"Kept pulling one side off every few minutes to check I wasn't missing something important (or scary, lol)."
I completely relate to this feeling. During my recent consultation for a potential bone graft, I thought noise-canceling headphones would help ease my anxiety too—but honestly, it made me feel even more disconnected and uneasy. It's like the silence amplified my worries rather than calming them down. I ended up asking the assistant to just play some soft instrumental music in the background instead, which surprisingly helped me stay grounded without losing touch with what was happening around me.
Finding the right surgeon is definitely stressful. I've been researching extensively, reading reviews, and asking around for personal recommendations. It’s reassuring to know others have been through similar experiences and managed to navigate their anxiety successfully. Wishing you all the best with your search as well—it's comforting to be reminded we're not alone in feeling this way.
Totally get what you're saying about noise-canceling headphones making things worse. I tried them once during a dental procedure, thinking they'd help me zone out, but nope...just made me hyper-aware of my own breathing and heartbeat, lol. Soft music or even ambient sounds like rain or waves seem to work better for me too. Good luck with your surgeon search—sounds like you're doing all the right things to find someone trustworthy.
I had a similar experience with noise-canceling headphones during an MRI scan. Thought they'd help me relax, but instead I ended up hyper-focusing on every little sound my body made...felt like my heartbeat was echoing through the whole machine, haha. Since then, I've stuck to mellow playlists or nature sounds—rainstorms seem to do the trick. Good luck finding your surgeon; taking your time and trusting your gut really pays off in these situations.
I completely relate to your MRI experience. I tried noise-canceling headphones once during a dental procedure, hoping they'd ease my anxiety, but instead I became hyper-aware of every tiny sound and sensation—definitely not relaxing. Now I prefer gentle instrumental music or ambient nature sounds as well. Regarding surgeons, you're right about trusting your instincts. I've found that thorough research and multiple consultations help ease my anxiety, especially since I'm working within a tight budget...it's worth the extra effort for peace of mind.
I've had similar experiences with headphones during dental procedures. Sometimes, trying to block sounds out just amplifies them somehow. Gentle music definitely helps, but I've also found that guided breathing exercises or mindfulness techniques can be surprisingly effective—especially when you're stuck in that chair for a while. And I completely agree about multiple consultations for surgery. Even if it feels tedious or time-consuming at first, having different perspectives really does help clarify things and ease anxiety...particularly when budget constraints are a factor.
