Dentist Visit: Epi Shot?

[Lynn CC]

I had a root canal and my dentist gave me an epi shot before the procedure. I thought it was just part of the novacaine(I wasn't expecting it). I felt like I had to sit up eveything went spotty and my heart was racing like I ran a marathon. The assistant offered me a glass of water, then I noticed I was shaking when I tried to drink it. She told me to try to stay calm and take deep breaths. She was wonderful.

I am so afraid to go back and have another root canal or anything done because this was so scary for me, I almost started crying in the office and just wanted to run out of there. My heart was still beating irregular that evening at times.

Anyone else experience anything like this? I've never heard of an epi shot given for a root canal, Have you?

I think I'll ask to have it put in my chart NO EPI!
When I asked the dentist what happened he said it went right into my bloodstream. He gives them to constrict the vessels so there isn't bleeding during procedures. I was speechless, because I'm not up to date with these kinds of things I guess.

 

[Muffy]

My understanding of this is that the epinephrine in the novacain can cause this if the doc hits a blood vessel. Your mouth and gums are very vascular. This is why the doc goes into so many places in your gum to deliver the shot. You can request novacain without epinephrine. I've heard of this happening and it is quite scary. I'm glad you're alright.

 

[Christine]

I had this happen to me when I went to my dermatologist to get a bunch of "stuff" removed off of my face.

She injected my face all over with the lidocaine (mixed with epi). Apparently it went "vascular" at some point and I had the same reaction as you. Mine lasted for several hours and it was awful.

I was later told that the face area is full of blood vessels and I guess if to much epi gets into them you have this reaction.

Just for the future, asked to be numbed with the novacaine that does not contain epinephrine--they do have it.

 

[Swimnoid]

I am not allowed to have epi because of a condition I have so the dentist has to give me lidocaine or whatever without it. Then I just bleed a little longer but its not a problem.

 

[miste76]

I can give you a little info on this. This reaction is not common but not rare either. The dentist (or asst) was correct, the numbing medication (usually lidocaine or septocaine) has epinephrine in it... and if it is injected directly into a vein, then you will feel the exact symptoms that you described. The symptoms disappear within a few minutes.
Epinephrine is a substance that is found naturally in the body and is administered in very low doses in conjunction with the lidocaine/septocaine. Without Epi, the lidocaine's effect is about 20 minutes. So, unless your dentist is really, really, really fast... you're better off getting the epi.
It is unlikely that you will have the same reaction next time that you had previously. Let me know if you have any questions...

 

[rascalmom]

The septocaine or lidocaine used for most dental procedures has a ratio of 1:100 epi. Endodontists (root canal specialists) use a 1:50 ratio (some general dentists do too).

It may be that the higher concentration caused you more sensitivity. It could also be that the dentist hit an artery, which caused the epi to go straight into your blood stream. With a careful injection, the dentist should be able to avoid that.

Septo & lido are availabe without the ephinephrine. If you are concerned about another reaction, ask that they not use epi on you.

PM if you have questions. DH is sitting here with me today (we're iced in!) and would be happy to answer any questions.

 

[Lynn CC]

I have to go in to start another root canal later this month and I'm also getting 2 molar implants an upper and a lower. I'm not a big baby, but when it comes to the dentist I feel that way.

I'll talk to my dentist to see what he suggests so I don't have that reaction again. If that happens again, that will be it for me, I don't like to feel that way at all. I'll never go back, until the next time I have to! LOL

He did say it went directly into my bloodstream, he just shoots that novacaine right in, it KILLS everytime which is why I'm afraid in the first place. It's enough to make a grown man cry, I'm not kidding. I white Knucke my dental visit everytime. I don't want to switch because he's a cosmetic dentist and really is the best from the Cape through Boston. His results are spectacular, just painful!

thanks for the suggestions, I'll see what he thinks.