Adrenaline Injection!

[2000RedRose]

Has anyone experienced an adrenaline injection??I had one 2Weeks ago that will never be forgotten, as I thought my heart was giving up .It was during a visit to my dentist for a double tooth extraction to freeze the gum ,and my reaction was extremely hard thumping of my heart against my body ,that caused all my upper body and shoulder and arms to shake violently .I finally managed to stop it by using my deep breathing exercises,but it was a very frightening experience,as I felt my heart was thumping to get out of my body ,and even my voice was struggling to make a noise.I would be interested to know if anyone else has experienced this ,or am I just allergic to adrenaline .??

[BobD Volunteer]

That is why we always recommend asking your dentist for adrenaline free local anaesthetics!

[2000RedRose in reply to BobD]

Thanks for advice BobD , but 1-I wasn’t aware the advice was NO adrenaline to be requested ,and 2–I didn’t know I was going to be injected with adrenaline.—However advice NOW definitely noted

[Megams in reply to 2000RedRose]

~I always make sure that any surgical procedure, dental or otherwise that no adrenaline be used.I re-remind each time too - "they" are never offended.

Certainly a valuable lesson for both sides despite the extreme unpleasantness - you handled it very well ~

[pusillanimous in reply to 2000RedRose]

Did you not have to complete a form outlining your medical history before the dentist performed any procedure?

[Tototcx]

You're not allergic to adrenaline. I had exactly the same last summer when I had a double injection too for 2 big fillings on the same side. My actual heart rate came down quite quickly and I was left with some peripheral shaking in my arms and legs for about an hour. My Fitbit recorded my heart rate went up to 182 in seconds. My dentist was excellent. He talked to me and explained what was happening and why and reassured me that it would pass. He said that the injection had definitely not gone into a blood vessel (they can tell) but what probably happened was that because it was such a big injection the adrenaline had leaked over into a blood vessel and gone around my body instead of staying in the local area. Thats why they put adrenaline in the injection to stop the local anaesthetic leaching out and keeps it in a small area by contracting the little blood vessels so that it lasts longer. Apparently it happens about once a week in their practice.its very common. I guess it's like a really bad panic attack. When I plucked up courage to go back(about 2months later!) he gave me the injection with no adrenaline and it was fine. The anaesthetic worked great but doesn't last as long though so I had to go back twice.

It really freaked me out at the time but as time has passed I can see what happened now.

If you talk to your dentist he probably wouldn't use adrenaline on you again!

Hope this helps.

[2000RedRose in reply to Tototcx]

Thankyou Tototcx for all that explanation and advice .Greatly appreciated and I will definitely insist on any future injections being without adrenaline.All the best .

[Buffafly]

I completely collapsed last time I had an injection with adrenaline at the dentist. That was before I was diagnosed with AF. I have even had a surgical extraction with an adrenaline free injection since then.

In case you don’t know you shouldn’t take cold and flu remedies with phenylephrine in or NSAIDs.

[2000RedRose in reply to Buffafly]

Oh Buffafly ,I thought my experience was horrendous and frightening ,but to completely collapse ,is even worse .I will also be demanding Adrenaline free injections in future.Thanks for the advice also, regarding the cold/flu injections but I never actually take them .Take care and we’ll try to keep smiling.

[Buffafly in reply to 2000RedRose]

I just sagged gently towards the floor saying ‘All of me is going numb’ when the dentist asked if my tooth was going numb. Came round to see dentist pointing out blue fingertips to the nurse 😰 so scary in that sense but your reaction sounds 😱

[pottypete1]

Yes it happened to me many years ago. The dentist injected right in the back near the hinge of my jaw.

It was one of the most awful experiences I have ever had.

My current dentist has a big note on my file saying Adrenaline free anaesthetic must be used.

Pete

[2000RedRose]

Well, Pottypete1 that’s exactly what I intend demanding he puts in my file in big RED letters —NO ADRENALINE. It’s just such an awful and unforgettable experience, as you obviously know .It does give me small comfort though, knowing I’m not alone with this awful memory .Thank you for your input.Best wishes - 2000Red Rose

[opal11uk]

Always ask for an Adrenaline free anaesthetic, usually once asked for it goes on your medical notes.

[Leeson]

I always tell my dentist that I can't take adrenalin because of the reaction to my heart, beacaus of AF, they can use a numbing injection that has none in it, and if you your dentist says they dont do it, change dentists, not worth the reaction, same if you go into surgery.

[Ascb]

Just the once! My usual dentist knows to use adrenaline free anaesthetic, but I needed to go to a specialist dentist for a tricky extraction. I honestly didn't know why I was shaking and my heart was thumping - at first I thought I must be more anxious than I realised. Then it dawned on me.

Adrenaline free injections take longer to kick in and don't last as long so I suppose that's why this particular one didn't use it.

Not pleasant!

[Ablation7 in reply to Ascb]

Yes, that’s why they don’t use it. the oral surgeon I go to gets annoyed that I won’t take the adrenaline in my Novocain. He tells me I’m more likely to get afib from the pain of the adrenaline-free version. I had a vaso-vagal event at the dentist after adrenaline Novocain years ago before being diagnosed with afib. I was very nervous to go back. I now always confirm that I am getting Adrenalin-free.

[Gumbie_Cat]

I was lucky - I had gone into A Fib on the day that I was getting a large filling. (Rate controlled by dronedarone, but it wasn’t great with rhythm for me.) The dentist immediately said that she would need to use a ‘less effective injection’. It wasn’t too bad in the end, but I ended up with a numb face for longer - like in the old days.Anyway, when I immediately felt my cheek swell up, the dentist explained that the adrenaline was usually there as a vasoconstrictor, to stop the anaesthetic moving away from the site of injection. Must admit that I now dread anything like root canal work or extractions! Crossing fingers and obsessively brushing teeth 😂

[Singwell]

Yes, but years ago and before AF. And not as acute as your reaction. I remarked to the dentist that my heart was racing I felt like I'd had a double expresso with sugar in it! "Oh you can't possibly feel that, there's adrenaline in it but it's minimal". I'm a meditator and spoke to my meditation coach of the time about it. "Oh yes, most of us can feel that. Ask for adrenaline free" he said. Ever since I've insisted on that.

[JOY2THEWORLD49]

HiWhow.

I watched 2 puppies adrenalised!

They were just born and were not breathing.

I can imagine it works like a 'kick start'. They got it.

But these pups ended up with heart conditions.

The last pup of 5 was managed by vet - no nurse and he whirled the pup around by its tail. He ended up OK.

I guess being the last was OK to stay longer. I had to drive 1/2 hr and then wait for vet.The former pups one was squashed within days and the other lived 3 years. Of course they were given away.

The first two were big males and were long dead. A caesarian section was done and I had her spade during operation.

Sounds like your heart stopped! I hope it did otherwise that would be a lifetime experience. With o GA. Even cardiconversion is under G.Anaesthetic.

cheri JOY. 73. (NZ)

[DawnTX in reply to JOY2THEWORLD49]

😵‍💫

[Brizzy50000]

Not wishing to make too light of the situation but you would be lucky to find a dentist in my neck of the woods in the uk🙂

[Ducky2003]

I've had mild palpitations in the past but my dentist now uses adrenaline free. However, I have a tooth which refuses to numb up with the stuff, despite half a dozen injections as the numbing effect is extremely short lived with the adrenaline free.There is a low adrenaline version called Articaine, which my dentist has asked me to chat to my cardiac team about using in future.

[Tapanac]

Yes I had that once when I was having an MRI scan and they gave me a contrast through the cannula and I had to press the panic button. They rushed in and stopped the machine and gave me another injection to slow everything down. I also had a similar experience although not as bad in the dentist. Now whenever I have anything injection wise i have to say beforehand none with adrenaline in itHorrible experience isn’t it

All the best

Pat

PS….I used to get similar to that before my ablation and before I started on flecainide that it felt my heart was beating out of my chest snd that it was the settee/chair/bed moving not me it was so fierce

[2000RedRose in reply to Tapanac]

yes Tapanac that’s exactly the feeling I had —as if my heart was beating and thumping out of my chest and I had to sit up in shock then started the shaking as well .I thought my heart would eventually give up and that would be it !!!Dentist and nurse just stood and watched.Dentist tried to keep me talking but even speech was hard to get out.

[Tapanac in reply to 2000RedRose]

Yes awful wan't it. Hope you are OK now x

[Dolly1234567]

Yup defo next time ask the dentist for adrenaline free treatment 😊 keep smiling 🙂

[Yachtgirl]

I had a similar experience, it must rate as one of the worst in my life. I always say no adrenaline to my dentist.

[2000RedRose in reply to Yachtgirl]

Absolutely right — one of my worst experiences undoubtedly!

[Bawdy]

I had a terrible experience having 5 teeth removed in the chair, had no idea about the adrenaline till my heart jumped out of my chest. The dentist grabbed my wrist to feel my pulse, this was the first I knew about what he was doing. It was an awful experience, I will never forget, but there was two weeks of such pain in my mouth that to eat was impossible after the procedure . No help from the clinic. I had no idea to ask for adrenaline free injection, nice in hindsight. Not all of us are so well informed. BUT I do know now, all the best to you.

[greg35 in reply to Bawdy]

Yes happened to me and my daughter we are both adrenaline free at the dentist a truly scary experience! I always remind them just in case!

[2000RedRose in reply to Bawdy]

thank you Bawdy ,Glad I wasn’t alone in having this never to forget experience .

[mcpacs]

I told my dentist to not use adrenaline (also called epinephrine) in my numbing injection. He tried to convince me to go ahead and use it because he said the heart racing reaction would only last a few seconds. I think he said the reason they use adrenaline is because the numbing feeling would not last as long, or not be as effective, without the adrenaline. I told him not to use the adrenaline in the injection anyway and he did not, and the procedure went fine without it.

[Lainie2875]

why would the Dentist give you Adrenoline ? My friend had a similar reaction with the lidocaine as it was injected into her vein by mistake at the dentist are you sure it wasn’t that ?

[mcpacs in reply to Lainie2875]

The Lidocaine that is used to numb the area around the tooth has adrenaline in it. The adrenaline is not a separate injection. But they can give you Lidocaine without the adrenaline added.

[2000RedRose in reply to Lainie2875]

Yes Lainie the nurse later blurted out that it was JUST the Adrenaline and would soon stop ,so that was the first I knew of it !!

[Janith]

Never ever have an adrenaline injection … that is what we should avoid … you are fortunate that it didn’t cause you to go into afib … live and learn! Glad that you are okay.

[2000RedRose in reply to Janith]

thanks Janith for your good wishes .I really didn’t think I would come out of the experience on this side of the planet —It was as bad as that !!

[Snowgirl65]

Many years ago during a tooth extraction where I was given Novocain, I experienced quivering as if I were freezing -- I thought it was from extreme fear! I later learned many others experience that reaction, and that I could ask for Novocain without epinephrine.

[Dollcollector]

l had no idea this could happen . Why doesn't the cardiologist warn us?

[2000RedRose in reply to Dollcollector]

yes Dollcollector I agree with that question .RedRose!!

[DawnTX]

you should get several people answering you on this. I have not dealt with it but I have read on here from various people about making sure you don’t get the Novocain with the adrenaline. That had to be so frightening. I am glad you were OK. I know others on here will elaborate about what happened