Lidocaine

[kocoach]

Hello Forum Members; two days ago I went to see my Dr, at the VA Hospital as my knee pain was so severe. We decided to go with lidocaine and I don't know what else was in the injection. It worked great taking the pain away but later that evening while sitting in front of my computer I felt very strong flutter in my chest and thought my hearts trying to go into afib, so I got my oximeter out and it showed HR of 180. I took it off and tried to relax then took another reading and HR was 40, dropping down to 36 for a second then back up to 40 where it stayed for about 30-45 minutes then shot up to 144 then 120's until I went to bed. The next day it was anywhere from 89 to 120. which it is today. My question is this is the longest I have stayed in afib since being on amiodarone as in 24 hours it converts on it's own. It's now been about 48 hours since getting the lidocaine shots and I am still in afib. Does this mean after almost 35 years with paroxysmal afib I am now in permanent afib? I read on line that lidocaine is used to treat ventricle afib. Any explanation or thoughts would be very appreciated. My blood pressure is normal 99-108 over 66-80.

Thank You

[CDreamer]

Lidocaine as a local anaesthetic is very effective, it also reduces blood loss so effective with any wound as has a vasoconstricting effect because it contains Adrenalin which is not a good mix with AF. Most of us tend to avoid it at dentists etc as it can cause fast AF.

Most doctors are incredibly careful using Lidocaine and would dilute or use an alternative if you have AF. I just had skin surgery and had local with out adrenaline so the wound bled much more and the anaesthesia was less effective but no AF.

I would suggest that you are experiencing the effects of the adrenaline. Can you see your heart doc? Sooner rather than later as the sooner the AF is converted the less likely it will be that AF becomes persistent or permanent.

[kocoach in reply to CDreamer]

I will email my EP immediately or go to ER. Thank You so much for response.

[opal11uk in reply to CDreamer]

that answers a question for me, I had a fall 2 years ago and broke my hip necessitating emergency hip replacement and from then have been in permanent A/F.......

[kocoach in reply to opal11uk]

I went to the ER yesterday and spent a few hours on a bed being monitored. HR 126, BP 116/79, but was in RVR which I still am now, going on 4 days. The nurse said I had to wait until Lidocaine and whatever else was in the injections to be purged from my system. I told her the Dr. who gave me the shots was hoping they last for 3 months and would I have to wait that long? She said NO it's not the same thing, the medication would be out of my system but would still be working in my knees. Never Again!! I hope you will convert to NSR and will be praying for you.

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[kocoach in reply to CDreamer]

I just want to THANK you again for your rely which was spot on. I converted to NSR this morning and my cardiologist called me and she echoed the same thing you said. You and your Loved Ones have a Joyous and Blessed Christmas!!!!! Thank You.

[Omniscient1]

Permanent AF, no, give it a few weeks... Hopefully you'll return to NSR in that time

[kocoach in reply to Omniscient1]

I went to the ER yesterday and spent a few hours on a bed being monitored. HR 126, BP 116/79, but was in RVR which I still am now, going on 4 days. The nurse said I had to wait until Lidocaine and whatever else was in the injections to be purged from my system. I told her the Dr. who gave me the shots was hoping they last for 3 months and would I have to wait that long? She said NO it's not the same thing, the medication would be out of my system but would still be working in my knees. Never Again!!