To valium, or not to valium

In pennance for having splurged on an expensive new car over the weekend, I am trying to get my medical ducks in a row this week and make not at all fun appointments for things like the annual trip to the gyno (that's Thurs.) and the dentist (tomorrow). And as you may recall from last year, my involvement with the dentist has heretofore been unpleasant and required copious amounts of nitrous and then finally valium. Just thinking about going tomorrow has me anxious and worrying, and I'm sure that sensation will increase throughout today and tonight.

And yet, I still have 8 valium at home that the dentist prescribed me last year. I could easily take one and be relaxed and hopefully not psychotic for tomorrow's appointment. Unfortunately, however, I do not have someone to drive me to and from the appointment like I did before and I would really hate to wreck my new car because I take a pill that actually works this time (unlike the MRI when I took it, and had someone to drive me, but then it had absolutely zero effect on my overwhelming terror.)

So...do I take it and take the risk? Do I not take it and suffer through the appointment with tears and clenched fists and mental promises to never go back? Do I take the pill and take a cab and cost myself $40?

I can't decide how to get through this. All advice welcome. And yes, I'm a total sissy who hates going to the dentist so much that I cry, and nothing you say will change that. Whatever.