HELP - ANXIETY WITH NOVACAINE SHOTS @ DENTIST (EPINEPHRINE)

Draco Vulgaris · Post by **Draco Vulgaris** » Sat Nov 01, 2008 2:10 pm

Originally posted by shilohclaire:
I have a true dilemma, and need some help from people who have anxiety like me. I have been having some dental work done lately, and noticed last weekend, after MANY novacaine injections that I was having waves of panicky feelings, heart palpitations, shaking hands, hot flashes, etc. It seemed to come on only after each novacaine injection.

I went home and googled this because it just wasn't sitting with me. I found that novacaine has epinephrine (adrenaline!!) in it, and can cause all of these anxiety-like symptoms. I don't know about you guys, but I personally am not one that would normally sign up to feel even more anxiety than I feel on a regular basis.

I still need to have more dental work done, but am now scared! I even took 0.5mg of Klonopin before I went to the dentist the other day. I talked to my dentist yesterday and he acknowledged this adrenaline issue, but said that not having that ingredient in the novacaine would make the numbing wear off in 5 minutes or so.

What would any of you do? I'm brave, and Lord knows, we're all so strong to go through this, but I really am freaked out now. I don't drink caffeine at all, don't take cold or allergy meds due to epinephrine either. My doctor talked to me like I'm nuts, and now I'm feeling so terrible.

Help, please!

I suffered for many years before I learned this!

Ask your dentist to use an anesthetic WITHOUT epinephrine! It's that simple. It's routine for people who have had heart attacks, have angina pectoris, etc.

Some people seem to be extra sensitive to the epinephrine and their blood vessels clamp down before the anesthetic gets to where it needs to be.

I do not recommend this if you are having an extraction done or other oral surgery! In this case, the epinephrine helps control the bleeding. Ask for nitrous oxide (gas).

It takes effect almost instantly and puts you far out in left field; it's likely that you will not even be aware that you are being worked on! Not all dentists are willing to do this. If yours won't, ask him to recommend someone who will!

cuttingirl · Post by **cuttingirl** » Sun Nov 02, 2008 8:24 am

If your dentist is not sensitive to you, then get another one. There are so many out there why should you put yourself through this. I also react very strongly to the epi, heart rate and blood pressure shoot up instantly, instant bad headache, shaking, hot flash. In the past I've been prescribed something to take beforehand. Good luck!

annabellenew · Post by **annabellenew** » Thu Nov 06, 2008 9:24 am

I worked in dentistry for over 20 years and there is absolutely no excuse for your Dentist's attitude. I would find another. You probably wouldn't believe how common dental anxiety is and any good Dr. will be sensitive to that. Nitrous Oxide (laughing gas) is also something you may want to consider. I wish you the best.

newrunner · Post by **newrunner** » Fri Nov 07, 2008 10:15 am

Hello-

this also happened to me twice-- I told the dentist about it and they used novacaine without the epinephrine in it. It was FINE! And now if I have the novacaine with the epi. it doesn't affect me in that way-- as my body is at a much calmer steady state than it used to be.

Dental work, smental work. It will be over in a flash, you will have beautiful, non-painful teeth and you will have perservered thru and have earned yourself a gold star.

You deserve the best treatment- I agree with others about getting a more compassionate provider.

Diane in New York · Post by **Diane in New York** » Mon Mar 16, 2009 3:22 pm

Ask for Carbacaine...it's Novocaine WITHOUT the epinephrine. I use it and it's fantastic-NO SIDE EFFECTS!

2stressed · Post by **2stressed** » Sat Mar 21, 2009 3:37 pm

i now exactly what your going through buy the sounds of your post i think mine is alot worse
i jumped up ran outside and thought i was gonna die and talked to my rude dentist also she said theres was a numbing med without epiniphine,also imvery sensitive to dopamine,serotonin,stimulants,ephedrine type drugs also the problems is useually in your endocrine system with adrenalglands,pituitary disorders i have been dealing with this for along time still to this day doctors dont listen and think your nuts it really sucks,get a new dentists he is a asshole he should of took your pulse,blood pressure,and so on.

shiner · Post by **shiner** » Thu Mar 26, 2009 10:22 am

I just wanted to reply to this one because I freaked out at the dentist last year. My dentist was very understanding and they have on my chart now that I am to receive the novocaine without epinephrine. I went last week and I was nervous because when they used the novocaine with epi I had palpitations, and I had a really, really bad panic attack. My 5-year-old son was there to watch and I remained as calm as possible but told them that I needed to sit up and they told me after 5 minutes of the epinephrine going through I will be just fine. they let me sit up and that really seemed to help. Needles to say, after they did the Novocaine without epi, I did awesome and I did need feel my heart flutter or race into the 130s/140s like last time. Ask for that. I hope that helps.

larry5010 · Post by **larry5010** » Wed Jun 03, 2009 12:17 pm

Hi - I am new to this "anxiety reduction community" and want to say it helped me tremendously since my visit to the dentist yesterday where I got a novocaine shot (I have had many throughout my life with no problems), the first since my panic attacks began in 2006. Once I got the shot the whole routine started (I call it wrestling with the devil)..usually I can drive it away but this time couldn't....racing heart, pale, sweaty, felt like I might swallow my tongue, not able to swallow, etc. Needless to say no crown that day and I had an atavan with me which, as usual, did the trick. All the comments, especially newrunner and diane's very helpful as I plot my return to the dentist's chair.

newrunner · Post by **newrunner** » Wed Jun 03, 2009 3:41 pm

Hi Larry-

I think part of my issue with a dentist visit is just having to sit there with nothing to do but imagine what the heck they are doing in there that could take so long and be so loud. My dentist has a flat screen TV that I can watch a movie or a concert on with earphones. Or maybe you could listen to your relaxation CD over and over to stay calmer??

I hope it works out for you.

Arwen · Post by **Arwen** » Thu Jun 04, 2009 3:02 pm

Larry,
It may take a little time to find a dentist who will work with you and offer alternative approaches, but it's possible.

I used to get nitrous oxide, but then it didn't work so well for me anymore. I went to a couple of dentists when I moved here, but they were not so nice... One didn't want to treat me because of my anxiety. The one who advertised as a dentist for the nervous wasn't nice at all - and he gave me a shot with something that made me react just like epinephrin (levonordefrin), and it didn't even help to take several Clonazepams afterwards. We had to cancel the whole session, and he was not very nice about it.

Now I have finally found a local dentist who is incredibly patient and understanding, and I'm trying conscious sedation to have some major work done - he'll give me a pill that makes me drowsy and causes amnesia. He will also use a local injection that does not have epi or anything similar to it. It can wear off more quickly, but I don't actually mind the injections so much - most dentists I have been to, are very gentle and good at doing it slowly so it doesn't hurt at all.

Some dentists also do laser surgery, which reduces the risk of bleeding from the gums even without the epi.