Adrenaline

[Patsy33]

When at the Dentist earlier, I was asked if I wanted to numb gum for small filling. I said I would. After injection, I felt very agitated, my heart was beating very fast. I asked Dentist to wait a couple of minutes because of these feelings. She e explained that's because of the adrenaline that's in the local anaesthetic. Apparently, it comes in different strengths. I never knew this before. I explained I was on bete blockers for a fast heart beat already! So next time she will use anaesthetic without adrenaline. Did any of you know/ experienc this?

[woofgang]

no but she should have checked first!

[jno]

oh yes, I think that happened to me once. My heart was okay so no problem but I did wonder what was happening till the dentist explained.

[Sqad]

Adrenaline with a local anaesthetic in a patient on beta Blockers is not a problem.

Adrenaline is a vasoconstrictor (narrows blood vessels) and when given with a local anaesthetic, deters the anaesthetic from departing from the site of injection and hence prolongs the period of anaesthesia.

No big deal.

[Patsy33]

That's what I thought...It's all on my records. I heard her say quietly to her assistant, no more adrenaline next time..

[woofgang]

may not be risky sqad but its nice to be told these things!

[Patsy33]

Thanks sqad. Is this a relatively new thing? I've never experienced this before. It was very unpleasant for a few minutes I must say...

[Patsy33]

Woof, Yes, would have been nice to have been told!

[Sqad]

Patsy...fairly new.....perhaps 50 years old.;-)
As a medical student in the 1950's all local injections were given with adrenaline....for the reasons i have given.

[Sqad]

woofy,,,I don't agree....all you need to be told is that"this injection will numb your tooth"
Why do you want to know the contents of the injection?

[Patsy33]

Perhaps I had one with the most adrenaline in then! :-)
Like I said, never experienced this before.

[jno]

Sqad, shouldn't you also be told "and you may feel your heart racing" if this is the case? It's a discombobulating feeling but nobody would worry if they'd been warned.

[Sqad]

jno.....in my opinion Patsy's heart was not racing because of the adrenaline, but because she was nervous.
Simple as that.

[woofgang]

and feeling that you can't trust your dentist or doctor helps with nervousness how?

[Patsy33]

You're wrong sqad! I felt quite relaxed before anaesthetic. Seems strange I'd never felt this reaction before...

[Sqad]

LOL...woofy....who has said anything about not trusting your Dr/dentist?

If telling him/her what is in the injection increases your trust.....then fine go ahead.

[Sqad]

Patsy....OK I am wrong.

[woofgang]

I am going to screen print this screen and post it on this day every year!

[Mamyalynne]

I bet he had his fingers crossed Woof.

[jno]

Sqad, it was the same with me as with Patsy, I only ever had it happen once despite my gums being a pincushion from how many injections I've had. I can't say I like them but they don't start my heart racing with fear.

It's not a matter of knowing the contents of the injection but of being prepared for possible side-effects. Is there any other likely explanation apart from adrenaline?

[Sqad]

jno.....I have nothing to add to what I have already said.