Dental anaesthetics and MSA

[Slinkyvagabond]

Hi All - my partner is recently diagnosed with MSA and I am the designated fighter of battles, organiser and unqualified nurse. He is having some dental pain and I have made an appointment for him but I wondered if there are any known issues with dental anaesthetics (local). I queried this on booking the appointment but was not able to get an immediate answer. I would rather not put him through the anxiety and stress of the trip (he is quite needle phobic) if the advice when we get there is that he cannot have a local. Any advice or experiences would be appreciated.

[Derkie54]

Hello,

Fighter of battles.....very good description.

That's a good question and I'll try not to ramble on but last year my wife swallowed her denture so there was a hasty trip to A & E. They were a bit reluctant to book theatre time as they said people with MSA do not have good muscle control. They opted for a local anaesthetic spray and eventually removed it ( a tense few hours ).

Now when we go to the dentist I always remind them that she has MSA and poor muscle control, it's up to them to provide a duty of care and decide on the best approach.

Our dentist is very good and we have agreed on minimal treatment and he leaves L in her wheelchair as well which she likes.

Not sure if this helps much but just trying to say that you have to remind them of MSA so you can get appropiate treatment, if your partner is needlephobic could they use a spray or cream ?

[Slinkyvagabond in reply to Derkie54]

Thanks for the response - that sounds like it was pretty frightening for you both. I think the spray or cream are excellent suggestions and have added that info to my (copious) notes that travel to all the appointments with us. I appreciate the input.

[Yanno]

Hi there

I can't speak for everyone with MSA however my Jackie has had dental treatment involving local aesthetic without any issue. We have an excellent local dentist in Worcestershire where I transfer her into the dentist chair in a downstairs room and they were exceptionally understanding of the care needed due to her postural hypertension when it was at its worse.

As far as being needle phobic, I suspect this is something most dentists have to be aware of. Our dentist massages the gum at the same time as injecting which apparently spreads the aesthetic and relives the pain from the initial needle prick - it seems to work for Jackie and me anyway.

Just one very small general point. When we talk about MSA with health professionals we always use the full name Multiple System Trophy to ensure they haven't confused the condition with any other. We also always have to hand a copy of the excellent MSA trust guide to multiple system atrophy to give them.

Take care, Ian

[Slinkyvagabond in reply to Yanno]

Hi and thank you for the response. This was my first post here and I am grateful for the input. I take your advice to heart about using the full name of the illness and taking a copy of the information with me.

[esj20]

Morning,

My dentist is great, there yesterday, and she is very good.

I have swallowing difficulties and poor muscle control, so she keeps treatment to the minimum.

I don't like needles either, so I'm always guided by her as to whether I really need one.

MSA is a little-known condition, so just make sure they listen to you.

Yours

Alec

[Slinkyvagabond in reply to esj20]

Thank you - sounds like you have the same difficulties as my partner. I will be very clear with the dentist. Thanks again for the response.

[Blanchedevereaux]

I had 2 teeth extracted-used Novocain and had laughing gas. I was told I could not have a local and didn’t have any pain!

[Slinkyvagabond in reply to Blanchedevereaux]

Thank you - that's useful info.