bad reaction to epinephrine (novocaine) at dentist? (effects, Novacaine, mouth)

[texdav]

Originally Posted by TKramar

I wouldn't go to a dentist if he didn't use nitrous.

Many have a very bad reaction to that and now many dentist will not give it to new patients at all.We had a young man die from it in a dentist offfice last year here.

[belovenow]

Originally Posted by DreamWeavin

thanks for the information; my daughter had it happen when she had moles removed at the dr's office too!! weird eh?
Solution though??

Honestly, I haven't found a good solution. For my latest dental appointment to get a small filling replaced, the dentist and I decided not to do any anesthetic. I was fine and actually the nice part was that I didn't feel funky afterward and could go to work at my retail business without any ill effect.

The medical community concensus is the following: You likely have an allergy to Bisulfite - hypersensitive reaction to certain antioxidant substances, such as the preservatives sodium metabisulfite, acetone sodium bisulfite, and sodium or potassium bisulfite, which are used in local anesthetics containing vasoconstrictors. Persons allergic to bisulfites should avoid all local anesthetics that contain vasoconstrictors.

Here's a report to send to your dentiss/doctors or perhaps to obtain and read for yourself (I'll admit, I haven't done this yet, but will shortly): MD Consult -- Start Session Cookie Error
additionally as supplemental reading:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2706960?ordinalpos=1&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.P ubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_DiscoveryPanel.Pu bmed_Discovery_RA&linkpos=1&log$=relatedarticles&l ogdbfrom=pubmed

Alright, I hope this helps.

[triplets108]

Update to my original message: Had to have a tooth pulled last week, had several shots of carbocaine, that does not have the EPI, I did get numb but I could feel the tooth being wiggled and some pain, so
dentist took needle with the carb to an area where the decay was and it worked. the carbo shots do
not last but a very short time. Finally, getting the cap put on in a few weeks, 4mos after my episode.
Also, my primary care doctor didn't have a clue about my reaction, only my BP.

[kilauea]

I had a reaction to epinephrine a few days ago at the dentist getting a filling. It caused my heart rate to increase, panic, light headedness and then I passed out and went fully unconscious - all before they ever started on the filling. I'm not sure how long I was out. When I came to the dentist and the dental assistant both looked extremely panicked.

And they should have looked pretty damn panicked - I specified in my initial documentation that I have a reaction to epinephrine. But they used it anyway. The first time it happened I was also getting a filling at a different dental office. They managed to finish the filling, but when I was at the counter to setup my next appointment I passed out, fell down and my head left a hole in their wall. Glad it was drywall.

You can be sure from now on I'm going to have to go beyond just filling out forms and talk to the dentist at every procedure. Maybe I'll wear a sign.

[triplets108]

Yes, I remind the dentist with each visit. Been to several appointments
since my episode last summer. He uses carbocaine now on me. I had a tooth pulled and now finishing another root canal. The carbocaine takes longer to wear off but it sure beats almost dying.

[TamSou]

I completely understand, it is really nice to see other people who have experienced the same thing as me.

When I went to the dentist, which unfortunately was a lot when i was younger, sometimes I would get really anxious and my heart would start pumping REALLY hard and fast, I had no idea why and what this was, and I did not have any tips of help from my previous dentist.

My most recent dentist that I go to, I explained to him what happens when I get Novocaine, my hands get sweaty, my heart pounds fast and hard and I feel an overwhelming sence of doom, and it puts me into a complete anxiety attack. So, after explaining this I stated that I wanted to try and do the cavity with out using Novocaine. He was then nice enough to explain to me that that was caused by the epinephrine in the Novocaine, that they put that in there to make it last longer and they have a novicaine with out it.

Since then I do not have to dread getting Novicaine, and my experience is MUCH better. I wish I knew this sooner!

[belovenow]

I have an update - I ended up having a very old and deep filling replaced and my dentist used MepivicaineHCL 3% Plain - and it worked perfectly. He was able to have it overnighted to his place in time for my appointment.

[Flamingo13]

I'm glad things worked out for those that have dentists that are sensitive. My personal dentist is, but I did need a root canal previously and even though he KNEW I said no epi. he did, I thought I was going to have a heart attack. I'm currently holding off on a tooth or two because of that reason, the guy my dentist sends me to apparently decides to ignore my wishes

I liked this guy, he did a previous root canal, it takes them more injections of whatever doesn't contain epi. but now I'm scared after the last one when he DECIDED that it was okay

Editing because it totally is gone from my head w/o looking at the card, what the root canal specialist is called.

[belovenow]

Originally Posted by Flamingo13

I'm glad things worked out for those that have dentists that are sensitive. My personal dentist is, but I did need a root canal previously and even though he KNEW I said no epi. he did, I thought I was going to have a heart attack. I'm currently holding off on a tooth or two because of that reason, the guy my dentist sends me to apparently decides to ignore my wishes

I liked this guy, he did a previous root canal, it takes them more injections of whatever doesn't contain epi. but now I'm scared after the last one when he DECIDED that it was okay

Editing because it totally is gone from my head w/o looking at the card, what the root canal specialist is called.

I want to clarify something that seems to be "getting missed" throughout this thread. Allergy to Epinephrine is so darned rare it hardly exists in the gene pool. We all produce adrenaline (aka Epinephrine) in our bodies. The allergy experience 99.99% of the people of this thread have is specifically related to the preservatives commonly used in injections containing Epinephrine (metabisulfite and bisulfite). Allergies to those are much more common. Even some Epinephrine-free injections contain these preservatives so be careful to mention specifically these two ingredients to the nurses/doctors you interact with.

I wish I had someone point this out to me years ago as I had reaction after reaction at the dentist and dermatologist until I took things into my own hands and did my own research on the subject.

[CAfromCA]

I just came back from the dentist. I only get work done about once a year and always blamed my reaction on something else. I really don't think I should take something that gives me heart palpitations, chest constriction/breathing problems and almost a panic feeling. I asked them today because it was really bothering me and I heard the word epinephrine. Seems ridiculous to use such a powerful drug on people over 50 with potential heart problems. When I commented they said, "Well did you tell us you have problems?" Dentists are not physicians and I don't see why they need this in their arsenal.