Dental appointment, adrenaline-free jabs and AF

[jennydog]

i had a routine appointment on Friday to have an old filling replaced. As I waited to go into reception I realized that my heartbeat felt irregular. Not for the first time I told myself that Bob says that AF will not kill you. I had flecainide with me in the car but no liquid to aid swallowing (another lesson learned) so a pip was not possible.My dentist is highly qualified, a "Dr" and she understands AF. Warfarin and Pradaxa have not fazed her. I was able to ask about adrenaline-free injections to prevent heart arrhythmia. She said that there wasn't enough adrenaline in the HALF sized amount used. It would take THREE to have an effect.

I left with a frozen gum, a new filling, a steady heartbeat and a lighter wallet.

[Finvola]

Interesting jennydog - anticipation of dental miseries are enough to set my heart off too.

I wonder did your dentist mean 3 injections? Before AF I had 2 or 3 jags each time - I loved the roof of the mouth one - ugh. For my last filling I had 3 or 4 - all adrenaline free.

Well done for coping so well. xx

[jennydog in reply to Finvola]

Finvola i couldn't remember exactly whether she said half of a unit/capsule/vial/standard dose or what.It was specifically HALF. She used that half size dose to inject my tooth from 2 different angles. She certainly didn't feel the need to use adrenaline-free and I'm quite sure that she would have done so if she had thought it necessary.

[checkmypulse]

Yes interesting, I recently attended dentist for a filling, asked for an adrenaline free jab and was given one without any further question.

[vovvarna22]

I have been on Warfarin for about 4 years. Even before that, I did not have adrenalin dental injections as they tended to make me feel faint. No problems at all with the adrenalin free ones.

[jennydog in reply to vovvarna22]

vovvarna and Checkmypulse. I wonder if my dentist is using a new product that contains very little adrenaline and is therefore suitable for more people.

[Thomas45]

A few times when I was on Flecainide and found I didn't have any liquid and couldn't buy any I'd swallow Flecainide dry. It's an absolutely revolting taste, and numbs your tongue, but it always worked. As I'm now on persistent AF I no longer take Flecainide.

[jennydog in reply to Thomas45]

Thomas45 I know that flecainide tastes vile. I was also afraid because the tablets are quite powdery.

I do hope that your persistent AF causes less problems than your previous PAF.

Best wishes

[secondtry]

Hi Jenny, lots of things come to mind with your post mainly for others as I know you are a regular and will have read a lot already, so brief only notes re AF follow:

Always see your dentist, as oral hygiene is a must. I insist on Adrenaline free for my own peace of mind, worked fine for fillings and an extraction. Keep working on lifestyle and diet/supplements, in the past a visit to an Alternative Practitioner has set off my AF but now no issue with APs or dentist. Also, recognise that if such visits kick off AF, learn as much as you can about the Vagus Nerve. Be wary about removing mercury fillings,very few dentists do it safely with all the precautions; yes they should come out but not if it causes havoc with your digestive system.

Hope something there helps someone. Enjoy your day everybody!

[P0rtnahapp1e]

I had a severe reaction to an injection from my dentist thirty years ago and have had details of this episode on my dental notes ever since. (Very high heart rate and dangerously low blood pressure). This was long before AF was diagnosed.

Nowadays I have antibiotics three hours before any dental or hygienist work incase of infection and always have adrenaline free injections. Various dentists over the years have explained that the lack of adrenaline simply means that more of the injection is used as without it the local anaesthetic effect doesn’t spread so readily, but pools in one place.

[jennydog in reply to P0rtnahapp1e]

That's interesting. The hygienist's work is far more intensive than that of the average dentist! When I mentioned to my dentist that I had seen a lot of recent publicity about poor dental hygiene impacting on heart health she replied " Yes, it's all connected."I hope that your health continues to improve following your prolonged hospital stay.

[P0rtnahapp1e in reply to jennydog]

Thanks jennydog . I’m fine as long as I stay away from anyone in the medical profession. They tend to infer that my condition is a lot more serious than I feel, which is a bit unnerving 😀

[terryw]

Hi Jenny. I had a filling about a week ago down to the root. The Dentist gave me two adrenaline -free injections because she said that they were not as strong as the normal one. Terry

[Joynjoy]

The things you learn here! I didn't know there was adrenaline in the injections, it explains the 'funny' feelings I often get. I've never been offered any alternative! Maybe my dentist isn't as kind as I thought?????

[jennydog]

Joynjoy my dentist has a complete list of my medical problems and medication. She always checks for any alteration. There have been posts recently about problems with warfarin and NOACs at dentists and it's obvious that there is some misunderstanding at some clinics. Does your dentist understand the implications of AF?

My post was intended to raise awareness because a number of people had reported adrenaline problems. Always remember KNOWLEDGE IS POWER.

Best wishes.

[Joynjoy]

Thanks for raising awareness! If we don't know, we can't help ourselves. I'm feeling pretty silly too, I've never told my current dentist about the 'funny' feelings! They've been going on for years of treatments, must be 30 years since I nearly flaked out in the chair. My dentist at that time said it was due to having had no breakfast. So I eat before a visit and keep quiet about any wobbles. Now I know, to be more aware, to be more sensible.

I'm grateful to you and this forum.