausted, proud and productive (well, except for this post).